She was digging for info. I hadn’t had the time or desire to fill Lacey in on the plans Alex and I had discussed. Partly because I hadn’t had a chance. But mostly because I still wasn’t totally sure he meant it. Once we got through the wedding from hell, I’d have a better idea if he would follow through.
“We’ll see. Can we talk about this after I spend all weekend working my ass off?”
“Of course. Call me if you need anything. I might not be allowed to leave my bed, but I can still make calls or follow up on things or look stuff up online.”
“Try to get some rest.” I slid the strap of my bag into place. “Alex and I have everything under control. I promise.”
A half hour later I wished I hadn’t uttered such a ridiculous assurance. As I pulled into the drive leading to the Phillips House, I came across the florist stringing garland along the low wooden fence. I pulled over and rolled down the window.
“Hey, Suzy, how’s it going?” Had Lacey approved the clash of colors currently being installed on the fence? Based on what we’d talked about I clearly remembered the bride’s request of using only white flowers in all of the decor.
“Great. Almost done here, then I’ll go over and set up the centerpieces for the reception dinner tomorrow.”
“I thought Lacey talked to you about using white flowers in all of the decor?” I reached for the three-inch-thick notebook Lacey had saddled me with so I could confirm the floral order.
Suzy shook her head. “The wholesaler didn’t have enough, so he had to make some substitutions. Besides, that would be so boring. With all of the gorgeous colors available this time of year, don’t you think it’s better to amp up the display?”
“Suzy.” I lowered my voice. I remembered how the florist had botched Lacey’s own wedding last year. Since then Lacey had warned her about taking creative liberties and she’d been following the flower orders to a T. Until now.
“You’ve got to agree, this is a lot more welcoming for all of those Hollywood types heading our way.” Suzy stepped back and crossed her arms as if she needed to take a minute to admire her own creation.
I groaned as I climbed out of the truck. “You can’t just change things on a whim. The wedding planner wants all white flowers. It’s our job to give them to her.”
Suzy barely came up to my chin, but she carried herself with such power that even I took a step back when the vertically challenged spitfire turned her attention my way.
“I tried. The order didn’t come in and now it’s too late to get new flowers anyway.”
This wasn’t a good way to start the weekend events. “What are we going to do?”
“I spent the past two days stringing these garlands together. There’s no way you’re going to be able to change them out before that hoity-toity wedding lady with the pink hair gets here.” Suzy turned her attention back to the flowers.
“We have to do something.” I forced my hands to my hips, ready to stand my ground. I’d gone up against much fiercer opponents in the military. Ones who weren’t taxidermists posing as wedding florists.
“It’s your funeral, sweetie.” Suzy dropped the garland she held in her hand and stalked back to where she’d pulled her truck onto the side of the road. “Good luck.”
“It’s not a funeral, it’s a wedding,” I muttered under my breath. Or at least I hoped it wouldn’t turn into a funeral. Because right then it was my head on the chopping block. I consulted the minute-by-minute schedule Lacey had printedout, detailing the weekend’s events. Chyna and the bridal party would be arriving in three hours. That gave me one hundred eighty minutes to figure out a way to magically transform the colorful garland into winter wonderland white.
With the threat of a headache twinging at my temples, I gritted my teeth and climbed back into my truck. I’d figure out a way to make this work. I didn’t have another choice.
CHAPTER 30
ALEX
I tosseda sardine in the air for Louise to catch. “Good girl.” Now if she could just keep her cool and execute her walk up and down the aisle tomorrow as smoothly as she’d done today, we’d have nothing to worry about. Too bad there were so many ifs in that statement. Why did so much of our success have to depend on a bunch of birds?
The wedding photographer Chyna hired snapped a few more shots. “Thanks for letting me sit in on your training session.”
“Not a problem. You get what you need?”
“Sure did. I think the bride and groom will appreciate the behind-the-scenes shots of the prep work.” He sat down in the front row and began to disassemble his camera.
“Just remember, no flash at the ceremony. The penguins will freak out.”
“Got it.”
I waited for the photographer to leave, then turned back to the penguins, ready to have them take another turn down the aisle. Before I had a chance, Zina rushed into the tent.
“I’ve got a problem, and I need help.”
