“So now she’s bugging me to see if I can get the team to sneak her in,” Lisa said. “Pepper, this exchange is reminding me why I had to have you take over the wedding. Someone might have been dead by this point.”
Pepper clucked her tongue. “Don’t worry, sweetie.” She turned back to face the front as she tapped Stone on the shoulder. “Stone and I will take care of everything.”
Stone raised his gaze to the rearview mirror and shot her a sympathetic look. “Don’t let her ruin this for you.”
“He’s right, honey. This is about us,” Rafael said. “And we have Pepper Shaker to keep her in line.”
Pepper’s head reappeared from the front seat. She flashed an evil grin. “I knew I had a purposein this life.”
Lisa gave them all a smile to reassure them she was fine. Even though right this minute she wished they’d eloped in Vegas. Guilt nudged that thought aside. To deprive Rafael’s mom and Lisa’s best friends, Pepper and Maggie, of a wedding would have been completely selfish. Still. She was tired already, and her mother wasn’t even in the same state. Yet. Four more hours and she would be.
She jumped when her phone rang with a call. “It’s her. Hang on.” She pushed the accept button, then put it on speaker. “Hi, Mom.”
“Lisa, I’ve been waiting for a text back from you for like five minutes. Nothing but crickets.”
“Sorry. What do you need?”
“I need a status on the hair and makeup team.” This was her impatient mixed withwhy are you such an idiottone. In the background, Lisa could hear the voice of an airline employee over the loudspeaker, announcing flight information.
“I haven’t heard back from her. I’ll let you know when I do.”
“All right. Well, I’m about to get on the plane. I’m going to worry about this the entire flight. Why didn’t you tell me I’d be the only one in the wedding party without professionally done hair and makeup? I’ll look like a hick. And I’m themother of the bride.” The last four words were given great emphasis.
“Mom, it’ll be fine. You can have my appointment. Pepper and Maggie can help me with my hair and makeup like the old days.”
Pepper’s head whipped back around the seat. She mouthed, “No.”
“That’s not an option. Youhaveto have your hair and makeup done,” Mom said. “These pictures will be the only thing you’ll have after the big day. You don’t want to look washed out like you did on that talk show the other day. Especially next to Rafael’s dark skin.”
Lisa didn’t say anything, other than to exchange a look with Rafael. He tightened his grip on her hand.
“I called David three times this morning and couldn’t get him,” Mom said.
“He was on the same flight as us. He’ll be there by the time you arrive,” Lisa said.
“Why isn’t he with you in the car?”
“I told you Maggie and Jackson brought their nanny. She’s helping with Lily and David’s kids, so the adults can enjoy themselves.”
“How is he affording that?” Mom asked.
“Maggie pays the nanny a salary.”
With two toddlers and a four-year-old coming on the trip, Maggie had suggested it would be easier for David if he had help with the kids and offered to share her nanny with him. Lisa had wanted to cry in gratitude when she offered. Since David’s wife had been killed last summer, he rarely had any time to himself, let alone a night to have fun and let loose a little.
“I’m sure the kids won’t know me,” Mom said.
“It’s only been four months. They might.”
“I’m warning you right now that I plan to have a heart-to-heart with David this weekend. He needs to come home.”
“Go for it,” Lisa said, already exhausted. “I have to go now. Have a good flight.”
Without a second of pause, Mom continued. “How is Rafael’s mother getting there?”
“Our friends Trey and Nico are with them on a flight this afternoon.” They’d offered to fly with the older ladies and drive them up to Emerson Pass from Denver.
“Fine. I’ll call you the minute we land. Your father made the rental car arrangements, so who knows if we’ll have an appropriate car for all that snow. Having it in the middle of nowhere is so like you. Making it difficult for everyone else.”
