Page 23 of Reckless Chances
“It’s at the end of the month.”
“Totally doable,” Emma breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll just have to check with my suppliers. Do you have the details of the arrangements?”
“I do,” Emma opened up the giant leather binder she had clasped to her chest and pulled out a glossy pink file folder.
Charlotte squeezed Emma’s forearm. “I’m going to leave you two to this. I’m glad you can help each other out.”
Emma glanced at Charlotte and a wave of gratitude washed over her, “Thank you, Charlotte. For everything.”
Charlotte smiled and looked like she was about to say something but was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She held up her index finger, mouthed ‘bye’, and waved as she barked “Charlotte O’Hare,” into her phone.
Emma turned back to Jenni. “I don’t know how that woman does it.”
“She’s pretty amazing,” Jenni agreed. “I remember seeing her billboards when I lived in the city. When I met her, I was kind of star-struck.”
Emma felt an instant camaraderie with Jenni. “Me too,” she confided. “I was nervous. I thought she’d be a total bitch.”
“Right?!” Jenni gushed. “Oh my god. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one.”
Emma’s comfort level only rose as the two of them sat at her worktable and got to know each other. They were the same age and had both lived in the city. Jenni had moved to Chance Rapids six months before Emma, so they were both new ‘city girl’ transplants.
“What made you pick Chance Rapids?” Emma asked.
“This.” Jenni opened the file folder and the same bridal magazine article that Emma had read was torn and stapled to the corner of the folder. “A new client requested to have her wedding here.” Jenni pointed to the picture of the gorgeous bride and groom standing in front of an arbor dwarfed by the mountain peaks. “I was going to refer her to someone here, but after doing some digging I found out that there isn’t a wedding planner in town – and after this article, I knew that every bride was going to want to have her wedding here.
“That’s crazy,” Emma said.
“You think?” Jenni’s eyes were wide. She had misinterpreted Emma’s shock at the coincidence.
“This article. That’s what brought me here too,” She smiled and tapped her finger on the glossy paper. Could this day get any more perfect? Emma had made a new friend and could add a wedding planner contact to her growing list of pros for Chance Rapids. So far there weren’t any ‘cons.’
Jenni’s eyes grew even wider. “Really? Emma, this might sound weird, but can I hug you?”
“It does sound weird, and yes!” Emma laughed and the women embraced in a friendly hug. “I can’t believe how everything is falling into place,” Emma said.
“I felt the same way when I moved here. Chance Rapids is a magical place,” Jenni gushed.
Emma’s eyes caught the glossy photograph of the bridal bouquet in the folder. She pulled the picture out and traced her fingers over the peony arrangement. “Pink peonies?”
“Pale pink with roses the same shade.” Jenni fanned through more photos and showed Emma the examples.
Emma kept it to herself, but she knew that she was going to nail this wedding. The stars had aligned, and somehow, this bride had chosen the exact arrangements she had wanted for her own wedding. “I’ll have to see if I can get these ordered in time.” Emma’s mind was already racing, this bride’s vision was one that she could totally ace.
“No need,” Jenni said. “The Windswan florist has already ordered them and is going to have them shipped here.” She paused. “If you’re interested.”
Emma couldn’t contain her grin. “I’ll do it, and Jenni...” she paused. “It’s going to be perfect.”
“Thank you, Emma,” Jenni laid out the rest of the photos. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“Where is the ceremony?” Emma took out her notebook and jotted down some notes about the arrangements. “It’s at the top of Sugar Peak. The reception will be at the ski lodge.”
“Wait. What day is this again?” The day had been full of coincidences. Could this be the wedding she had just been invited to attend with Charlie?
“It’s the 29th.”
Emma flipped to her calendar and scribbled Sugar Peaks' wedding on the 29th. “I have something important to ask you.” Her voice was serious.
“Okay,” Jenni crossed her arms across her blouse. “This doesn’t sound good.”
“I have to check the date with...” Did she call Charlie her boyfriend? “I might have a wedding that day.”
“Oh, you’re already booked?” Jenni seemed confused – and rightly so.
“No, I think that I might be going to this wedding.” Emma laughed at the absurdity of the coincidence. “Is that going to be a problem?”
