Page 6 of The Wedding Toast
Ollie slapped the back of his friend's head.“You don't need to go anywhere.They have an online registry.You just need to take a look and order something.You should get on it soon though.There might not be much left by now.You'll be left with the small cheap trinkets that Becca thought to put on there so that no one has to feel bad.”
Reaves laughed.“She's a real sweetheart, isn't she?”
“She is.She's good for Jacob.”
“What do you think her friend's like – Callie.She moved here from Kansas, too, didn't she?”
“Yeah, from what Bentley told me, she's a ceramicist.”
“A what now?”
Ollie laughed.“I thought that too – I'd call her a pottery maker, I think.She works with ceramics – you know, a potter's wheel and kiln.”
“And she lives in Fort Bragg?”
“That's right.”
“You think she's maybe a bit …” Reaves made a face.“Like a hippie?All peace and pot and … not really Jacob's kind of person?”
Ollie had to laugh at the description.“I don't think so.Jacob said that he's met her before, and he seems to think a lot of her.Although he would just because she's Becca's best friend so …” He shrugged.“I guess we'll just have to wait till Wednesday to find out.”
“Want me to come with you?”
“You can if you like, but there's no need.”
Reaves parked in front of the hangar.“Yeah, I might leave you to face that one alone.Since you're flying the Cirrus, you don't need me, and she might not be comfortable with both of us.”
Ollie nodded.“She might not be comfortable with just me, either, but I'll get her here for Becca.”
“Rather you than me.”
“Whatever.You're just afraid you won't know how to talk to her.”
“When have I ever not known how to talk to a woman?”Reaves waggled his eyebrows.
“I don't mean like that.I mean, if she is, you know – a bit of a hippie, granola type, then it might be awkward.But I can handle it.”
“And you're welcome to her.Want to come back to the house with me after we're done here?I told Dad I'd stop by.I was thinking I'd bring him takeout for dinner.You want to join us?”asked Reaves.
“Yeah, thanks.I'd like that.I haven't seen Charles for a while.”He punched Reaves's arm.“I'll show you how to shop from the wedding registry while I'm there too.”
~ ~ ~
Jacob watched Reaves’s SUV as it left the house and followed the winding driveway across the DuPont estate toward the hangar.
“Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?”asked Bentley.
Jacob turned back to him with a smile.“No.Call me sentimental – it seems to be the truth at the moment – but I wanted a minute just for us.The guys are great, and I appreciate their help – I appreciate you letting them help with flying guests in – but …” His words trailed off.
Bentley lifted a shoulder and smiled.“It’s okay, I get it.I wanted you to myself before you leave too.Not because I have anything momentous to say, just because it’s good to be with my buddy for a while.”
“That’s it,” said Jacob.
Bentley’s smile faded.“And when you said you’re feeling sentimental at the moment … your folks?”
Jacob nodded once the bands of grief that had once felt so familiar, tight around his chest.“It doesn’t make sense.The wedding wouldn’t be what it is if they were here.”He smiled through pursed lips.“Becca and I might not have made it if my mom had a say.”
He had to chuckle when Bentley said, “I know what you mean, although I believe that Darlene might have given her a run for her money.And Chuck might just have won her over.I think your dad would have loved them, and I know he’d love Becca.”
