“We were thinking of something a little more understated,” Avery said. “You know, we’d like the architecture to speak for itself.”
“But in such a big space, you need lots of flowers.”
“It is a wonderful space,” Meghan interjected. “And the Harrogate Trust has been instrumental in helping to preserve and renovate a number of these old buildings in Harrogate.”
Having smoothly turned the conversation, Meg turned it over to Josie, Mace’s girlfriend and one of the Harrogate Trust board members, who went through a number of the projects. The Schultzes seemed excited at the nonprofit opportunities. They were even more excited to see the Rural Trust building.
Sadie and my brother Parker were there along with Remy. Sadie ran the Rural Trust and had turned it from a backyard hobby Remy did with his veteran friends to a power player in the world of charity in a short amount of time.
“I just think it’s wonderful how connected you two are to the town,” Mr. Schultz said. We were walking down the street to the Gray Dove Bistro for lunch.
“There’s my future grandson-in-law!” Dottie announced when I held the door for the group. She was there with several of Harrogate Girls’ Club, a group of seniors that mainly drank but also stirred up trouble for Meghan.
“We’re planning our bridesmaids’ dresses!” she said excitedly.
“It’s such a wonderful idea to have all these wonderful women as your bridesmaids,” Mrs. Schultz gushed.
Dottie hugged Avery, who looked stunned.
“We weren’t going to have a wedding party as such. I was just going to have several children, like how Meghan Markle did her wedding—”
“But then,” I jumped in, grabbing her around the shoulders, “we decided we couldn’t leave our friends and family out!”
“Besides, with twenty-five groomsmen,” Dottie said, “you have to fill up those bridesmaids’ spots!”
“I better be paired with one of the single Svensson brothers,” Ida demanded. “One of the good-looking ones.”
“They’re all good-looking!” Bettina said, giggling before she snorted into her glass. (See what I mean about drinking?)
Avery looked up at me. I couldn’t tell if she was confused or annoyed.
“Remember, honey,” I cajoled, hoping she wasn’t about to freak out and blow this whole lie apart. “All of my brothers wanted to be groomsmen, but we settled on twenty-five?”
She nodded slowly. “Right. Yes, that’s exactly what we did.”
“These are the dresses we’ve ordered,” Dottie said. She held up a picture of a neon-green taffeta gown festooned with bows that looked like they had been hot glued on. “They even have headpieces.”
Avery looked as if she needed a drink. I went to the table, where Hazel had laid out a spread of food.
Mr. Schultz followed me. “Avery seemed surprised,” he noted. “You two need to be in communication,” he said with a frown. “A wedding is a microcosm for your lives. Communication is key.”
“I assure you we are both on the same page about this wedding. Avery’s just been working very hard on this tour, then there was the engagement party, and of course wedding planning is stressful. Everything is fine,” I assured him.
“Yes, but to forget the organization of the bridal party…”
“She’s just tired,” I reiterated.
Chuck looked skeptical.
“I’ll take care of her and make her get some rest.”
42
Avery
“Holy moly, those dresses!” I exclaimed the next morning when I woke up in the soft hotel bed. Blade had insisted on a hotel. He had said he was going to have a lot of family time at the engagement party and needed to have a buffer.
“Tell me it wasn’t real and it was a nightmare.”
