Page 42 of The Wedding Toast
Ria beamed at him.“Do you know what?I think it’s the absolutely perfect solution.I was about to insist that I should step down.But I think if the two of us sit up there together at the front for all the world to see, that’ll make more of a statement, won’t it?”
Jacob’s lips curved up into a smile.
“You know I’m right, dear.If you ask Elena, there will be some murmurings among the folk around here who think they’re better than they are.We both know that I have some pull with those people even now.If Elena and I are together, they’ll get the message that the dragon DuPont not only approves …” She frowned.“She endorses it.Although – what doyouthink?Does any of that even matter to you?”
Jacob nodded happily.“It does.I don’t think it would have occurred to me.But now that you’ve brought it up, I have to say that you can’t refuse.I need you to do this for me.”
She smiled.“And I’ll do it happily.”Her smile faded.“How does Elena feel about it?”
Jacob pursed his lips.“I haven’t actually asked her yet.I wanted to make sure that you …”
Ria nodded.“In that case, may I come with you to talk to her?Things used to be different.She may say no because of how she thinks I might feel.I need to make her understand that it would be my honor.”
“Then yes.I’d love you to come with me.”
She glanced back at the plane.“I’ll ask Bentley to take us up to the house while you … oh no, wait, I’m sure he’ll want to see Smoke and Laura as well.”
She looked up the long driveway to where Xander and Tori had almost reached the garage.“I think Russ and I should take a leaf from their book.We can walk; we’ll see you at the house.”
“Are you sure?”
She laughed as she nodded.“In fact, since I’m wearing my sneakers, I might challenge him to a race.”
Chapter Eleven
“Come on, little missy.You want to help me find Chuck?”
Darlene had spotted Jacob and Bentley, and Bentley’s mom and her man headed up toward the house.She was looking forward to seeing Ria DuPont again; she hadn’t expected to like the woman at first, but she was good people in her own way.Her man, Russ, was a former Marine.So of course, Chuck thought the world of him.
But Becca had told her that Jacob wanted both Alexandria and Elena to be with him as kind of mom figures for the wedding, and while Elena was here in the kitchen they might all get a chance to talk about it – if she and Zia took themselves out of the way.
The child looked up at her with wide eyes.She was cute as a button with glitter all over her hands and in her hair.Elena had given her a sticker book and glitter, and Darlene had a feeling they’d all be eating sparkly cereal in the morning.
“Did you lose him?”she asked as she got to her feet.“He’s probably with the flowers; they’re his friends, you know.”
Darlene huffed out a laugh.“Oh, I know.Let’s go see, shall we?”
“Okay.I’ll bring my ribbon – he might like it.”
Darlene had a feeling that her dear hubby wouldn’t be upset if he never saw another ribbon in his life after Becca’s wedding was over, but she smiled at the girl.
“I think he’ll like to see you.Let’s get going.”
Elena gave her a puzzled look as they left.
“Just need some fresh air,” she explained.“Might as well take the little ’un with me.Let you have your kitchen to yourself for a minute.”
“I don’t mind sharing with you,” Elena told her.“And I never thought I’d say that to anyone.”
“I know what you mean – I’m the same, but if we can get you to Kansas one of these days, I’ll be happy to share my kitchen with you, too.Oh, here comes Jacob and some people.We’ll go out the side steps and leave you to it.”
“See you later.”Elena waved at Zia.
Darlene was surprised when Zia slipped her hand into hers as they walked down toward the garage.
“Are you worried about him?”
“About Chuck?”
