Page 42 of Kiss the Bride

She reached a spur-of-the-moment decision on the sidewalk. “Hey, you all go on back to the Cottage. I’ll meet you at Forget Me Knot.”

“You’re sure?”

“Need to stretch my legs.” She also needed to sort out her feelings for a certain tall, blond carpenter. Not that she was willing to share that thought with anyone just yet. “I’ll grab a bite while I’m here in town.”

She traded silent nods with Ryan. There’d been a moment on the porch when she would’ve sworn he’d been about to ask her out. Her mouth had gone dry with anticipation. Her heart had beat as fast as a hummingbird’s. Then Brianna and Daniel had stepped onto the porch and … nothing. Like someone had flipped a switch, his interest had shifted. Had she read the situation wrong? Had he been about to ask her something else entirely? Something about the weather?

Ugh! Her thoughts were so all over the place, she didn’t even know whether or not she’d accept. If and when he did ask her. She clenched and unclenched her fingers to release the tension. Yeah, right. Who did she think she was kidding?

Chapter Eleven

Under a shade tree on Bridal Carriage Way, Ryan scrolled through the messages on his phone. He scanned a text from his mom, who wanted to know if she could count on him for Sunday dinner. A muscle in his jaw twitched. He hated to disappoint her, but sharing another tense meal with his father and brothers was not the way he wanted to spend the day. Fortunately, Wedding-in-a-Week gave him just the excuse he needed. He dashed off a quick reply and scanned the phone again.

When he didn’t spot a text from Evelyn, he delivered a swift kick to the mental seat of his pants. He should’ve asked her out while they were at Eat, Drink and Be Married. Sure, she might’ve turned him down—again. But wasn’t it worth the risk to find out? Ever since they’d started working together, she’d surprised him with her down-to-earth approach to life. He’d been even more shocked by how much he enjoyed being around her. She made him laugh. When life threw her a curveball, she dealt with it.

He nodded. He wouldn’t hesitate again. The next time he had a minute alone with her, he’d ask Evelyn out. He smiled as a shiver of nervous energy passed through him. He could hardly wait to put this new plan into motion.

Apparently, though, his plan would have to wait, because a familiar Town Car had just pulled to the curb in front of Forget Me Knot Flowers. No matter how much he wanted to explore his growing attraction for a certain feisty redhead, his first obligation lay in helping to give their Wedding-in-a-Week couple a perfect wedding. He tossed the dregs of his now-cold coffee into the trash and summoned a ready smile for the couple.

But something had gone horribly wrong.

He knew it as sure as he knew his own name the instant he saw Brianna’s tight expression. Emerging from the car behind his bride-to-be, Daniel didn’t look one whit happier. Worry lines etched the normally cheerful groom’s brow. When he reached for her hand, Brianna moved out of his reach.

Ryan tapped his foot on the sidewalk. Had they had a fight? Decided to call off the wedding? No matter what had happened, he had to intervene. He ventured a tentative, “Um, Brianna? Daniel? How was lunch?”

The question earned him a scathing look that, in retrospect, he had to admit he deserved. He jingled the loose change in his pocket. Whatever had upset the couple, he’d try to help them work it out. However, standing on Bridal Carriage Way in the middle of America’s Top Wedding Destination was not the place to do it. Already, the couple had drawn a few sidelong glances from passersby. If they argued, someone might whip out their cell phone and record the incident. He didn’t want an awkward video to become a souvenir of Daniel and Brianna’s stay in Heart’s Landing. But getting the couple off the sidewalk required more than one pair of hands.

That thought had no sooner crossed his mind than he spotted Evelyn striding toward them. Relief rippled through him. He didn’t think he’d ever felt happier to see the tall redhead than at that moment. He motioned for her to hurry. She didn’t hesitate. She simply picked up her pace. Seconds later, she skidded to a stop at his side.

Peering up at him, she asked, “How can I help?”

“I’ll tell Mildred we’ll be back. Meanwhile, you get them someplace quiet and out of sight.”

“Got it.” She straightened, her shoulders squaring. By the time he slipped through the door of Forget Me Knot, Evelyn had already linked arms with Brianna and Daniel and had them marching in lockstep down the street.

He shook his head. The girl had skills. Trusting that she had everything under control for the time being, he looked for Mildred among the shelves of sweet-smelling greenery. He didn’t have to look far. The owner stood at the window.

“That didn’t look good,” the florist murmured softly when he reached her. “Did they have a spat?”

“Oh, you know. Young love. There’s always drama,” he joked. “We’re going to give them a few minutes to calm down. Can you stall the photographer when he gets here?”

“Already done.” Mildred aimed a thumb toward the workroom in the back. “My niece has taken him on the grand tour. But the store isn’t all that big. Beth won’t be able to keep him entertained long. After that, we’ll have to talk about flowers and hope he nods off.”

“We’ll be back as soon as possible,” he said, offering the only reassurance he had. “You’re the best, you know.” He leaned down to give the plump florist a peck on the cheek.

“Oh, you!” Coloring sweetly, Mildred shook her fingers at him. “That’s what they all say.”

The comment brought a smile he didn’t have to force to his lips and, humming a jaunty tune, he retraced his steps to the door. Outside, he lengthened his stride and quickly arrived at Bow Tie Pasta. He watched in awe as Evelyn approached the black-garbed hostess.

“We’ll need a private room for a bit,” she announced, her firm tone pitched too low to draw unwanted attention.

The woman behind the hostess stand swept one glance over the tight-lipped couple with Evelyn and gave a solemn nod. She grabbed an armload of menus the size of encyclopedias. Seconds later, she wove between tables toward the back of the restaurant.

Ryan let the peaceful atmosphere seep into his soul as he trailed the group past brick walls dotted with framed paintings by local artists. The good smells of olive oil, garlic, and tomato filled the air. Light filtered through narrow, curved windows and reflected softly from the glassware hanging above the bar. He passed a tuxedoed waiter, who quietly explained the day’s specials to a group of businessmen at one table. The sommelier poured sips of wine for a couple at another.

He waited until they were behind the closed doors of a room reserved for private parties before he faced Brianna and Daniel. He cut to the chase. “Okay, what’s this all about?”

Brianna’s lower lip trembled. “Daniel got a phone call over lunch.”

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