Page 62 of Kiss the Bride

“Even now that you know how much trouble my big mouth can get us in?”

He shook his head. “I’ve known that since the day I met you. Besides …” He slung one arm around her shoulders and steered her in the direction of the Captain’s Cottage. “You owe me a dinner at Bow Tie Pasta. You haven’t paid up yet. I won’t give up on you until you do.”

They laughed then and cut through the park, arm in arm. The soft grass whispered beneath their feet. Birds chirped in the trees. From the street came the steady clop-clop-clop of horses’ hooves as another bride rode past in the back of a carriage. With Evelyn at his side and a recommendation from Weddings Today in his pocket, everything was right in his world.

Well, not quite. There was one debt he needed to repay. Unless he was sadly mistaken, Curtis had covered for him with Regina Charm. The photographer might prefer to blend into the background, but he’d watched the man work. Ryan doubted very little escaped his notice. He stuck his hand in his pocket and whistled. He owed Curtis a drink. It was a debt he’d gladly pay tomorrow, after Brianna and Daniel said their “I do’s” at Harbor View Weddings.

Chapter Seventeen

Activity hummed in the bride’s dressing room of Harbor View Weddings. A makeup artist from Perfectly Flawless Day Spa brushed a final dusting of powder across Brianna’s nose. Seated in a plush white styling chair, the bride practically glowed in a puffy white robe. Her hair in large rollers, she waited for the stylist to work a miracle by turning her straight locks into masses of ringlets around an elegant updo.

Thunder rumbled, the noise more ominous than it’d been a short time earlier. A distant flash of lightning caught Brianna’s attention, and she stirred nervously. “Do you think the storm will hold off until after the wedding?”

Not likely. Evelyn, who’d been checking the weather reports on her phone every five minutes, tucked the device in her pocket. An isolated thunderstorm was predicted to hit their area within the next half hour. With any luck, they’d have clear skies again in time for the reception. Not that it mattered. The building was sturdy—Ryan had made sure of that. The cake, the flowers, the gift bags had already been delivered.

He’d even drafted Daniel’s groomsmen to form an umbrella brigade, if necessary.

“You never told me if you and Daniel enjoyed the day yesterday,” she said, trying to distract the bride from the darkening skies. “What did you end up doing?”

“First, we went for a long run along that path Ryan showed us. We’d skipped our usual run the last couple of days, so it felt good to get out and stretch our legs. Then we had a couple’s massage at the spa, and I got a mani/pedi.” She splayed her fingers for Evelyn to see. “My first ever!” She laughed. “After that, we took a carriage ride to the rehearsal and back. Then, on to dinner.”

“Aww! That sounds wonderful! I’m glad you had time to enjoy yourselves after all the stress of the past week.”

“We did. I …” Brianna cast a worried look out the window as another peal of thunder sounded. “Um, how does everything look out there?” She indicated the area beyond the door.

“Beautiful,” Evelyn offered, her conviction strong. “The colors you picked, the floral arrangements, the gift bags, they look stunning together. Mildred Morrey and her crew are nearly done with the bower. I have to admit, I’ve never seen burgundy dahlias used in a wedding before. These are absolutely gorgeous. They go perfectly with the rest of the color scheme.”

Brianna nodded. “I can’t wait to see it!” She glanced at the confection of appliquéd lace over matted white silk hanging from a hook in the ceiling. “Is it almost time to put on my dress?”

Evelyn gave her an indulgent smile. The ball gown would stay right where it was for a while longer. “Relax. Enjoy your day. It’s still hours before the ceremony. We’ll get you into your gown an hour or so before. Curtis will want to take photos before you walk down the aisle.” At Brianna’s disappointed face, she suggested, “You should probably eat something. Can I make you a plate?” A small table draped in Brianna’s colors held a sampling of Chef Hubbard’s favorite dishes.

“I’m not sure I could eat a bite. I’m so nervous.” Outside, thunder rolled across the sky. Brianna stared out the window. On the other side of the glass, rain pelted down at a good clip. “Daniel’s already here, isn’t he? And his friends? Have you seen him?”

“Yes, he’s here, and I’ve seen him. He looks, oh—” She pressed one hand to her chest. “So handsome in his dress uniform. His attendants are all in the groom’s dressing room with him. They’re a good-looking bunch.” She fingered the thin box in her pocket. “If you’re ready, I have a special something for you.”

Brianna bit her lower lip. “You’ve already done so much. You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Oh, this isn’t from me,” she corrected. “I guess I could’ve phrased that better. It’s a gift from your aunt.”

“Aunt Sheila?”

Nodding, she slipped the slim box from her pocket. She closed the short distance between them and placed it in Brianna’s hands.

“What is it?” The woman gave the box a tiny shake.

“You’ll have to open it.”

Careful not to ruin her manicure, the young bride removed the lid. She sucked in a sharp breath and stared down at the pearls nestled in soft cotton.

“They were—”

“My mother’s,” Brianna finished. She looked up through tear-filled eyes. “But how? Where?”

“Your Aunt Sheila planned to give them to you today. When she found out she couldn’t make it, she asked me to act in her stead.”

“I thought they were lost,” Brianna whispered in an awestruck tone. She held up the strand. The pearls glowed in the light. “After Mama and Daddy …” She swallowed.

“Your aunt has been keeping them for you. I’m sure she can fill you in on all the details. She said your mom dreamed of seeing you walk down the aisle wearing these pearls.”

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