“You stay right there, and I’ll bring you something good to eat.”
A search of my fridge produced some leftover chicken casserole that Tux pounced on happily. I’d have to make a run to the store for kitty litter and cat food, but for now I needed to put my feet up. I slumped onto my couch and mentally ran through my to-do list. Natalie’s bridal shower was in two days—no stress. If only every bride were as delightful to work with as Natalie. Immediately, an image of Briette came to my mind, and tears welled up in my eyes.
My best friend had been the perfect client. Everything was new, exciting, and special. I had reveled in every moment of planning for Briette and Caleb. Three elaborate bridal showers, one of which was held in Georgia, and Briette flew me there to help coordinate and to attend. She had been so happy. The night she died had been the Babe Bash she threw for her six bridesmaids and me, the maid of honor. She had completely surprised me with that one, using one of my associates to plan it so I could attend stress free.
I’d never forget the glow of happiness on her face when she dropped me off after the party. “You’re the best friend a girl could have, Adri.” She hugged me fiercely and then giggled. “That guy was totally into you tonight. You better answer if he calls.”
I remembered rolling my eyes. “When would I have time to date?”
“You make time. Speaking of which, I’d better go.” She blew me a kiss. “Love your guts!” she called out as she drove away.
My bottom lip trembled, and I swiped at the tears weighing down my lashes. Caleb hadn’t checked in for two months. I considered calling him to see if there were any new leads with the private investigators he’d hired to look into Briette’s murder. My fingers grazed the screen of my phone. No, if Caleb knew anything, I would be one of the first people he would call. I leaned my head back against the couch and closed my eyes. A few minutes later, the jangle of my phone startled me awake.
Chapter 18
1,000 Reasons I Picked You
Select flowers of the same variety as those in the bridal bouquet and separate petals from the stems.
Open journal so that the outside front and back covers lie flat. Brush a light coat of Mod Podge glue over the entire cover and spine of a hardbound journal and press petals onto the cover. Apply a second coat of Mod Podge and allow to dry. Once dry, add one more coat of Mod Podge or shellac for a glossy look. On the first page of the journal, print “1,000 Reasons I Picked You . . .”
Ask the bride and the groom for three reasons they picked the other and write those on the first few pages of the journal, as well as instructions for the couple to continue to remember and write other reasons in the journal over the first few years of their marriage.
Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.
I fumbled to answer the phone, which had slid between the couch cushions. A glance at the clock on my mantel had me rubbing my eyes. Somehow I had lost track of twenty minutes—an unplanned power nap was probably just what I needed, though. I answered the call on the third ring. “Hey, Dallas.”
“Adri, are you okay? Why haven’t you answered my texts?” His voice sounded tense.
“Huh? I—let me check. I just got home and fell asleep on my couch. It’s been a stressful day.” I switched the phone to speaker and scrolled through my text messages. There were three from Dallas, all in the last twenty minutes.
“I’m sorry,” he said. His voice lowered a notch. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
I scanned his messages asking me how I was doing and if we could get together tonight. It irked me that he had called to check up on me because I hadn’t answered his texts. But maybe I had missed one from earlier. I double-checked and didn’t see anything. “I see some messages from the last half hour. Did you try to send some earlier, ‘cause I don’t see anything.”
“Usually you respond so quickly, and I knew you were home, so I thought I’d call.”
“What do you mean, you knew I was home?” I tried to keep the edge out of my voice, unsuccessfully.
“I meant, I figured you would be home. It’s nearly seven.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry, I just hoped I could see you today.” He paused, and I could hear the nervous tremor in his voice as he continued, “I miss you.”
Man, this guy was a heartbreaker. I vacillated for a moment, thinking of his kisses. “I can’t. I have a huge bridal shower in a couple of days, and Sylvia Rockfort cancelled her wedding today, but I have to wait until tomorrow to see if she reinstates. I’m really behind because of the trouble we had with the stolen dresses.” I knew I was babbling, but I couldn’t help it.
“I understand.” Dallas sounded so vulnerable, I almost changed my mind and told him to come over. “Do you have any time tomorrow?”
My to-do list popped back into my head, and I remembered that I had been scanning it before I fell asleep. “Hmm.” I stalled for a minute, trying to think how I could squeeze him into my schedule. I wanted to see him, but June was just the beginning of my busy season—I had three more weddings in July. I needed to drive up the mountain and make sure the area Natalie and Brock had selected for their outdoor wedding would work. I’d be taking Warm Springs Road, which led to Frenchman’s Bend, a beautiful area with natural hot pools right in the middle of the creek. “Have you ever been up to the hot springs?”
“No. Those are the volcanic springs,
