I steadied her automatically. “Autumn,” I said, laughing. “You’re supposed to be on your way to the salon with the wedding party for your manicure.”
“I know.” She shrugged. “I only wanted to see how everything was looking…”
I turned her around and steered her right on out. “Honey, I promise you, everything is going exactly to plan, and is right on schedule.”
“Well, I—”
“Trust me. I do this for a living.” I said soothingly. “Now, all you have to do is go relax and be pampered. I’m here to sweat the details and all the small stuff.”
“What about the tents and tables being set up in the gardens at the park?” Autumn fretted. “What if someone messes with them tonight?”
“They won’t.” I forced cheer into my voice. “I hired security.”
“You did?” Autumn blinked. “I didn’t know that.”
“Of course I did,” I said. “I’m leaving nothing to chance.”
She tried to smile but it wilted around the edges. “At least the forecast is clear tomorrow.”
I rubbed a hand over her back. “Everything will be wonderful. Trust me.”
Lexie and Ivy met us in the back foyer. “There you are.” Lexie glared at Autumn. “Come on, we’re going to be late if we don’t leave right now!”
“Maggie busted me,” Autumn grumbled. “She wouldn’t even let me get a peek at what’s going on for the rehearsal dinner.”
“Hey there, Lexie. Hey, Ivy.” I passed the bride off to her attendants, nodding to each of them. “Can I trust y’all to keep our bride out of trouble for the rest of the day?”
“I’ll cuff her and toss her in a squad car if necessary,” Lexie said straight-faced.
I patted Lexie’s shoulder. “I knew I could depend on you.”
Lexie began to haul a laughing Autumn out, but Ivy remained behind, studying me carefully.
Impatiently, I checked my watch. I had to get moving to make my own appointments. “Something on your mind?”
“Nice shirt,” Ivy said, soberly.
“Thank you,” I said, and scooted her out the door as well. “It makes people laugh and relax a bit. And on a day like today, I can use every weapon at my fingertips.”
“I like you. Didn’t expect to,” Ivy said. “I figured I’d have to be polite—seeing as how you’re a relative and all.”
“Well, bless your heart,” I drawled.
“Ha!” Ivy’s eyes gleamed. “That’s Southern for kiss my ass, if I ever heard it.”
I simply tightened my ponytail and smiled.
“You people wrangle better than anyone I’ve ever seen,” Ivy said.
I smiled. “Sugar, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
Ivy bit her lip. “Are you really going to make Bran wear pastel colored socks with his tux?”
“Yes,” I said, taking her arm and moving her along. “He’ll get a kick out of it. Trust me.”
“Catch you later, bridal ninja.” Ivy sketched a mock bow and rushed to catch up with Lexie and the bride.
I smiled after her. I’ll be damned if I hadn’t ended up liking her as well… I shook off the sentiment and took off at a dead run in the opposite direction toward my cottage so I could get to my next appointment.
I skidded to a halt when I reached my car. There, on the hood, was a dead songbird. It had been mauled, and I didn’t want to leave the poor thing there, so I took a minute, hustled inside and grabbed a plastic grocery bag. Using that, I picked up the bird and carried it to the garbage cans.
“Stray cat got you, I suppose,” I said, dropping the bird in the can. I shut the lid, ran back inside to wash my hands, and rushed to the car, hoping to still make my meeting on time.
***
The wedding rehearsal itself went as I expected, a few fits and starts, but I had the wedding party run through the processional, ceremony, and recessional, a second time and everything fell into place.
Now the dinner had been served and enthusiastically consumed, and the bar was open. Everyone was milling about, laughing and chatting. Ivy was on the move with her camera, taking candid shots for the bride and groom as the party wound down. The bride and groom were walking arm and arm around the ballroom, chatting up their wedding party. I checked for Thomas, saw that he was in deep conversation with the officiant, and then I spotted Julian. He was sitting alone at the bar, sipping on a drink.
Casually, I turned my head, and saw Holly sitting at a table and talking to the Jacobs family. It didn’t seem fair to me that a couple were forced to keep their relationship a secret.
I studied my cousin as he sat there, outwardly calm and unruffled, in another one of his gorgeous tailored suits. To most folks he’d seem aloof, perhaps even slightly bored…but I knew him now. His back was tight and his shoulders were held stiff.
I snuck a quick peek at Holly. She was watching him, but trying not to. Most people wouldn’t have caught that…however it struck me as unbearably sad.
Willow was occupied sitting and talking with Morgan and Lexie, so I decided to join Julian.
“Hey, there,” I said, sliding on to the empty barstool next to him.
“Maggie.” Julian lifted his glass in a slight toast.
“You looked lonely,” I said. “Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” Julian gave me a little smile.
The bartender appeared. “Shot of Jameson,” I said.
Julian cocked a brow at the order.
I flashed him a sweet smile, and when the shot was poured I picked it up, toasted my cousin, and downed the whiskey. “That sure as hell hit the spot,” I said, slapping the empty shot glass back on the bar.
Julian cleared his throat. “Magnolia, you’re a woman of hidden talents and skills.”
I tilted my head. “Sugar, you have no idea.”
Julian threw back