Page 22 of The Wedding Toast
“That’s good to know,” said Jacob.“And do you help your mom with the flowers?”
Zia shook her head slowly.“Only Mom has that kind of magic.”
She turned to Slade when he chuckled.“It really is magic, you know.That’s what people say every time, when she builds her flower arches and things for them.”
“I can believe it,” said Jacob, smiling at Alara.“From the photos I’ve seen, your work really is magical.What do you think?Would the two of you like to come up to the house?My fiancée’s mom’s there, and Elena who works here.They’re eager to meet you.They’ve both said they’ll be happy to help keep an eye on your daughter while you work, if you’d like.”
“Thanks,” said Alara.
“My name’s Zia,” the girl announced firmly.“I’m my own person as well as my mom’s daughter.”
Jacob’s lips twitched with the smile he was trying to hold back as he addressed her solemnly.“Well, excuse me, young lady.I shall be sure to refer to you by your own name in the future, then.And it’s a very nice name – I’ve never heard it before.”
“It meanslight,” she explained proudly.“In Arabic, and in Persian it meanssplendor.Did you know that?”
“I did not,” Jacob told her.
“Now you do.”She gave him a sassy little smile.
“Zia.”Alara held her hand out to the girl.“Come.Climb back in – we’re going to follow Mr.Jacobs up to the house.”
“Okay.”Zia looked at Slade.“You’re not coming, are you?”
“I’m not,” Slade answered.“Although I wish I could.I’m sure you guys will have fun,” he added with a wink at Jacob.
“We will,” said Zia.“I’ll tell you all about it when we come back out.But I knew you couldn’t come.You stay here to guard the entrance to the Empire, don’t you?”
Slade chuckled.“That’s right, young lady, I do.”
“If you want to follow me,” said Jacob, “we’ll go up to the house and I’ll introduce you to Darlene and Elena.And then I’ll show you around, see what you think, if you want to take the job.”
Alara nodded, and Zia – who was already on her way back to the Suburban – stopped and looked back over her shoulder.
“She will,” she announced.“She likes it here already.”
With that, she climbed into the rear seat of the Suburban through the door she’d left wide open when she got out.
Jacob stood beside Slade a moment longer, as they watched Alara secure Zia into her car seat.
“You have a good feeling about this?”Slade asked.
Jacob nodded, his eyes on the cornflowers lining the driveway.“The best.”
Chapter Six
On Wednesday morning, Becca rested her hand on Jacob’s shoulder as she leaned in to pour him a fresh coffee.
He reached up and covered her hand with his.“Thanks.Are you going to sit down and join me now?”
“I am.I’m just going to grab my plate.”
Once she was seated across from him, she reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.“I have to tell you, I love getting a moment alone together like this.I mean, it’s awesome having everyone around, having my folks staying with us.Everything’s only so busy because of the wedding, but…” She squeezed his hand again.“I didn’t know if we’d get any time alone together at all this week.”
She loved the way his gray eyes seemed to shine as he squeezed her hand back.“I’m with you – getting breakfast together with no one else around is a welcome surprise.Elena won’t be here until a little later today, she’s running some errands before she comes in.I don’t know what time your mom and dad will be back from town.”
Becca laughed.“It could be half an hour or all morning – I don’t even want to guess.Mom will want to take her time looking around, and Dad will be in a hurry to get back.So, we’ll just have to make the most of whatever time we get.”
She frowned.“Or is there something I’m missing?There’s no one else coming by first thing this morning, is there?”
