Page 161 of Lavender Lake
“There’s another case back at the house,” I explained. “In the cellar.”
“I’ll grab it,” Wade said.
I shook my head. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get Cas’s help.”
“Cas? Who the hell is Cas?” Wade asked.
“Bowman,” I clarified.
“You sure?” Wade asked.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I’m the undesignated wedding planner right now. If there are any fires, I’ll put them out.”
I left the mobile bar and went to find Cas. He was talking to Gracie and Cole. Their toddler was perched on Gracie’s hip and she smiled and reached for me the moment I joined them.
“Oh, hello,” I said, taking Bella before she launched herself out of her mother’s arms.
“This is new behavior,” Cole said in surprise. “She’s usually pretty reserved with strangers.”
Bella’s hands went to my tresses.
“Oh, she’s going to mess up your hair,” Gracie said as she extracted her daughter from my arms.
“Worth it,” I said, taking one of Bella’s hands and kissing it. “She’s adorable.”
“She’s on her best behavior,” Cole said. “But a meltdown is imminent. If we’re lucky, we’ll make it to the cake before that happens.”
“What is the cake?” Cas asked. “Hadley mentioned it, but she was mysterious about it.”
“Nah, you have to wait like everyone else. It’s a secret between me and Hadley. But I told Cole he’d love it,” Gracie said.
“I bet Salem knows,” Cole said, looking at me.
I shook my head. “Nope. I know nothing about it. I’m just here for the cheese.” I looked at Cas. “Can I borrow you for a second? Wade’s out of ginger beer, but there’s a case in the cellar in the house.”
“And you want me and my brawn to carry it, right?” Cas asked.
“Yes. Exactly.” I grinned, and then turned back to Cole and Gracie. “See you guys in a few.”
“Cake,” Cole urged. “Send out the cake.”
Gracie dumped their daughter into his arms. “You had your wedding with your very own cake. Patience.”
Cas and I walked toward the house. I caught Gideon’s eye. I waved and he waved back before continuing his conversation with his father.
We ducked into the house and found the catering staff on a break, enjoying lemonade and iced tea.
“We’re just here to get a case of ginger beer,” I said when a few of them shot up from their seats. “At ease.”
“I guess we’ll tell them to get the cake ready when we head back up,” Cas said as he followed me down the cellar steps.
I hit the light and an Edison bulb flickered, illuminating the brick-and-mortar room.
The temperature immediately cooled. We passed the stored onions and potatoes, along with several other root vegetables. There were shelves and shelves of canned and pickled foods.
“Ah, here’s the case of ginger beer,” I said.
“That’s not a case, that’s a crate.” Cas bent down and lifted one of the bottles. “Ginger beer. You mean, homemade ginger beer? That’s what Wade’s been serving the guests?”
