She unlocked her bottom desk drawer and pulled her phone out of her bag, then scrolled through the pictures. It took her a second to find several shots of the wedding party.
Shawna studied the photos. “Oh, I see what you mean. I’ve read about having different dresses in the same color but I’ve never seen candid photos with real people. It’s nice. I like the cohesiveness for the video, but everyone gets to look good.”
She handed back her phone. “Don’t tell Jax, but Gentry really is the biggest problem. She’s growing, so I’m afraid to order her dress too soon, but I don’t want it to be out of stock, either.”
“Are you thinking of telling her she can’t be a bridesmaid?” Ryleigh asked, doing her best to keep the outrage from her voice.
“No, of course not.” Shawna’s guilt was only faintly apparent. “I’d never do that.”
“Good, because she’d be devastated. If you hadn’t asked her in the first place, it wouldn’t matter, but you did. Plus Harris would be upset that his daughter was left out.” She let the words hang there.
“Don’t be silly. She’s in the wedding for sure.”
Ryleigh felt a little guilty for pushing the point, especially considering there might not be a wedding at all, then reminded herself she wasn’t on Shawna’s side in any of this. Family first and all that.
Chapter Fourteen
Jax hung up the phone and flung her arms in the air. “What is wrong with people?” she asked aloud.
Cheryl, busy hanging posters for story hour, glanced at her. “Talking to anyone in particular?”
“No.” She pointed to the phone. “Some reporter from the local paper called and asked if she could read a few diaries to find out the secrets. She says she’s writing a human interest story and—” Jax made air quotes. “‘Promised not to use real names.’ I’m not going to let some stranger read the diaries. They’re locked away and that’s where they’re staying.”
“You go girl,” Cheryl told her.
Jax grinned. “Too much energy?”
“Just the right amount. You’re taking your responsibility seriously. That speaks well of you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the support.”
Cheryl’s expression changed from friendly to confused. “There’s a lady waving frantically at you.”
At the same time Jax heard “Jax! There you are” from behind and turned to find Shawna’s mother walking through the bookstore.
Instantly her stomach tightened. Seeing Lindsey was not happy news, she thought grimly. No doubt the older woman had arrived with too many questions and a list of rude comments to share.
As soon as the thoughts formed, Jax told herself not to judge. Maybe Lindsey had stopped by to buy twelve copies of some expensive hardcover for her book club.
“Hi,” Jax said. “Nice to see you again. Lindsey, this is Cheryl—the store’s event manager and my right-hand person. Cheryl, this is Lindsey. Shawna’s mother.”
Cheryl looked confused for a second, then smiled. “Oh, the fiancée. Good to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Lindsey turned to Jax. “I was hoping we could talk for a few minutes.”
Jax would really rather not, but couldn’t figure out a polite way to refuse, so she was stuck leading Lindsey to the coffee bar where they each ordered a latte before sitting down at one of the tables.
“I thought we could have a little chat about your wedding to Harris.”
Jax hadn’t known what Lindsey would want to discuss but asking about her wedding wouldn’t have made a list of the top fifty possibilities.
“Excuse me?”
The other woman pulled a small notebook out of her bag, along with a pen. She turned to a blank page, then clarified, “What was it like? Big? Small? In a church? That sort of thing.”
The barista brought over their lattes. Jax clutched hers in both hands. “It was a long time ago and has nothing to do with whatever you and Shawna are planning for her wedding.”
“It’s a second marriage for Harris,” Lindsey said with a sigh. “That means nothing will be perfectly new for my daughter. That’s been difficult enough for me to deal with but can’t be helped. The heart wants what the heart wants.”
