Page 20 of Sunsets at the Beach House

Willie’s door was shut, which meant she was still in bed. No shock there. Roxie went to her room and straight to the shower. She was still thinking about changing the color of her hair to a softer, strawberry blond. Or maybe that was called rose gold these days?

There was just too much going on for her to bring it up to Trina. Maybe in the car on the way to Port St. Rosa today would be the perfect time. They’d have a couple of hours to do nothing but talk.

Especially if Roxie got a lot of her calls made this morning. The restaurant would have to wait, but the rest she might be able to do. She took a shower, shampooing her hair, which she knew would take a little of the color out of it. She didn’t mind. It would only lighten up the red, which she wanted to do anyway.

When she got out and towel-dried her hair, she checked the red in the mirror. Didn’t look like she’d lost much color. Trina was just too good at what she did. If Roxie really wanted to strip the color, a dip in the pool’s chlorinated water would help. She didn’t have time for that today, though.

Roxie dressed in capri leggings and a cute top that would be comfortable enough for the trip, then went out to make coffee and find something for breakfast. She settled on a yogurt cup for the meantime. After her mom got up, she’d make a protein smoothie but using the blender now would make too much noise.

She finished the yogurt about the time the coffee was done, so she fixed a big cup, then took it, her phone, and her wedding notebook out to the back porch.

She opened to a blank page and wrote Officiant on the top. She knew Miguel wanted a priest but she wasn’t sure if she should start by calling churches or if he already had one in mind. She had his number. She supposed she might as well text him to ask. If he wasn’t up yet, he could answer when he was.

Morning! Do you have a priest in mind for the ceremony? Or should I just see who I can find? Let me know when you get a chance. Working on planning the big day. Thanks!

While she waited for him to respond, she went about halfway down the page and wrote Flowers.

She went to Google on her phone and typed in, “florists near me.” She looked at the first three that came up. All of them had good reviews.

She called the first one.

“Good morning, Tara’s Flowers. How can I help you?”

“Hi. We’re looking to do a small beach wedding very soon. We wouldn’t need a lot of flowers. A bridal bouquet, a boutonniere, and maybe three centerpieces. Is that something you could handle?”

“Maybe. How soon is soon?”

Roxie squeezed her eyes shut. “This weekend.”

“This coming weekend?”

“That’s what we’re hoping for.”

“Hmm. We already have two events on the calendar. I don’t think we could handle another one. I’m sorry. We’re a small shop.”

“Okay, I understand. Thanks.” Roxie hung up, had a drink of her coffee, then dialed the second place on the list.

“Fresh Vines, Kim speaking. How can I help?”

Roxie decided to go with more info up front. “Hi, Kim. We’re hoping to do a small beach wedding this weekend and need some flowers. Nothing major. A bridal bouquet, a boutonniere, and three centerpieces. Any way you could do that?”

“Wow, this weekend?”

“I know,” Roxie said. “It’s very short notice, but it all just sort of happened.”

“Are you flexible on flowers? Or is there something particular you’re looking for?”

“Lavender roses. No lilies.”

“Hmm. I can get lavender roses, but they aren’t cheap, regardless of the variety you pick. And it might mean expediting them to make sure they arrive in time to be arranged. Do you have a budget?”

“We’re flexible on that. You said you have a variety of lavender roses?”

“We do. There are moonlights, which are kind of a lavender-gray; cotton clouds, which are a white-based rose that have lavender and pale blue petal tips; and the vogue roses, which are a pinky-lavender.”

“I’ve never heard of any of them, but the cotton clouds sound like something my mom would love. She’s the one getting married.” Roxie picked up her coffee and took a few sips. This was a job for caffeine.

“How nice! Just so you’re aware, the cotton cloud roses would need to be expediated, since they’re a hand-tinted rose and take a little more time.”

---