Page 58 of Save the Dance

Startled, Jason gave his friend his best aw-shucks smile and tightened his hold on the rope. Lately, he hadn’t been able to think about anything but Tara. “Falling in love should come with a warning label like some medicines. ‘Don’t operate heavy machinery. Stay away from sharp objects.’”

“Oh, man. You’ve got it bad.” Ryan said, but a smile accompanied his grumbles. He sank a few more nails. “Okay. You can let go now. Stand over there with Mildred and Alicia, and tell me how it looks.”

Jason didn’t need a second invitation. While Ryan tucked his hammer into his tool belt, he trotted down the stairs and took his place between the florist and the event planner. On the side porch, tall pots of purple hyacinths stood against a backdrop of gauzy white curtains. More flowers dripped from the archway that he and Tara would pass under when they mounted the steps to join the minister on the veranda.

“I think you nailed it—pun intended,” Jason declared. The day they’d held the taste-testing at I Do Cakes, Tara had been crushed when he’d pointed out the problems with using her favorite flowers in a wedding at this particular location. For today, though, he’d wanted more than anything to fulfill her every wish, even if it meant taking gardening shears to the rose bushes. With a lot of help from friends like Ryan, Alicia and Mildred, that hadn’t been necessary. Now, with the trellises tucked behind sheer drapes and folding chairs arrayed in rows on the lawn, the stage was set for the wedding of Tara’s dreams. He took a deep breath. “What do you think, ladies?”

“She’ll love it! Does she know about any of this?” Mildred’s gesture encompassed row upon row of white chairs, the flower arrangements beside each aisle seat, the white runner Tara would walk down.

“It’s the best-kept secret in Heart’s Landing,” Alicia answered. “We waited till she left for the spa before we began setting up.” She tapped her watch. “She should be back soon.”

“We’d better wrap this up, then.” Toolbox in hand, Ryan joined them. Turning to give his creation one final look, he whistled. “This is the first one of these I’ve built. I have to say, it’s not bad.”

“It’s perfect.” Mildred plucked at Ryan’s shirt sleeve. “Backdrops and arches are the next big thing in weddings. If you want to expand your business, that might not be a bad way to go.”

The man whose family owned one of the largest construction companies in Heart’s Landing gave a noncommittal shrug. “I have my hands full renovating the old Boat Works. It’s been slow going, but I’m almost there. It will be worth it when I’m finished.”

“This town could always use another wedding venue,” Jason pointed out. Reservations at the Captain’s Cottage had soared lately.

Ryan nodded. “That’s what I think. Well, I probably ought to get moving if I’m going be back here on time.”

Jason shook Ryan’s extended hand. “Thanks for everything. I owe you.”

“Consider it my wedding gift for a lady who’s lucky to have you.”

Thinking of Tara, Jason shook his head. “I found my soul mate, a true Heart’s Landing love for the ages. I’m the lucky one.”

“Oh! My! Word!” Evelyn exclaimed as Tara stepped from behind the dressing screen. “Is that— It can’t be. Is that my great-grandmother’s dress?” The redhead’s voice trailed upward.

Tara spun in a slow quarter turn. Silver fringe rippled over the bodice and swished along the hemline. The beads sown in swirling patterns rustled softly. “It is. I sent it to the same restorer who handles the Mary Heart gowns. Isn’t it fabulous?”

She swallowed past the tiniest doubt. She’d fallen in love with the 1920s flapper-style dress the instant she’d taken it from the chifforobe her first day in Heart’s Landing. But had borrowing it from the attic been a mistake?

“You look amazing. Jason is going to lose his mind,” Evelyn stated with firm conviction.

Tara exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I wanted to wear something tied to the Captain’s Cottage, something that would reflect Jason’s love of history and sense of place.”

Tears welled in Evelyn’s eyes. She swiped at them. “Well, you certainly did that. He’ll love it, and he’ll love you all the more for it. If that were even possible.” Her gaze swept upward. “Oh, and that veil! It’s stunning. Where on Earth did you get it? I know we didn’t have that in the wardrobes upstairs.”

“No, that was Ames’s doing.” Three short strands of pearls hung from an ornate button adorning the Juliet cap. The beads swung when Tara ran her fingers over the gossamer fabric. “He had it delivered to the Captain’s Cottage. I hadn’t even told him what I was wearing.”

“He definitely has a knack,” Evelyn answered with stars in her eyes. “I want him to design my veil when I get married. If that day ever comes.”

“It will. Be sure you stand up front when I toss the bouquet.” Evelyn was the closest thing to a sister-in-law she’d ever have. Tara shot her a conspiratorial smile. “Maybe you’ll catch it.”

Evelyn shook her head. “Finding my special someone isn’t in the plan anytime soon. I’ll be too busy running things here at the Captain’s Cottage while you and Jason are on your honeymoon.”

“You never know. Look at Jason and me. We certainly didn’t plan on falling in love. But when it’s right, it’s right.”

Tara pressed one hand over her heart. She’d always wanted a summer wedding, but the thought of waiting till next June had nearly driven her to distraction. Fortunately, Jason hadn’t wanted a long engagement any more than she had. With a droll expression that still made her laugh, he’d assured her he had an “in” with the best venue in town and insisted on handling all the arrangements. She’d snuck a peek at the veranda on her way back from the spa. The backdrop he’d commissioned had turned the space into a fairy tale setting for their wedding and taken her breath away. It was just one more in a long list of reasons why she’d love him forever.

She straightened her engagement ring, eager to have Jason slip a plain gold band on her finger. “Speaking of honeymoons—a month visiting all the great cathedrals in Europe. Isn’t that the best ever?” As was the custom, they’d spend their first night in the Azalea Suite. Tomorrow, they’d board a flight to London and, from there, she and Jason planned to visit all the sites on their list.

“I don’t know who’s looking forward to the trip more—you or Jason.” The clock over the mantle in the bridal dressing room chimed softly. “Okay, it’s almost showtime. Final check. You have your something borrowed, something blue, something old, and something new?”

Tara skimmed one hand over the antique dress. “Borrowed and old. Alicia gave me a hanky embroidered with blue flowers. As for new …” Lifting the hem of the ankle-length gown, she balanced on one foot while she held out the other. The jewels in one of the Sophie Olsen high heels caught a ray of light and reflected a thousand sparkles.

“Oh! Those are to die for!” With her typical candor, Evelyn gasped, “They must have set you back a pretty penny.”

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