“Everything’s going wrong,” Norah sobbed silently. “First the decorations, now the flowers. What’s next?”
Isabella rubbed soothing circles on Norah’s back. “We’re going to work this out. It will be fine, you’ll see.”
“I don’t know, Izzy. What if this is a sign or something?” Norah wiped her tears.
“Don’t be silly. Sometimes these things just happen.”
Leo pushed his lips into a thought. “What about a flower that’s similar to roses but is still complimentary?”
“Uhh…” the florist said. “We could do a white camellia? I have lots of those on hand.”
“That sounds pretty.” Isabella glanced at Norah who still looked pitiful.
Norah shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Leo squeezed Norah’s shoulder. “I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and I can assure you that camellias are beautiful.”
Norah peered up at Leo. “Are you sure?”
“I’m so sure. And I bet, if we get extras, we’ll even have time to incorporate them with all the other decorations.”
“You think so?”
“Izzy and I will make it happen.” Leo winked at Isabella and her heart bloomed in her chest. Whatcouldn’tthis man do?
“Okay, white camellias it is.” Norah sniffed, wrapping her arms around both Isabella and Leo. “Thanks, guys.”
After Norah had shuffled away, Leo exhaled a whistle. “Man, your sister is not handling this wedding stress like I thought she would.”
“Right? She seems way more on edge than I ever expected, like something else is wrong.” She hated thinking it, that there could be something on a deeper level worrying Norah, or that she could be having second thoughts about this wedding. But maybe it was nothing. “I’m sure it’s just nerves.”
“Let’s just hope nothing else goes sideways. I’m not sure she can handle it.”
Isabella’s throat constricted as she focused on Norah, smoothing her hands over a tablecloth—she worried about that too.
Once they’d completed the decorating, Isabella stood next to Norah at the back of the tent, and thank God, Norah had a satisfied smile stretched on her face. Mr. Hoffman arrived for the rehearsal, still dressed in his work clothes, and kissed Norah on the cheek.
Isabella was close enough to hear him whisper into Norah’s ear, “It looks beautiful. It suits you. And Mrs. Hoffman would’ve approved.”
While the sentiment caused Norah’s eyes to water and evoked a hug, it sent an unwelcome ache straight to the pit of Isabella’s stomach. She should’ve been thrilled by his comment. All she’d ever wanted was for her baby sister’s happiness. Instead, Isabella had a hard time shaking it from her mind. It brought on the memory of Mrs. Hoffman’s last words to her,You don’t have my blessing.
The rest of the wedding party trickled into the hall and entered the white tent, interrupting the grief working its way up Isabella’s throat. Norah rushed toward the front to greet her bridesmaids Taylor and Maddie. The pleasant surprise of Kelsey rushing in was enough to distract Isabella completely.
“Kelsey? What are you doing here?” Isabella called as Kelsey waddled past her.
Kelsey whipped around and the panic on her face rearranged to relief. She wrapped Isabella in a hug. “Thank goodness you’re here. You are exactly the person I wanted to see.”
“What is it? Is it the baby? Your mom? Oh, please dear God, tell me it’s not the cake.” Isabella pulled back and pressed her fingertips to her temple.
Kelsey folded her lips in between her teeth before she finally said, “Um…the third one. And sort of the second one. Baby’s fine.” She plastered on a fake smile.
Isabella took hold of Kelsey’s hand and yanked her out of the tent and into the wedding hall, glancing over her shoulder to be sure Norah and Landon didn’t notice the disruption. “Okay,” she breathed out, resting her hands on her hips. “Just give it to me straight.”
“It’s Mom. She’s real sick.”
“How sick?”
“Um…like puking her guts out sick. As in, I-don’t-think-anyone-wants-her-touching-the-cake sick.”
