He started the spluttering of a young, straight—but possibly curious—man, and I laughed and moved on to check in with the caterers.
The reception hall looked perfect. Maverick had arrivedbefore the bridal party to set up floral arrangements. The bakery from Riverton had delivered a stunning three-tier cake that looked more like art than food. Everything was poised to go off without a hitch, but there wasalwayssome small glitch to work out.
Today, that glitch was my great-aunt Lula and her favorite partner in crime, Iola Fletcher, making a beeline for me.
“Silas!” Lula said, beaming at me. “Everything looks beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I said. “The bride has good taste.”
Iola clucked. “Youhave good taste, you mean.”
I chuckled. I wasn’t one to brag, but well, was it bragging if it was true?
“I do.”
Her eyes gleamed. “Interesting choice of words on a wedding day. Might you be wishing it was your turn to exchange vows?”
“I’m happy running the show behind the scenes, thanks.”
“You’re much too handsome to never take the spotlight,” Iola said coyly.
I pointed a finger at her. “I know what you’re trying to do. I’m not interested in matchmaking services. I’m not the marrying kind.”
She huffed. “You’re so stubborn, Silas! We just want to make you happy.”
Marissa came toward me, a stressed expression on her face that didn’t bode well.
“I have to go talk to the caterer. Take your seats and enjoy, okay?”
Iola sidestepped in front of me. “The bartender is awfully cute. He’s been looking at you longingly all night. We could match you up.”
I glanced over and cringed. “Ugh, no. Not Paxton. Been there, done that, don’twantthe T-shirt.”
Lula twittered. “Goodness, Silas! He seems like a sweet man.”
Marissa reached us just then. “Silas, I’m sorry to interrupt, but the ice-maker is not working and?—”
“Say no more. I’ll run out for bags of ice. How many do we need?”
“Five?”
I surveyed the room. “Better make it ten to be safe. Everything else is on track?”
“Yes! We’re ready to start serving as soon as the toasts are made.”
“Lovely. I’ll instruct the DJ to keep folks entertained a few extra minutes while I grab the ice and then we’ll be ready to roll.”
I started in that direction when I registered that I had two shadows trying to keep up with me.
“Silas, we just want you to be happy,” Iola said. “You deserve that, even if things didn’t work out before.”
I whirled, narrowing my eyes. “You know what happened?”
“For ages,” Iola said. “You stayed with Lula when you came to town. Of course she confided in me.”
Lula winced. “I’m sorry, dear. I was only worried about you. You were hardly eating when you arrived. You were so pale and lethargic. I needed advice.”
“I told her to put you to work, and look at you now,” Iola said proudly. “You’re the best dang wedding planner in Granville.”
