Page 72 of Moonshine and Magnolias
She had just enough time to run upstairs to change out of her sweat-soaked clothes and shower before dashing outside to greet the Rabbi and guests. Rob joined her minutes later and she reveled in the support he showed just by being there, by dressing for the occasion. Gone was the casual hotness of the boy-next-door jeans and t-shirt. He had reverted back into sexy college professor in a dark gray sport suit that showed a confidence and style that was hotter than any designer duds on a buff male model.
She couldn’t wait to peel it off him.
He stood by her side, one warm hand resting low on her back. His thumb traced small circles, the gentle pressure an echo of the longing in her heart. “You need anything? Like unwanted guests escorted off the property?”
She laughed and leaned into him. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Brandi started the music and opened the front door where the brides stood, both dressed in white and sharing a look so raw with love and passion that Wendy’s eyes filled with tears. The couple separated to walk down the different staircases and met again at the end of the aisle, reaching out to each other evenbefore they stood side by side. The guests rose as the women processed toward the Rabbi, some already reaching for tissues.
“Friends and loved ones,” the Rabbi began. “We are gathered here today to witness the commitment of Jennifer Owens and Pearl Ardsmore…”
This is what it could be. Fountenoy Hall. A lawn full of family watching two people join together amid beautiful scenery, under the watchful gaze of a house that had stood witness to so many lives, where generations of Claytons had lived and loved and laughed in its halls. How had she ever thought of leaving all this to return to Steward’s? She couldn’t give it up, not even for her list of goals.
She reached out. Rob immediately clasped her hand and brought it up to his mouth, then kissed her knuckles, slowly, with a tenderness that left her weakened.
Wind brushed the branches in the trees, rippling the flowers in the chuppah and lifting the brides’ veils. Pearl sneezed. And sneezed again.
And again.
“Baby, are you okay?” Jennifer asked. Pearl gasped for breath and dropped her bouquet.
What the hell was going on? Wendy tugged on Rob’s hand and scurried around the chairs with him amid the murmurs of concern and surprise from the guests.
Pearl waved a hand and backed away from the Rabbi. “The flowers,” she managed to pant out in between sneezing and gasping.
Oh, God. Her allergies. Wendy herself had emailed Brandi the list of flowers to avoid. Her cousin must have messed up.
Again.
Damn it, Wendy should have listened to her instincts and double-checked Brandi’s work. She had wanted to trust her cousin, to let her prove herself, but not at the expense of turning a wedding into a disaster.
Pearl’s mom grabbed an inhaler out of her purse and handed it to her daughter. Jordan put her arm around the woman and ushered her to the house. “Let’s get you inside.”
With Pearl in Jordan’s more-than-capable hands, Wendy dodged around helpful attendees and zeroed in on the other bride. Jennifer was frantically pawing through the greenery that decorated the chuppah. Petals and leaves flew around her as she wrenched the offending blooms out of Brandi’s crafted design. She fell to her knees, still yanking and pulling at the flowers.
“No peonies. No lilacs. Especially not hidden behind magnolias leaves!” She wrenched at a vine as she rose, her dress ruined by the dirt.
A collective gasp rose from the wedding guests as the chuppah swayed with the force of her pull. Wendy dashed forward, but she was too far away to make the distance in heels. Even those twenty-yard sprints drills from college wouldn’t have been enough to help her reach the woman before the structure crashed on top of her.
Rob rushed into the wood so it fell sideways. The carefully constructed piece fell apart, crushed under his weight. Wendy stopped short, breathing again only when he sat up and looked unharmed.
Jennifer seemed not to notice how close she’d come to getting a concussion and waved the offending flora. “Were you trying to make me a widow on my wedding day?”
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Owens.”
“Do you think an apology,” her voice dripped venom on the word, “is going to help? Everything is ruined. Ruined!” She threw the flowers at Wendy and stormed toward the house. “We’ll sue. That’s what we’ll do. Intentional infliction of emotional distress. The cost of our dresses. And… and… anything else I can think of.”
The Rabbi looked to Wendy and Rob and adjusted his yarmulke. “I’ll go with her.”
There was nothing Wendy could say or do that would make the situation any better, short of letting Jennifer strangle her cousin. Who was nowhere to be found. Who last week had so much wanted to be a part of how Fountenoy Hall worked. Who had never stuck around to face the consequences of her actions.
“Distinguished guests, please help yourself to the refreshments in the lobby.” Wendy stood alone in front. “We’ll be with you in a moment.”
Chapter 15
Tina beat a hasty retreat when the wedding guests started overflowing the lobby. Wendy was only mildly disappointed by her departure, though the woman did say she’d email a contract with her new position information.
As soon as Tina’s vehicle had sped out of sight, all her strength seeped out of her. Rob held out his arms amid the fallen chuppah and empty chairs. She walked into his embrace, her body liquid against his. “This did not just happen.”
