Page 73 of Moonshine and Magnolias
But it had, and another sense of foreboding came over her when Rob’s arms tightened around her. “Wendy, your aunt is coming.”
“No. Don’t say anything.”
His hand stroked her back. “Either she was mud wrestling in candy land or something bad went down in the kitchen.”
“If I don’t look, it didn’t happened,” Wendy said into his chest.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He kissed her head.
Sweetheart? Hmmm. She could get used to that. She braced herself, then turned to greet her aunt.
Or, the purple monstrosity.
Purple frosting decorated her hair and half her face. Her apron might havebeen yellow or white, but now swirls of lilac and lavender were the only colors visible. Every inch of her arms was covered as well.
“Can’t figure what happened.” Eulalee wrung her hands, smearing the frosting even more. “I was carrying the middle layer of the cake and suddenly it was in my hair and the bottom layer was smashed. It ended up on the ceiling. I ended up on my rear on the floor.” She rubbed her posterior, leaving purple in her wake.
The comfort-seeking Wendy grabbed the labels of Rob’s jacked and pressed her forehead into his chest, inhaling his woodsy scent. She let go and became the in-charge Wendy. “Go get cleaned up, Aunt Eulalee. I’ll meet you in the kitchen once I’ve talked to the brides.”
Her aunt stood there, shaking her head. Wendy put a hand on the last clean spot on her shoulder. “We’ll fix it. Don’t worry.”
Eulalee nodded and went across the grounds to the kitchen’s back door, mumbling about fairies and gravity and tripping on her own feet. Wendy took Rob’s hand and headed up front steps. “I can tell Jennifer and Pearl it will be fine, but I’d be lying. They’d know it. With the flowers and the cake and any other problems we’ve yet to find.” She paused at the heavy wooden door. Living without the weight of family expectations and adult responsibilities sounded pretty damn good. “Do you think that instead of going inside, we can run far away from here and just be carefree?”
“As long as we can do it naked.”
With those words, the stress deserted her for the first time since Pearl had started sneezing. She laid her hand on his cheek and stood on her toes, letting her lips brush his in a gentle caress. “You’re very good for me. Even if we have to be dressed,” she said. “Come with me?”
He pushed open the door in response.
The lobby and parlor were stuffed with guests mingling and drinking and snacking on food that had escaped the purple wave in the kitchen. Brandi and Sebastien circled among the crowd, smiling charming smiles and laughing charming laughs, though the anxiety in Brandi’s eyes didn’t match her vivaciousattitude.
This could be fixed. Even though the plan for guests to mingle outside wouldn’t be happening now. Fountenoy Hall was huge. There were plenty of gathering spaces.
Wendy surveyed the number of people milling around and did some mental calculations. “Do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
“Get Sebastien and his men and anyone else you can find to help. Move the chairs from outside into the ballroom. We’ll have the ceremony there.”
“You’re brilliant.” Rob kissed her forehead, then put his hand on the library door. “Ready?”
At her nod, he slid it open. Jennifer was kneeling by Pearl, who sat on the sofa with the Rabbi next to her. She clutched Jennifer with one hand and tissues with the other, her nose red enough to give a drunk Rudolph reflecting a stoplight a run for his money. Her wedding dress was in a heap on the floor and she wore a white robe. Her mother stood behind her, combing out her updo. Jordan paced nearby but out of the way, attentive to what the women were doing without being intrusive.
“How are you, Ms. Arsdale?” Wendy asked.
“Bedder,” Pearl wheezed.
“I’m so sorry for the mistakes. If you’re up for it, we can still perform the ceremony.”
Pearl shook her head. “I cand go oudside.”
“We’re moving everything into the ballroom. Ten minutes.” She hoped.
“But there’s too much pollen in her clothes,” Jennifer said. “She’s not dressed for this anymore. Look at her!”
Pearl put her hand on Jennifer’s shoulder. “Whad does id madder whad I’m wearing, honey? I’m nod going do love you any less because I dond have on Spanx and a crinoline.”
Jennifer covered Pearl’s hand with her own. “But you looked so beautiful.” Her voice softened and she tucked a stray lock of hair behind Pearl’s ear. “Mybeautiful bride.”
