Now, if only they could get through the ceremony tomorrow without Lacey going into labor. Serena didn’t understand Lacey’s timing choice, but it wasn’t her call to question the client. For the fifth time in an hour, she questioned her discernment. If she had an ounce of sense, she would have turned down the job, but no, like everything else in life, she had to take the difficult path.
At two, she changed into a navy blazer and matching pencil skirt. She grabbed her bags, told Pawpaw bye, and left. She was halfway to La Maison when she realized she didn’t talk to Cecily as promised. Had she been thinking clearly, she would have walked to Millie’s house, indulged in the bread pudding, then brought Cecelia home and straightened out the punishment. Letting out a sigh, she promised herself she would set the problem straight when she got home that night.
She pulled into La Maison, the eighteenth-century mansion turned event venue, and parked at the back entrance. No one else had arrived, but she was pleased to see the outdoor seating arrangements as planned, down to the hidden heaters to ward off the chill.
After snapping several photos with the camera on her phone, she checked in at the office. While waiting for Tom and Lacey, she popped a mint in her mouth, more to curb anxiety than to freshen her breath.
I’m sorry for the selfish prayer, Lord, but please don’t let there be any surprises. Let this vow renewal be a success and a memorable night for Tom, Lacey, and their family.
She didn’t pray often, but she needed this event to go well. If her business didn’t take off soon, she’d have to move back to Texas or find another job, neither of which appealed to her.
A line of cars drove toward the mansion. Come tomorrow, the front yard would turn into the photographer’s canvas. The picturesque live oaks and gazebo to the side were prime romance backdrops.
Her stomach fluttered as the cars neared. This wasn’t her first time working with the rich and famous. Her clientele in Texas had ranged from a cab driver to oil tycoons. Wealth didn’t faze her, but, nevertheless, this event could make or break her.
Tom parked next to her car, then circled to assist his very pregnant wife. Serena hid a gulp when she saw Lacey. The baby had dropped low, and Lacey pressed a hand to her back. This could not be the beginning stages of labor. She thought back to when she was expecting Cecily. At that stage of pregnancy, she lived in discomfort. The hand on the back didn’t mean anything…or so she hoped.
“I’m so excited.” Lacey drew her into a hug.
Serena allowed a quick embrace than pulled away. “I did a quick tour when I got here, and all the seating is in place. The caterers and florist will be here by nine tomorrow morning, and the decorating crew will be done by ten.”
“It will be perfect.” Lacey scrunched her nose slightly. “There is one problem, Well, not a problem exactly, but something came up.”
“What is it?” She smiled through the tension that shot through her.
“We have an extra guest, groomsman actually. My cousin Lucas surprised us by showing up for Rex’s wedding yesterday.” An adoring sparkle surfaced in Lacey’s eyes. “He was in our first wedding, and since he’s here, would it be too much trouble to change up the ceremony and include him?”
Serena’s mind went blank except for one thought. Lucas was here.What am I going to do?She couldn’t breathe or form a sentence. In all her contingency plans, she’d never prepared for this. Lacey had said he was in the army and couldn’t make it home. It’s the only reason she’d accepted the job.
“Serena?” Lacey’s voice broke through the fog.
She blinked and fought for composure. “It’s fine. I made a backup plan to account for any added guests, even in the wedding party.”
Just not Lucas Fontenot.
Chapter Three
Lucas hitched a ride to La Maison with Beau after spending three hours trying to get a last-minute tuxedo. Between Rex’s wedding yesterday, Lacey’s rehearsal tonight, and the ceremony tomorrow, he’d had enough of weddings. If he didn’t love his family so much…
“Who’s that lady?” Beau craned his neck, looking beyond the parking spot to the woman speaking with Tom and Lacey. “She’s cute. More than cute.”
Shaking his head, Lucas chuckled. “I guess you’re finally over Daniella?”
Beau sobered. He jerked his head and turned to him. “Don’t ever mention her name around me.”
Lucas spread his hands flat in surrender. “All right.”
“Seriously, who is that?” Keeping one eye watching out the window, Beau combed a hand through his hair.
Out of curiosity—Beau rarely acknowledged an attractive female—Lucas turned to see. She looked vaguely familiar, and he wetted his lips. He squinted to get a better look at her.
A brick wall crashed down on him when he realized who it was. He tensed his jaw and squeezed his hands into tight fist that made his veins bulge. Deep breaths did nothing to calm the fury erupting within his soul.
Thirteen years of trying to forget about her, and here she was.
“You okay, bro?” Beau peered at him with unrestrained curiosity.
“Fine,” he ground out between clenched teeth. He opened the door and jumped out. Before slamming it shut, he called back in the car, “But that, dear brother, is no lady.”
