Page 11 of The Wedding Toast
“No!Not at all.I love how well they get along with everyone.”
“We don’t just get along with them,” said Hannah.“We love them.I know you wouldn’t want them moving in with you, but I told Jacob the other day that I wished they lived here full-time.Your folks are like … real parents.”She cringed.“I don’t mean that ours weren’t, but …” She blew out a sigh.“I guess all I’m trying to say is that I love them – we all do.”
Alyssa nodded her agreement and shot a smile at Willow.“Even Ria loves them.”
Willow nodded enthusiastically.“She does.She’s looking forward to seeing them again, and she’s excited to sit with them since Jacob asked her to be kind of mother-of-the-groom.”She laughed.“But I should warn you now, if Mom gets it into her head to invite your folks over to bingo night with Vic and Ingrid…!”
“Oh my god!”exclaimed Hannah.“We so need to set that up.”She turned to Alyssa.“You have to see it.If someone had told me a few years ago that the great Alexandria DuPont would one day be open to going for a night out playing bingo, I would never have believed it.”
“Me neither,” said Willow.“And she’s not just open to going, she’s more like a bingo fiend.When you get her and Ingrid together…” She shook her head with a laugh.“So, yeah.The point is that we’re all looking forward to seeing your folks – even my mom.”She looked more serious as she met Becca’s gaze and added, “And if you have any lingering doubts about how well you fit in here – you or your folks – now’s the time to bring them up.”She turned to Alyssa and Hannah.“Because we can talk her right out of them, can’t we ladies?”
Becca loved the way the others nodded encouragingly, but she shook her head.“I did have my concerns in the beginning – you all know that.But I’m over them now – I’ve been over them for a long time.How could I not be?Jacob’s so … well, he’s just Jacob.And all of you have been so good to me that …” She stopped and dabbed at her eyes, surprised to feel the sting of tears.
Alyssa touched her arm.“It’s okay,” she reassured her.
Willow raised her glass.“It’s more than okay.It’s fan-freaking-tastic.I’m so glad you’re here, glad that you guys are getting married.Here’s to you – Becca and Jacob.”
The others tapped their glasses against Willow’s, saying, “Becca and Jacob,” and Becca basked in the warm wave of happiness that welled up in her chest and threatened to overflow.
Chapter Four
When Jacob came out of the store, he checked his watch.He’d come into town to run a few errands – mostly he’d come so that Becca would have some time alone with her parents when they first arrived.
It wasn’t that he was trying to get away from them.He enjoyed their company and was looking forward to seeing them again.He always did.But he knew they’d enjoy having Becca to themselves when they first arrived.He smiled as he crossed the street.One of his errands was to stop at the candy store.Both Chuck and Darlene had taken a liking to the local fudge.
It made him laugh.He’d lived in Napa all his life, and until they’d come to visit, he hadn’t been aware that there was such a thing as local fudge.He hesitated as he passed Molly’s restaurant.He didn’t know if Grady would be working at lunchtime, but he could pop in to see Molly.
He checked his watch again.Then again, maybe not.He wanted to give Becca some time with her folks, but he didn’t want to be out for too long, and he’d almost decided he was going to stop at the DuPont estate on his way back home.
After he’d bought the fudge – salted caramel for Chuck, and chocolate for Darlene – he headed back to where he’d parked his Range Rover.
Once he was behind the wheel, he took his cell phone out and checked.There was still no reply from this Alara woman.He let out a sigh.Perhaps it was a sign that he shouldn’t bother.Yes, the arch was beautiful.It could even prove to be the crowning piece.But it was Monday already.All the other plans had been in place for months and were finally coming together.The decorators hadn’t been thrilled this morning when he’d proposed the idea of adding the arch, although they had thawed somewhat when he’d shown them Elena’s photos.
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.He wanted to try calling Alara again… but he started the engine and decided he’d stop at the DuPont estate on his way home.
When he arrived there, he drove right on by the house, heading instead for the offices.When he got there, he jogged up the steps and the girl sitting behind the reception desk greeted him with a smile.
“Hi, Mr.Jacobs.I think Bentley’s in a meeting, but I’ll just check and—”
Jacob held his hand up.“That’s okay.It’s actually Willow I’m here to see.”
“Oh, okay, sorry.I just assumed…” She looked a little flustered.“I … let me see if she’s available.”
Jacob stood to one side and waited.He was tempted to run up to Willow’s office, but if she were busy, she wouldn’t appreciate the interruption.
A few moments later the girl looked up at him.“She’s on her way down.”
It was only a few minutes before Willow appeared and greeted him with a puzzled smile.“Is everything all right?What can I do for you?Bentley’s in a meeting, but…”
He gave her a rueful smile.“It’s not Bentley I’m after.I’ve come to ask your advice.”
Willow glanced at the girl behind the desk.“Hold my calls, would you, Juliet?And call Andrew, let him know I won’t be in my office.I’ll stop by to see him when I’m ready.”
Jacob frowned.“I don’t mean to disturb you, I—”
Willow waved a hand at him.“It’s fine.Want to walk outside?”
Jacob held the door for her, and once they were back outside in the sunshine, he was glad she’d suggested it.
