Kelsey wasn’t sure what giving Faith the wedding of her dreams entailed. After four completely different weddings, it seemed Faith’s idea of a dream wedding kept changing. And now with the fifth… Kelsey’s stomach knotted at the thought. “We can do that.”
As Starr touched Kelsey’s hand, her eyes reflected her gratitude. “That’s why we had to have your help. My family wanted to p-p-postpone the wedding, but it must go on. It’s important my baby has someone to look out for her and take care of her. I…Bill and I won’t be around forever.”
“Don’t say that.”
“But it’s true, and if this wedding isn’t perfect…”
Starr sounded so defeated. In the three years Kelsey had known her, Starr had never admitted defeat. Not after Faith’s four canceled weddings. Not even after a Starr Properties Caribbean resort was demolished by a hurricane. And Starr wouldn’t be defeated now, not if Kelsey had anything to say about it.
Tears pooled in Kelsey’s eyes. However subtle, there had been changes due to the stroke. Starr was still determined, but her unwavering self-confidence had disappeared.
“It must be p-p-perfect,” Starr insisted.
“I promise you, the wedding will be perfect.” No matter the effort Kelsey had to put in between now and the wedding day, she would not disappoint Starr. Kelsey would give Faith the wedding of her dreams even if it killed her.
* * *
Today was killing him.
No,Will corrected himself,shewas killing him. She, as in Kelsey Armstrong Waters. These past few hours at his parents’ house had passed slower than being stuck in a plane at O’Hare waiting for a takeoff slot during a thunderstorm.
Why did Kelsey have to be the one making his parents so happy? Mom’s recovery and rehabilitation had taken its toll on his parents. Not even visits from Faith or Hope and her kids over the past few months had made them look so relaxed, so like their old selves, as Kelsey had. He knew her ability to set people at ease must come in handy when dealing with stressed clients, but he had to admit that with his parents, her efforts seemed sincere. Will didn’t know whether to be concerned or relieved.
And that made him feel guilty because he recognized the changes in his parents. Good changes. Not only had his mother been smiling most of the morning, an improvement over the depression plaguing her since the stroke, but her speech had improved. She still spoke slowly, but talking about the wedding made her pronunciation better, with little to no stuttering.
Will couldn’t believe it. And his father…
Over breakfast, Will could visibly see the weight of the last few months lifting gradually off Dad’s shoulders as she charmed him with her wit.
Will should have been happy, but he wasn’t. The weight Dad shed landed right in his gut and chest, weighing him down. Big time. Mom might be reviewing ideas with Kelsey, but he would be the one working with her, spending all his time with her, living with her. Though, that had been the best option for keeping the wedding a secret. Still, it would be much easier if she left. Not tomorrow. Not after Faith’s wedding. But today.
Mom’s laughter reached across the room and warmed Will’s heart. She hadn’t laughed this way in a long time.
Guilt tightened his throat. How could he be thinking of his own comfort when Kelsey was making such a difference for his parents?
“The theme should revolve around hearts since it’s Valentine’s Day,” Mom proclaimed.
Kelsey jotted in a notebook. “Have the colors been chosen?”
“Faith left it up to me.”
The pride in his mom’s voice made Will smile. For Mom, he would work with Kelsey. No matter how much her presence unsettled him. He could handle two weeks.
“I was thinking red and pink, but that might be too cliched,” Mom said. “Besides, my daughter has never been a big fan of pink. Not even as a little girl. What do you think?”
Kelsey tilted her chin. “It’s your choice.”
“I just…” Mom sighed. “What would you do if it was your wedding, Kelsey?”
Now, this was going to be interesting.Will leaned back on the couch and rested his feet on the coffee table.
Kelsey bit her lip. “My wedding?”
“Yes,” Mom said. “What colors would you choose?”
Kelsey crossed her legs and uncrossed them, picked up her notebook, and placed it on her lap.
Will grinned.Way to make her squirm, Mom.
