Page 9 of Every Which Way

Jax’s mom, Adrielle, had a long pixie cut and wore gray slacks with a pink blouse and a cashmere shawl. Her shoes were flat black with a gold buckle. She smiled widely and, when Kenna got near enough, kissed her cheek. “Kenna, how are you?”

“I’m good. How was your flight?” Better than asking how their impromptu trip had gone.

Adrielle shrugged one slender shoulder. “No turbulence, and our bags arrived at the same time we did.”

Laney got between them. “Kenna.” She gave her a hug, squeezing tight. “This is fun.”

Kenna shot her a look.

Laney laughed. “It’s been ten years since I got to peruse any of this. I’m excited.”

Kenna said, “This is my friend Maizie.”

“Right,” Adrielle said. “Your assistant.”

“She’s going to be my bridesmaid as well.”

Maizie whirled around to Kenna. “I am?”

“Who else would it be?”

“Uh…Dixie? Forrest Crosby?—”

Adrielle said, “You know the author, Forrest Crosby?”

Kenna nodded, and Maizie continued, “Laney. Elizabeth Stairns. Valentina Ryson.”

“Okay, fine,” Kenna said. “But I only need one, right? So that makes it you.”

Maizie blushed, looking nervous.

“Besides, I have an ‘if I have to suffer, then we all have to suffer’ policy about the whole thing.”

Laney busted up laughing. “I love it.”

Jax’s sister wore dark jeans and canvas shoes with a white button-down shirt and a white undershirt in the open collar. She had on a simple gold necklace, and her dark blond hair was long and loose. Kenna had liked her the first time they met, over the holidays a few months back, and even her husband had been the kind of person who allowed Maizie to relax—at least to an extent.

At their meeting, they’d explained to Laney and her husband about Maizie’s background and how they’d met her. They hadn’t done the same with Adrielle Jaxton or Jax’s father. Neither needed to be privy to what Maizie had suffered.

“Sounds like we’re going to need cake samples.” Adrielle smiled wide. “Otherwise, what’s the point?”

Kenna said, “I like your style.”

Laney led them through double doors into the big convention auditorium, with huge chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Floral carpet. Rows and rows of vendors selling all kinds of things.

Adrielle said, “I already made an appointment with one of the dress designers. I think you’re going to like her style.”

Maizie glanced over.

Kenna said, “Sounds great.”

Adrielle and Maizie got distracted by stationery, comparing paper color and fonts. As if Kenna was going to send out actual invitations.

Laney slowed to walk with her. “I know you and Jax had that plan where you go to the beach and you both have bare feet.”

Kenna smiled. “It was a nice idea at the time. But this thing isn’t going to get out of control. I’m not getting talked into four hundred people in some huge church I’ve never been to just to impress a bunch of people I don’t really know.”

Laney’s eyes widened. “I’ll help wrangle Mom. I promise I won’t let her lock you into anything, but she knows you don’t have much family. I think she’s trying to fill a gap.”

---