Page 95 of Love and Other Trials
“You’re doing great.” She patted her sister on the shoulder, hoping to start inching toward the exit. “Thanks for backing me on not wearing the wig.”
They both glanced over to where Mother was pouring herself a large vodka on the rocks at the Art Deco bar cart.
“She’s going to be wasted by the time the ceremony rolls around,” Tiffany whispered.
“Maybe it will make things easier.” Ariel did her best not to run to the door. “I’ll see you later.”
“Be sure and come back so Carly can do your makeup,” Tiffany called.
Ariel let herself out. Right. So she didn’t have to wear the horrible wig, but she needed to have Tiffany-approved makeup. She could deal with that, so long as she didn’t look like a clown version of herself the way she had at Terry’s first wedding. Betty Boop mascara eyes had made her look slightly cross-eyed in the wedding photos.
Glad she was wearing her flip-flops and not the cream satin pumps with feathers Tiffany had bought everyone in the bridal party, she crossed quickly back to the wedding site. What she saw had her shoulders finally lowering from her ears. The tent was up. The tables and chairs in the interior were all in place. So were the chandeliers and the oodles of stringy white lights.
Off to the right of the tent, the place where Tiffany and Rob were going to say their vows was also set up. The arbor with the pale roses and other greenery stood romantically at the apex of the groupings of white chairs. The white sweeping mesh curtains blew softly in the breeze. The florist was starting to tie the small bouquets at the ends of the aisles of chairs now that she had something to work with.
“Everything is coming together,” Jeffrey called behind her.
She spun around and rushed him, banding her arms around him tightly. “You’re a prince for stepping in and helping.”
“I know, honey,” he drawled and they both laughed. “How did the Deverell women take the wig going missing?”
“Mother had a spare wig—the one she’d picked out?—”
“Of course she did! The devil probably visited her in a dream and told her our plan.”
When he removed more holy water and made the sign of the cross, she dissolved into near giggles. “All your good juju must have worked because Tiffany stepped in and backed me up. She said my hair was pretty and I didn’t have to wear the wig.”
“You’re kidding me!” He made the sign of the cross again. “What is the world coming to? Has a better day dawned in the Deverell line? Is it possible our spiritual attunements broke the wedding curse at last?”
“I’m sure it was the evil eye tattoos.” She gave him a kiss as she heard her name shouted. “That’s my cue.”
Bubba was waiting beside the sparkler display inside the tent. “You ready for the sparkler show of your life tonight?”
She was so giddy at their progress she did a little knee-slapping dance. “Can’t happen soon enough, let me tell you.”
“Your fella caught me as I was coming in.” He wiped perspiration from his brow. “Told me about the mud pits and all. Bad luck that.”
“Yes, but we turned it around.” She dug out her phone. “Let me call in the Navy boys who’ll be in charge of lighting the displays.”
“Do you want to see the final result? I added a little whimsy. Since you’re a Gamecocks fan and all.”
“Sure.” She started typing as she walked.
I’m ready for you. You can’t know how much. LOL. Sparkler display training is ready.
Captain Hotpants
Ready for me, huh? Promises, promises. Coming your way. How’d the wig thing go?
Tiff backed me over my mother, who’d bought the wig she picked out. She smelled deception in the air apparently.
Captain Hotpants
Deception, huh? LMAO. I only smell bourbon. Rob is hitting the lucky bourbon hard. Might need to take him on a walk. He’s a wreck. Nervous as hell. Worse than before our winging ceremony. See you soon.
She smiled as she pocketed her phone. Bubba was waiting for her beside two large crates. “Let’s see it!”
Grinning, he smartly snagged off the tops of both.Go Navywas on the right.Just Marriedon the left. Hundreds of sparklers stood at attention. “Awesome! You’re the best.”
