Page 20 of A Vineyard Love

Audrey and Grandpa Wes were out on the back porch of the Sheridan House, eating snacks and watching the water as Max played with his toy trucks on the floor.

“Did everyone make it to the island?” Grandpa Wes asked.

“Everyone is safe and accounted for,” Amanda said. “Grandpa, I’m sure the kids want to see their great-grandfather.”

Grandpa Wes burst to his feet with more energy than most men his age. “I’ll see you ladies, later!” He then walked down the steps and took the path between their houses, whistling to himself.

Amanda took Grandpa Wes’ place and crossed her arms, stirring with worry. She couldn’t shake her mother’s fears surrounding the wedding and her belief that something terrible was about to happen. But when she explained this to Audrey, Audrey just laughed.

“I love you and your mom to pieces, don’t get me wrong, but you’re both just anxious, busy bees,” Audrey said. “If you don’t have something to worry about, you don’t know what to do with yourself.”

Amanda groaned, knowing her cousin was right. “When will I outgrow that?”

“You’re twenty-five now,” Audrey said. “I hate to break it to you, but it’s a part of you forever at this point. Better get used to it.”

* * *

That night at five, Amanda met Sam in the foyer of the Sunrise Cove Inn. He was dressed wonderfully in a suit jacket and a button-up, and his cologne was sandalwood and leather, absolutely intoxicating as Amanda wrapped her arms around him. As they stood in the foyer, listening to the inn hum around them, Amanda was reminded of all those times after Sam had first started working at the Sunrise Cove, when Amanda had had to come up with excuse after excuse to see him there. It had always been the brightest time of her day.

“Sam?” Natalie, who had worked at the front desk of the hotel for many years, even before Susan had come back to the island, broke Amanda and Sam’s reverie. “Can I ask you about something really quickly?”

“Natalie, it’s their rehearsal dinner! Leave him be.” This was Christine, who’d entered the foyer from the bistro, her dark hair streaming out behind her.

“It’s not a problem,” Sam assured her, stepping behind the counter to read an email Natalie needed help answering.

Amanda’s heart swelled with love for him. He was the kind of man who was willing to go out of his way to ensure people were cared for.

Amanda and Christine entered the bistro, which had been completely reserved for Amanda’s rehearsal dinner. The tables were decorated with white tablecloths, candles, and floral arrangements made by Claire herself. In the kitchen, Zach cooked up a tremendous bounty, grateful to contribute, yet again, to Amanda’s party. Tomorrow, Chef Billiard would take the reins on the wedding reception itself, allowing even Zach to feast with the rest of them.

Very soon, family members began to arrive and fill out the tables, sitting where Amanda placed them with name cards. Amanda fell into a sort of frenzy, greeting Aunt Kerry and Uncle Trevor, cousin Andy and his wife, Beth, Jake, then Claire, then Lexi, then Rachel, then Everett, Charlotte’s fiancé, who’d come to the wedding from his home on Orcas Island. Amanda faded in and out of consciousness as she said, “Thank you so much for coming!” and, “You look so beautiful!” and, “Yes, I’m so happy to be marrying Sam,” over and over again, on a constant loop. She remembered reading once that brides forgot most of their wedding day due to adrenaline. She hoped she would find a way to slow down by tomorrow.

Just as the first appetizers arrived at the tables and guests began to eat and drink, Kelli and Xander appeared in the doorway to the bistro. Amanda leaped to her feet and cut across the restaurant to hug both of them.

“I can’t believe you made it!” Amanda said.

Kelli grimaced. Her cheeks were slack. “We can’t stay long.”

Amanda frowned and nodded, remembering what her mother had said. “Is there something wrong?”

“Gosh. Just about everything,” Kelli admitted.

“On the drive here, we got a call about an incident at the hotel,” Xander explained.

“It’s one incident after another, I’m afraid,” Kelli said. “If anyone had told me how difficult this would be, I don’t know that I would have made myself manager.”

Amanda wavered on her feet, suddenly fearful for Kelli’s mental health. She wanted to tell Kelli to step away from the role immediately to put herself first.

“After your wedding, I might re-evaluate,” Kelli said. “But I want to make sure everything goes fluidly for you tomorrow.”

“It’ll be fine,” Amanda said, squeezing Kelli’s hand. “Why don’t you grab something to eat on your way out? We have plenty of food.”

Kelli’s eyes glinted as Amanda waved over one of the servers, who carried a platter of salmon puffs. Kelli took one and ate it with her eyes closed, as though it was the most decadent thing she’d ever tasted.

“I could eat eighty more of those,” Kelli admitted. “But I have to get back. Have a wonderful evening, won’t you? Enjoy every second.”

Amanda watched as Xander and Kelli made their way back into the evening, speaking to one another quietly before they leaped into Kelli’s car and sped out of the parking lot. When Amanda turned back, she found her mother in front of her, watching her curiously.

“Why did Kelli run out like that?”

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