Page 73 of 4 Weddings and a Feud

* * *

It would take two massages to release the knot of tension in Mary’s shoulders. And it would be a long time before she could have a glass of wine to relax her jangled nerves. She hadn’t even spared a thought for the wedding banquet. Was the kitchen able to keep everything warm without power?

One disaster at a time.

And from the sound of it, they were approaching another one.

Ray Richardson’s raised voice echoed down the hall. “What kind of second-rate, cheap-ass establishment doesn’t have a backup generator?”

“We’ve got a fucking generator. It just hasn’t come on yet. My maintenance chief is working on it.”

Mary winced at Alex’s volume. “Rochelle, just a second. I’m going to make a call.”

“Okay,” Rochelle said. “I’m going to see if I can calm Daddy down.” She marched toward the arguing men.

Mary plucked her phone out of her pocket and dialed her brother. “Michael, are you still here?” she asked as soon as he picked up. “There’s an issue with the generator at La Villa, and?—”

“Evie already called me. I just met up with one of the maintenance guys, and he’s taking me to it.”

“Good. Thank you.”

“No problem. Need me to call Rafe to raid the church supply closet for candles?”

Mary imagined five hundred candles lighting up the wedding. Romantic, but open flame hadn’t been a friend to them tonight. “Better skip it. The phone flashlights are doing the job.”

“Okay. Looks like I’m here. I’ll have this bad boy purring like a kitten in no time.”

“Thank—” But her brother had already disconnected.

Alex and Ray Richardson were still arguing, a little more quietly now that Rochelle clasped Ray’s arm.

Mary spoke into her earpiece. “Ready, Joey?”

“Bridesmaids are lined up. Just waiting on the bride,” he said.

“Okay, we’re on our way to you.”

Pasting a falsely confident smile on her face, Mary stepped between Alex and the Richardsons. “Ray, Rochelle, we’re ready for you. It’s time to get married.”

Rochelle’s grin was fearless. “I’m ready to show the universe who’s the boss. And it’s Rohaan and me. Come on, Daddy.”

“But—” Ray protested.

“Not now, Daddy. I want to get married. You can fight with Mr. Villa later.”

Her father’s frown melted as he looked down into his daughter’s face, lit up by her phone’s flashlight. “You’re so beautiful. Even in the dark.”

“Thank you, Daddy. Now, walk me down the aisle.”

He crooked his arm toward her, and his daughter threaded her hand through it. Together, they walked toward the ballroom door, their flashlights lighting the way.

As Rochelle proceeded toward her groom and her future, a tiny flame lit inside Mary, making her chest expand like a hot-air balloon. She sighed. She’d never have a father to walk her down the aisle, but maybe she’d find her groom someday. If things kept going well, the man beside her might want the job.

She shot him a tentative smile. But he was too busy scowling at the father and daughter to see. She took his hand. “We did it,” she said softly.

He flicked off her hand like he’d been stung, and when he turned to face her, his eyebrows smashed together. “What, fucked everything up?”

“It wasn’t that bad. Accidents happen.”

---