Page 10 of All I've Waited For

“Good. I hope you will have just as much enthusiasm for my next question.”

Sounded ominous—or much more tentative at least. “What?”

“I know things are crazy for you right now, but we were wondering if you’d help us plan the wedding.”

Why in the world would Bella have hesitated to ask Ashleythat? “Nothing would make me happier.” She could already imagine Bella in a gorgeous dropped-waist silk-satin gown that skimmed her hips and flared mid thigh. That style would show off her curves perfectly. “Do you guys have a date in mind?”

“Actually, we were thinking July.”

The noise in the room seemed to reach epic proportions. “Of this year?”

“I know it’s short notice, but your whole family will already be here for the reunion. We thought we could hold it that weekend.”

“That makes sense.” Oh man, what could Ashley say? Her own schedule was already booked to the max. But this was her brother, her soon-to-be sister. She couldn’t possibly say no. “It might be hard to find an available venue so last minute, though.”

“We thought the inn would work nicely. There’s the ballroom we’ve been working on, of course, but I’ve always wanted a ceremony on the beach. And if the weather is nice, the courtyard and back patio would be perfect if we move the furniture off and add a dance floor, tables, and chairs. Plus the entire inn will be filled with family here for the reunion, so we don’t need to worry about disturbing guests. And, of course, there’s the nice plus that we would save money on a venue.”

Hmmm. “I suppose if you’re limiting the guest list to about one-fifty, maybe one-seventy-five, the courtyard would fit everyone. But the Bakers alone would take up the majority of those spots.” They had nearly one hundred coming to the reunion as of her last count.

“That’s not a problem. My family isn’t huge—the ones that talk to me, anyway—and most of my friends are part of your family.” Bella tilted her head, something vulnerable in her normally confident eyes. She placed her hand on Ashley’s arm. “I promise I won’t be one of those bridezillas. My expectations are very low. I want something simple. Just family and friends, gathered together, to watch me marry the man I love. And I can’t think of anyone better to help us make that happen than you.”

Tears pricked Ashley’s eyes. She leaned her head against Bella’s. Though she couldn’t think of any free spots in her schedule offhand, she’d just have to create some. “Of course I’ll help. We may have to call in some reinforcements, but there’s nothing I’d like more than to help you have a beautiful day.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“You’re the best.” Bella shot Ben a thumbs-up, and he grinned and mouthed “Thank you” to Ashley.

Warmth traveled up her spine. She mouthed back, “You’re welcome.”

Ashley didn’t know how she was going to manage it all, but she’d do anything for those who needed her—especially those she loved.

Even if the effort killed her in the process.

Chapter 3

Why would anyone want pearls on a wedding cake?

Derek tried to maintain a neutral face at Claire’s declaration. “That sounds … nice.”

His fiancée pouted her lips. “I can tell you are not pleased by that idea.” She turned to Ashley. “What do you think?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think.” Ashley sat across from them at a small table situated toward the back of Whimsical Weddings’ showroom. She scrunched her nose as she absently tapped the end of her pen against the clipboard in front of her.

“Oui, I want to know your opinion.”

“It looks really elegant if done right. You just don’t want to overdo them.”

“Of course not.” Claire opened her binder—how she’d pulled all of that together in the five days since they’d arrived in town was a mystery to Derek—and flipped to a page featuring a picture of a tall, white monstrosity slathered in froufrou beading and frills. She slid the binder toward Ashley and pointed. “This is what I had in mind.”

“I’m sure the local bakery that handles all of our custom cake orders will be able to do that, no problem.”

“Wonderful.”

They moved on to basic decor, and Derek tuned out the conversation. If it were up to him, they’d get married on the beach with their immediate family and have a barbecue afterward. But that would never suit a sophisticated woman like Claire. And if she wasn’t going to marry for love, she could at least have the wedding she’d always dreamed of before that jerk of an ex-fiancé had pulverized her heart.

Derek checked his watch. He should be back at the vineyard, helping his dad, assessing the things that needed to change once his company partnered with Claire’s. They’d have to wait until her grandfather officially turned over the reins of the company to her, and there was no telling how long that would take. Campbell Wines just had to stay afloat till then.

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