Page 19 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

“As for the extra time you’ll be working, don’t worry. I can manage a lot on my own. And the stuff I can’t? Well, that’s what Oliver is for, right?”

“I’m sure he won’t mind putting in extra hours if necessary.”

“See.” Evelyn tapped Viola’s hand. “It’s no problem at all.”

“I guess.”

Evelyn searched her face. “What’s the other thing?”

“What?”

“You said a couple of things were bothering you.”

“Oh. Yeah, that.” Viola rubbed the back of her neck. “I, uh, don’t know if I can really do this. I’m kind of scared that I’m in over my head.”

Evelyn chuckled.

Viola frowned. “What’s funny about that?”

“Not funny per se. I just remember the same ‘in over my head’ speech when you were in culinary school. You were so worried you couldn’t keep up with the other students. And how did that turn out?”

Viola chewed her lip, and one corner of her mouth inched upward. “I graduated at the top of my class.”

“Exactly.” Evelyn pushed a strand of Viola’s hair away from her face. “There is no limit to what you can achieve if you can believe it. I have total faith in you. Maybe you should, too.”

A sense of calm crept in, and Viola felt that her mother’s support gave her strength and resolve.

The alarm on Viola’s smartwatch beeped, and she straightened.

“I have to go.” Viola stood and scanned the room for her purse. “I have a shift at the hot chocolate stand.”

“Okay, dear.” Evelyn swiveled her wheelchair and drove it toward the front door. “Don’t forget your scarf. It’s supposed to be cold later.”

Viola threw on her coat and grabbed her scarf. “Thanks, Mom. Text me if you need anything. See you tonight.”

Though they had messaged each other every week and spoken on the phone a dozen or so times in the last year, Holly missed spending time with her best friend, Kim. Kim’s friendship was the only good thing Holly still had from her life in the big city.

Holly offered to pick up Kim from the airport, but Kim insisted that she “New York” it by taking an Uber. Kim had also turned down Holly’s offer to let her stay at the cabin, claiming she didn’t want to be in Holly’s way. Holly felt it had more to do with having room service and the housekeeping staff at her disposal.

The plan was for Kim, Rachel, Avery, and Lucy to meet Holly in the town square so they could venture to the Blossom Boutique for their dress fittings. It had been a month and a half since Holly had most recently tried on her wedding gown, and she was filled with a mixture of exhilaration and anxiety at the prospect of doing it again.

Marie, the seamstress and boutique owner, had Kim’s measurements to tailor her bridesmaid’s dress, having measured Rachel, Lucy, and Avery in person. Today would be the first time the entire bridal party would have their dresses on simultaneously.

In the town square, Holly shivered as an icy breeze whipped at her hair. When her phone buzzed, she pulled it out of her coat pocket.

Kim: I’m in the Uber now. I should be there in fifteen minutes.

Holly: I wish you would have let me pick you up.

Kim: Honey, no. You’ve got enough going on. I’ll be there soon. No big deal.

Holly: Hope your flight was okay.

Kim: OMG!! Cutest flight attendant ever. Flirting with me big time.

Holly: LOL Of course he was.

Kim: See you soon.

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