Page 13 of Bride Games

Once Nigel unearthed the tea kettle, he held a basket of various teas for Emma and Paige to sample including chamomile, chai, lemon, and of course, Earl Grey black tea. AsEmma rummaged through the basket containing a multitude of colorful packets, Paige cleared her throat as she stared longingly at a pink Keurig coffee maker in the corner. “Would it be any trouble to pop in a pod? I much prefer coffee.”

“I’d pop in a pod for Paige Daniels any day.” Nigel cocked his head. “Sounds rather naughty, doesn’t it? Just a minute.” He searched through a table covered in boxes of sheer white gloves and garters. “Here they are!” Nigel checked to make sure there was water in the coffee pot and placed a pink Bride & Joy coffee mug on the surface.

“Actually, I’d prefer coffee too, Nigel. Sorry,” Emma said.

“No worries. I know you folks aren’t into tea like the Brits are. Pity, but no problem.” Nigel found another clean mug and in under a minute handed them both a cup of coffee. While his tea brewed, he reached for a bulging notebook. “These are the most popular invitations. I have more obscure ones in the back. There’s everything you can imagine, embossed gilded gold to personalized photos of the couple.”

“You can do photos?” Emma clapped her hands together. “I love that idea.”

“Sure. We can do whatever you’d like. I send the vendors a lot of business, so they can put a rush on the invitations if needed. Have you chosen a date?”

“We’re doing that now. We don’t want to wait long—if we can find a suitable venue that doesn’t require months in advance.”

“You might want to get right on that. But about the invitations, no worries. Just email me some high-resolution photos of you and”—Nigel snapped his fingers—“Eli, right?”

Nodding, Emma said, “Yes. If we can have more than one photo, I’d love to include Lucy, unless that’s unusual for a couple who is getting married. That’s probably not cool.” She furrowed her brows. “This is all new to me. I’m a first-time bride.”

“Nothing is unusual. I’ve seen it all. There’s no right or wrong.” Nigel sipped his hot tea. “Actually, I think adding a photo of the wee lass is brilliant.”

“So do I,” Paige added. She turned to Emma. “Didn’t you say Eli proposed in the backyard?”

Emma felt her eyes rim with happy tears as she thought about the magical moment. “Yes.” Her smile practically reached her ears. “Lucy handmade a sign that read, ‘Will you marry Mr. Hansen’?”

Nigel placed a hand over his heart while Paige’s eyes glistened. They both said, “How sweet,” in unison.

Nigel handed Emma a couple of bulky notebooks overflowing with bridal invitations. “Take these home. Study them with your fiancé.” He glanced around the messy room. “I have plenty more. Somewhere.”

Everyone laughed as Emma stacked the notebooks. “What next? Should we discuss dresses? Flowers? Music? A Cake? What else?”

Nigel spread his arms wide. “We need to sort all of that.” He apparently noticed Emma’s face whiten and added, “But we don’t have to do it all today.”

Exhaling, Emma said, “Thank goodness.” She patted the invitations. “Maybe this is enough for one day. If I’m overwhelmed, Eli might lose his dinner.”

Paige tapped Emma’s arm. “Remember, less is more. Also, you don’t have to do everything yourself. We’re”—she pointed to herself and Nigel—"we’re here for you.”

13

Emma gathered her purse, the invitation samples, and stood to leave. But promptly sat back down. “Let’s decide at least one or two more things today. I’ll feel more accomplished, and hopefully, less stressed.” She glanced at Paige. “Do you have a few more minutes?”

Paige winked. “Sure, but if we’re here overnight, you’re buying me breakfast.”

“I promise I’ll hurry.” Emma glanced at her watch. “I have Mrs. Roberts scheduled for another hour. I should take advantage of it.”

Still sipping his tea, Nigel said, “Since we have the invitation half sorted, what about colors and flowers? Have you and Eli discussed either of those?”

Emma set her coffee down. “Eli and I definitely want to use sunflowers since he surprised me on the school’s sunflower field trip to say he left Appledale Elementary so he could date me. Sunflowers are my lucky charm, it seems.”

“Brilliant. Sunflowers are such happy, pretty flowers.” Nigel winked. “I’m not sure why you need me.”

“Or me,” Paige added, “But I’m happy to provide moral support and my unworn wedding dress that you chose for me last year.”

“That’s too generous. Please let me pay you half at least, Paige.”

Nigel tsked. “Always accept a gift, Emma. I agree a wedding dress is a magnanimous gesture, but I’d expect nothing less from Paige Daniels.”

Paige actually blushed. “You guys are good for my damaged ego after Trent’s antics last fall.”

Emma shuddered. “At least you found out he was a cheater before you got married.”

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