I glance in the mirror. Despite all the champagne and laughter, my heart drops a little. All this pretty hair and makeup, a big white gown and it’s just for show.
Daniel comes back in. He stops and blinks, then nods slowly. “That’s quite a gown. Old-fashioned but you look beautiful. It suits you, Miss Dawes.”
“Thank you. And please, call me Minna.” I stifle a hiccup.
“Here is the contract. I’ve marked an X where you need to sign.” He gives me a large, stapled set of papers, then hands me a pen. My cell phone starts buzzing with text messages as I pick up the pen. I barely glance at the release form as I sign my name in the required spaces and hand it back. I’ve done enough photoshoots to know they all say the same thing.
“Thank you. I’ll be back to collect you closer to one.” He turns to go.
“Aren’t you going to tell me who the groom is?”
“That’s part of the paperwork. You’ll meet him on arrival. Is it a deal breaker? I’m afraid you’ve already signed.”
I wave my hand. “It’s fine. Just curious.”
Daniel points over at Millie, who’s staring out of the window, still on her phone call. “Please make sure your friend changes out of her jeans if she wishes to accompany you. The country club hasverystrict rules about how guests are dressed in their formal spaces.”
My mouth drops open as he flashes an apologetic smile at me and quietly closes the door.
Millie takes the phone away from her ear and puts it in her bag.
I roll my eyes. “Mills, you won’t believe it. Daniel says you can’t wear jeans. Something about formal spaces having a dress code. Can you believe it? Just for a photoshoot?”
“I’m not coming, Minna, I have to get back to Snowflake Falls. Take a look at your phone. There’s been a big fire up at Peppermint Lodge, it’s all hands on deck according to Stone. He’s called me a cab.”
“What? Is everyone okay?”
“A couple of firefighters were injured, but they got everyone out.” She shakes her head as I start to unbutton my dress. “Don’t you dare, Minna. Stay here, you’ve already signed the form. Get the photoshoot done and then come back later. You need this money for Horace. I’ll keep you updated.”
I sigh. “I can’t believe it. Peppermint Lodge is one of my favorite places in Snowflake. Do they know what caused the fire?”
“Stone wasn’t sure.” Millie grabs her coat and the big bag she brought with her. She looks down at her phone. “It’s going to be here in five, I’ll start down all those stairs now. Don’t be nervous, you look stunning in that dress. And maybe the groom will be cute!” She blows me a kiss and disappears through the door.
My nerves increase the longer I wait on my own and I end up finishing the bottle of champagne. Mom’s sent me a bunch of texts about the fire, but they’re all safe. Millie’s words ring in my head. I do need this money.
Dr. Abbott has also sent a photo of my cat Horace, who’s woken up from his hip replacement surgery. His little yellow eyes are barely open, his black and brown fur rumpled, but according to the vet he’s in good shape. Grandma Dawes left her cat to me in her will and Horace is my last connection to her. He’s a sweet boy, only seven years old, but he has arthritis and dysplasia. And now a metal hip.
I mull over the ways I can make more money to pay back the surgery costs. Dr. Abott’s let me do a payment plan, but I’ll be paying it back for the next seven years, at least. I square my shoulders. This shoot pays five hundred dollars. That’s a start. And, who knows, maybe one of my books will trend on TikTok or something. I need to be positive.
Daniel appears.“All ready for you.”
I start downstairs, holding up the hem of my dress. As we get to the bottom of the stairs, we turn right, into a big hallway smothered with flowers. If Millie thought the front of this place was fancy, the interior takes it to another level.
Daniel ushers me into a small room off the hallway and hands me a delicate bouquet of pale pink roses and peonies. “As specified by the contract, you’ll have to walk down the aisle on your own. When you get to the top, you see the groom. Can you remember your lines?”
Darn it. I knew I should have looked at the release form more closely. I thought I’d just have to stand there and be photographed. Clearly, there’s some kind of video action going on. I’m going to have to fake it to make it.
“Sure. And we can just re-do it if I mess up, right?”
Daniel laughs nervously. “Well, no. Mr. Harrington would be most displeased. I’ll be back in a minute.”
He leaves and I stare out the small window overlooking the sweeping grounds. Harrington. I’ve heard that name before but where?
Daniel rushes back in, holding the door open. “Come this way.”
The sound of the Wedding March spills out from a room at the end of the hallway. A low hum comes from the room as if it’s filled with people. The scent of flowers is overwhelming.
“Are you okay?” Daniel peers at me. He looks as if he’s prepared to push me down the hall in front of him even if I say no.
