Page 33 of All Dressed Up

“Let’s just say Mary and I have struck a deal. A new partnership, really.” She brightened. “MR Weddings.”

“MR Weddings,” he repeated.

“You know. Mary Reed.”

He laughed. Now he’d heard everything. “Your partner is a ghost?”

“Yes.”

“So, you talk to the dead now, too?”

She stood. “Something like that. Let’s just say Mary has let her wishes be known. This will work. I know it.” She offered her hand to shake on it. “So, you ready to run your mom’s business here, Will Jenkins?”

“Are you sure it’s okay with Bethany’s parents? I wouldn’t want to encroach on the Christmas Corners’ space.” The last thing he wanted to do was set up shop and have the Wilsons kick him out. Not that they would. Bethany’s parents were like Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, the kindest people in Buttermilk Falls.

“They are in full support. Bethany called them last night. They totally don’t mind. You also won’t be alone in this venture. Zoe and Donovan will help out, too.” She lifted her chin until their eyes met. “And I’ll just be downstairs.”

His pulse accelerated. This could really work. He wasn’t sold on the whole pulling a wedding dress out of a trunk thing, but he liked the thought of having a place in town to run his mother’s business.

And yeah, the close proximity to the woman he was mad for was a huge bonus.

Rachel had come through in a big way.

He had the sudden urge to hug her.

So, he did.

He stepped into her personal space and hoisted her in the air, spinning her around. “Thank you for all of this.”

“You’re welcome.”

Her hands slid down his arms, and he set her gently on the ground, brushing a strand of her hair out of her beautiful eyes. “This means a lo—”

“Hey, anyone up there?” a familiar voice called out, causing Rachel to step out of their embrace.

“In here,” she shouted back.

Moments later, Donovan appeared with a tall, dark-haired man whom Will didn’t know.

But someone knew him.

Rachel shrieked, running over and giving the tall stranger a big hug that lasted way longer than it really needed to. Who was this guy? Will racked his brain but came up short.

Rachel continued to greet the man, who Will guessed was about their age. She seemed oblivious that anyone else was in the room.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe you’re here,” she said, giving the guy a playful punch on the arm. “How long has it been?”

“Too long. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

Will watched from the sidelines, agitation boiling up inside him. He shot Donovan a look that demanded his best friend explain who the hell this guy was.

Donovan took the cue and made brief introductions. “This is my ex-business partner, Marc Bellamy. Marc, this is Will Jenkins. Will grew up with us.”

Will extended a hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“I thought you were coming later in the month?” Rachel asked, still smiling too widely for Will’s liking.

“I decided to start my vacation earlier.” He slapped Donovan on the back. “I’ve been working to the bone ever since this guy left me high and dry six months ago.”

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