Page 89 of The Wedding Toast
“From what I’ve heard, there’d be plenty of work for you.And from what I’ve seen, plenty of people who’d be happy to have you here.”
She gave him a sad smile.“If things were different, I might have considered it, but we’re on our way to Oregon.”
He cocked an eyebrow, hoping she’d explain, but knowing that it wasn’t his business, so he shouldn’t push.
She shrugged.“I have work there.And Zia is going to have to start school in the fall.It doesn’t come naturally to either of us, but I think we’re going to have to settle down for a while.”She made a face.“Work a real job.You know how it goes.”
He nodded.He did.But he wanted to ask why she couldn’t do that here.Again, it was none of his business.
“There you are,” said Bentley.“I’ve been looking for you.Oh, sorry, Alara.Is everything okay?”
“It is,” she told him.“Although I should probably get back to it.”
Jacob held her gaze for a moment.He wanted to talk to her about the options she might have if she decided to stay in Napa, but he didn’t have the time right now.And he wouldn’t have the time again before she left.He and Becca were leaving this evening.They weren’t flying out until the morning, but they were going to spend the night in a hotel in town.He hadn’t wanted to spend their wedding night under the same roof as her entire family.
“Is everything all right?”Bentley asked as they followed the path away from the house, leaving Alara and all the bustle of caterers and decorators behind them as they headed toward the garage.
“Everything’s great,” Jacob told him with a smile.
Bentley laughed.“I know you’re fine – I meant with Alara.She seemed … sad?What’s her story?”
Jacob glanced back over his shoulder at her.She was already engrossed in her work again, painstakingly attaching flowers and threading ribbon through the intricate construction.
“I don’t really know.She and Zia live in a camper, from what I understand.Napa is only a stop for her on the way to Oregon.”
“Oh.”Bentley glanced back at her too, sounding disappointed.“Really?The girls aren’t going to be happy about that.”
Jacob cocked an eyebrow.
“They’ve all fallen in love with her work.Alyssa’s talked about asking her to do the flowers for our wedding.”He gave Jacob a wry smile.“I already told her we can’t have a bluebell arch – I don’t want you to feel like I’m copy-pasting all your ideas.”
Jacob laughed.“I’d never think that!It’s not as though I’m the only guy in the world who incorporated flowers into his proposal, is it?”
“No, but knowing what you did with the cornflowers did inspire me to figure out the bluebells for Alyssa.”
“And to me that just means we’re two smart guys who know what our ladies like.The thing is, though, whatever you do with flowers for your wedding, it looks like you’ll have to find someone else.”
Bentley made a face.“Maybe – maybe not.Willow has her heart set on asking Alara to do their flowers too, and you know what she’s like – if she has her heart set on something …”
Jacob chuckled.“Then maybe we should put Willow in charge of persuading Alara to stay.Hannah and Delaney have talked about using her work as well, so …”
“Do you know why she’s headed to Oregon?”
“All she said was that she has work there” – he smiled – “and that Zia has to start school.”
“Well, it sounds like she could have all the work she wants and more here.And you have an in at the elementary school.”
“True, and Becca’s fallen in love with Zia.”Jacob laughed.“She said she hopes at least one of our kids will be like her – although I’m not sure I’d survive.”
Bentley laughed with him.“I’m with you.”
They’d reached the garage now, and Jacob looked around before he reached for the door handle.
Bentley hurried inside with him and pulled the door closed after them.“It’d be a shame if your secret got out now, wouldn’t it?”
Jacob nodded with a smile.It would, but he thought he was in the clear.Becca would be far too busy for the rest of the day to even wonder what the secret was that he’d been keeping.And when she saw … he couldn’t wait to see her face.
~ ~ ~
