Page 76 of Trouble Walked In

He grinned. “I’m sure there are other places for us to explore.”

“Okay, Romeo, enough of that.” Lizzie pushed lightly at his chest. “I really have to get back to work.”

“Yes ma’am.” He laughed. “I’ll make sure Jacob doesn’t need anything.”

“Thanks, Renic.” She flashed him a grateful look, then cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted, “Thirty minutes to battle stations, everybody. Thirty minutes.”

Renic spent the time leading up to the ceremony trying to stay out of the way. The level of activity was similar to a concert. The guests were fans, and the staff were roadies. The star of the show was Lizzie. She orchestrated all of it with a gentle calm that defied chaos.

When the music started, Renic and Della hid out in the lounge to spy on the wedding through the windows.

Lizzie hovered on the back porch with the bridal party, watching over the backyard ceremony and guests like the conductor of an orchestra in reverse. She nodded at a young woman dressed in a simple black gown, who began to play the violin. Groomsmen stepped into place from the cottage side of the lawn.

Lizzie turned to the people assembled on the porch with her and sent the flower girl, the bridesmaids, then the brideand her father down the aisle with a smile and firm nod for each.

They stepped one by one off the porch onto a white carpet that led the way to the arch that overlooked the lake.

“It’s so beautiful,” Della whispered. “A real-life fairy-tale. Look how sweet the flower girl looks. The groom looks really happy.”

He murmured a sound of agreement. She sounded almost wistful.

The minister took his place in front of the happy couple. “Dear friends, we are gathered here today…”

Renic’s attention wandered back to Lizzie. He’d never given much thought to getting married before, but now he pictured himself standing up there under the archway with Lizzie by his side. He lost himself in a daydream of waking up next to Lizzie every morning.

Della nudged his elbow and pointed. “Look at the ring bearer. He’s flirting with the flower girl. Isn’t that adorable?”

The little boy flipped the pillow in his hands back and forth while the girl giggled.

If it were Renic’s wedding, he’d keep the actual ring in his own pocket, just in case.

He sighed impatiently to himself and dragged his thoughts back to the reason he was here. He and Della were alone, and she was in a decent mood.

He glanced sideways at her. “Have you decided yet?”

She started as if he’d interrupted deep thoughts, and the happy smile slid off her face. “No.”

He looked out the window at the wedding. “Nate’s coming tomorrow.”

“I know.” Della chewed on her lip. “Are you going through with it? Are you really going to sign over the company?”

He waited a minute or two before answering. It wasn’t just about Della anymore. It was also about Lizzie, his business, and his life. There wasn’t an easy answer to such a complex problem. Della was happiest on stage, and Lizzie was happiest when her sisters were happy.

However he looked at the situation, it all boiled down to the fact that he cared about the Bellamys—all of them.

The minister smiled at the groom. “Do you, Scott, take this woman…”

It was time to focus on the simple facts of the situation. Renic kept his voice low and calm. “Della, if you don’t come back, I won’t have a choice.”

She turned away from the window. “This sucks. The whole world is on my shoulders right now. It’s not fair.”

“Not the whole world. Just our collective future happiness, that’s all.” His lips twitched. “No pressure.”

“You’re a real asshole sometimes, you know that?”

Renic looked at her with a straight face. “You’ve met my parents. Are you surprised?”

“I mean it.” She glared at him. “Stop twisting the roller coaster of my life.”

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