“I didn’t know you had a cat,” Dad said.
“Meet Tux.” I patted the kitten’s head. “He was hanging around my shop, so I brought him home.” I refilled his food dish and set the kitten outside to eat.
“He’s a cute little thing.” My mom sat next to my dad and watched Tux through the window.
I settled into my chair and wrapped my hands around the warm mug. “I’ll tell you my story if you promise not to tell me how foolish I’ve been.”
My dad chuckled.
“It all started when I offered to help Lorea with some alterations. She was behind on the bridesmaids’ dresses, so I told her I could pick out the hem of Natalie’s wedding gown.”
It was after two when we finally called it a night, and I could barely keep my eyes open. My parents had plenty more questions, but Mom told Dad he’d have to wait.
“She needs her strength for tomorrow.”
“Yeah, Natalie’s bridal shower starts at six. It’s a good thing it’s hers and not Sylvia’s, or you’d have to commit me right about now.” Natalie would be forgiving of the few last-minute items I hadn’t completed.
“I’ll help you. Don’t worry yourself into a frenzy.”
I hugged my mom and dad. “Thanks for being here.”
My parents crashed in my guest room on an air mattress, and thanks to sheer exhaustion, I slept until eight the next morning.
Chapter 22
Strike a Pose
Set up a photo booth at the reception for a lasting memory of your guests. Select fun props that coordinate with the wedding theme and encourage guests to choose a prop and strike a pose.
Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.
The following afternoon Mom helped me load the Mountaineer with everything I needed to take to the shower. Natalie had selected a decorative box of chocolates and a handmade bag for each of her five bridesmaids. Brock had offered to pay for everything, but she nonetheless had used her own hard-earned money for the gifts. Although she wanted a simple wedding, she had requested several elegant touches. For Brock’s part, he tried to honor her wishes while pleasing his family and the public eye, so the wedding would be a bit larger than the original plan.
The florist, Melissa Catmull, stopped by at ten o’clock and brought in a gorgeous arrangement of roses. I quirked my eyebrow as I looked at it. The roses were stunning, pink with white marbling through the petals, but they weren’t the dinner-plate dahlias Natalie had ordered for today.
Melissa’s strappy red heels clicked as she approached me with a smile. “These are for you. Special delivery.” She indicated the white card tucked between the blossoms and then handed me the bouquet. “I’ll be right back to have you check the arrangement for this evening.”
My heart warmed as I reached for the card. Dallas was so thoughtful. He’d texted me several times that morning, checking to see if I was okay. I inhaled the strong scent that antique roses hold in rich abundance. The tissue paper crinkled as I pulled the card out of the tiny envelope. I scanned the note and sighed. It wasn’t from Dallas, and I didn’t like the way my heart flip-flopped with anticipation as I read the card.
Adri,
I’d better leave the watering to the professionals. Sorry about your shirt.
Please call me.
Luke
His phone number trailed after his signature, and a grin tugged at the corners of my mouth. Why was I even thinking of calling him?
Mom was in and out of the shop through the back entrance, loading the last of the supplies. I didn’t want her to see the note from Luke. I could only imagine the discussion she and Jenna had about me after I left Sunday.
“Those are beautiful. Who sent them?” Lorea came up behind me and snatched the card before I could hide it. She read it and then waved it in front of me. “What’s this all about?”
“Turns out ‘the hottie’ lives just around the corner from me.” I laughed when Lorea jumped up and down in place, waiting for more. “And Dallas was the agent who sold him his house.”
“That’s a crazy coincidence. So he knows your boyfriend, but he still asked you out?” Lorea narrowed her eyes. “You did tell him you were dating Dallas, didn’t you?”
“Yes, give me some credit.” I tipped a rose forward and sniffed. “He grilled me about Dallas—told me he could tell I wasn’t serious about him and that I should date other people.”
“Wow, he’s presumptuous.”
“Yeah, that too.”
Lorea waved the card at me again. “Just go out with him. I can tell you want to.”
I grabbed the card and tucked it under the vase of roses. “I even told Tony that Dallas is my boyfriend.”
“So, is that what your heart wants?”
Leave it to Lorea to get straight to the point. I sighed. “I don’t know. When he saved me—it was incredible. I felt so much love from him. I’ve never had someone be so attentive before. I like it.”
“But you’re not sure about him.”
“We haven’t known each other very long. At first he was painfully shy, but he got over that pretty fast, and now he’s totally into me. He’s a great kisser, but sometimes he seems too intense.” I thought about it and swallowed. “He almost killed that guy with his bare hands.”
“So I heard. I’d be kissing him too.”
“I didn’t think he was capable of something like that. He was so angry.”
“You worry too much. Of course he’d be angry. The guy was going to kill you . . . or something.”
I cringed, thinking of that man’s hot hands on my chest.
“Either way, you have to call Luke.” Lorea touched one of the velvety rose petals. “I don’t think it would hurt anything to meet him for lunch. He already knows about Dallas. It’s not like you’re sneaking around. Maybe it will help you decide what to do.”
“Please don’t mention any of this
