Page 64 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

Holly went to the living room window and pushed the curtain aside. Her jaw dropped when she spotted the white stretch limousine idling in front of the cabin. Two seconds later, Kim appeared through the limo’s sunroof, holding a glass of champagne.

Holly laughed. “I should have known.”

When she turned around, Vivian was putting on her winter jacket.

“She hired a limo,” Holly announced as she fetched her coat.

“Typical Kim.” Vivian chuckled. “I guess we’re partying New York style.”

After Holly locked the door behind them, she and her mom made their way to the vehicle through the snow. Kim let out awhoopso loud that Holly was afraid Mrs. Miranelli would be able to hear her from down the street.

“Hey, Holly-bear,” Kim called. “Get in so we can start this par-tay.”

When Holly opened the rear side door, she was welcomed by a chorus of “Surprise!” Lucy and Rachel sat in the lush interior, the former toasting Holly with a glass of bubbly and the latter snacking on pretzels.

“This is great,” Holly said as Kim came in from the sunroof. “Where’s Emily?”

“She said sorry she can’t make it. Her arthritis is acting up, and she doesn’t think she can stay up all night like she used to.” Kim grabbed a handful of nuts from the limo bar. “She sends her love, though.”

Once they were settled, Kim and Lucy started singing along to a current pop song while Rachel and Vivian danced in their seats. Holly swung her foot to the beat, laughing and smiling so much her cheeks hurt.

“Okay, okay.” Kim raised her hands, calling for everyone’s attention. “I have something for everyone here.”

“Oh, this ought to be good,” Vivian joked.

Kim snickered as she pulled a large gift bag from under the seat. The first item she extracted was a silky, ivory sash. Across it, written in gold, were the words “Bride-to-be.”

“For you, milady.” Kim held the sash open above Holly’s head.

Holly slipped it on over her coat, giggling at how ridiculous she must have looked. Lucy wolf-whistled at her.

“I’ve got one for each of us,” Kim announced, reaching into the bag again.

The sashes she produced for herself and Lucy were marked with the word “Bridesmaid.” Vivian’s said, “Mother of the Bride,” and Rachel’s, “Maid of Honor.”

“I know, I know.” Kim flailed her hands around. “It should say ‘Matronof Honor,’ but I wasn’t as brushed up as Holly on all the correct technical terms, so—”

“No, it’s great.” Rachel smiled as she adjusted her sash so the title could be read. “Thank you.”

“And just so Holly feels extra special …” Kim removed a gold tiara from the bag and made a big show of it. Holly gasped, and the rest of the gang gave exaggeratedoohs andahhs before bursting into fits of laughter.

The singing and dancing continued, and a few songs later, Holly glanced out the window. She recognized the street they were on.

“Are we going to Le Ruban Rouge?” Holly swiveled to face Kim.

“You didn’t think I’d forget to include food in this event, did you?” Kim took a sip of her champagne. “Lucky for us, Rachel told me about your favorite restaurant in Silverwood.”

“And lucky for me,” Lucy added, “it’s my favorite, too.”

“First dinner,” Kim said as she raised her glass, “then dancing.”

Lucy, Kim, and Hollywhoopedand hollered. Rachel snapped photos with her phone.

Vivian chuckled. “All right, girls. If we don’t settle down, they won’t let us intoanyrestaurant.”

The singing and giggling became a little tamer as the limo came to a halt. The group climbed out of the vehicle, which took up three parking spaces, and strode toward the restaurant entrance. The excitement of the evening’s festivities coursed through Holly’s veins, kindling a warmth within her despite the chilly weather. And it had only just begun.

They entered the establishment, and Holly followed Rachel to the greeter at the front of the restaurant. The podium she stood behind was decorated in evergreens and red velvet bows. While they were shown to their table, Holly politely nodded and smiled at familiar people she passed. The greeter took them to an L-shaped staircase leading to an upper floor. Twinkling lights hung along the railing and around pillars and the panoramic windows. As jazzy Christmas music played through the speakers, Holly admired the restaurant’s ambiance, with its elegant tables set with white linen tablecloths and red cloth napkins. The candles in the centerpieces were lit, giving the place an intimate feel.

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