“Sure thing. I’ll bring them over.”
Tarryn nodded and changed the direction of her saunter to where Allie and Phyll sat by the window.
“Hi again, Sophie. Hi Aunt Phyll.”
Aunt Phyll?Allie set her jaw. Tarryn had kept that under her beanie. Maybe that’s how she got the job.
“Tarryn, dear.” Phyll fluttered her fingers.
“I’m sorry I’m a few minutes late.” Tarryn turned to Allie. “Ally escaped again, and I had to repair the fence.”
Allie’s hand stopped midway taking her coffee from the table to her mouth as a chill settled in her chest. Had Tarryn figured out the deception? But the part about the fence made no sense. She made her hand complete the motion. “Who’s Allie?” she asked after she’d swallowed her coffee.
“Ally is the most beautiful girl in the world.” Tarryn’s eyes crinkled. “She has big, soulful eyes, the longest lashes in history, a smile to make you melt, and soft touchable hair. She can also beat anyone in a spitting contest, including her sister, Elly.”
Oh per-lease.Tarryn was obviously messing with her. “She sounds quite the girl. Is she a dog or a donkey?” She kept her voice cool.
Phyll tapped Tarryn’s hand. “It’s an old joke, Tarryn. To most of us anyway.”
Tarryn’s mouth quirked up at one corner. “Ally’s and Elly’s full names are Ally-Paca and Elly-Paca. They’re alpacas I found wandering in the state forest a couple of years ago, and although I tried to find their owner, no one ever claimed them. I think they were unwanted and simply turned loose. They’re the most adorable girls.”
Relief made her limp. “They sound sweet.”
“Come and meet them sometime. They’ll make you melt.”
“Maybe they could join the festival parade?”
“I don’t think they’d do well in a crowd. They’re like a girlfriend who never wants to go out in the evening, preferring to curl up with a hot chocolate and a good book.”
Phyll tapped her fingers on the table. “As wholesome as this alpaca chat is, we need to get back to the matter in hand.” She pushed the brochures across to Tarryn.
“Two Boys Tuxes have applied?” Tarryn raised an eyebrow. “We absolutely have to accept them. They’re the in-demand attire for the it-crowd. I’m surprised they need to get their name out, to be honest.” When Phyll’s gaze dropped to study the brochure again, Tarryn shot an exaggerated wink at Allie.
Allie stifled a smile. Most likely, Tarryn had no idea who Two Boys Tuxes were. She would bet her entire snack cupboard they were another struggling small business with great ideas fighting to get their name out there.
“Well, in that case, we should take them,” Phyll said.
“And this lot,” Allie pulled the second brochure over. “They’re flirty and bright and are a great option for nearly-weds who want dresses. I love this one.” She pointed to a mid-length turquoise layered dress worn with Doc Martens. “We’ll include them as well. Who else is on your ‘maybe’ list, Phyll?”
Phyll pulled out a sheaf of other brochures and dropped them on the table.
Kirra came up with Tarryn’s coffee and cake and set them down. “Ooh, that’s gorgeous!” She picked up a flyer depicting a woman, arms spread to show her rainbow cape over a lacy white dress. “I could so marry in this.”
“That’s a yes for them, then.” Tarryn added it to the acceptance pile.
Kirra sat. “This and this and this… Oh my God, my sweet gay heart is melting at all this gorgeousness. Take them all.”
Allie flicked through the pile. “I agree. They all depict same-sex weddings in their advertising. They belong in the fair.”
“Can we look at the ones for acceptance, Phyll?” Tarryn asked.
A customer approached the counter, and Kirra went to help them.
Phyll pulled a folder from the enormous tote bag at her feet.
Allie shuffled through the glossy brochures with their romantic curly script and posed models. All very fine, all beautiful and traditional, with misty photos of brides in white and pearls, and handsome men in dark tuxes. Phyll was a widow; she’d probably got married wearing something like this.
Tarryn flipped through the brochures. “We can’t accept this one.” She frowned as she read aloud, “We believe marriage is the God-given seal of the love between a man and a woman. We can’t allow language like that.”
