Chapter Twenty-Nine
Clara did one final walkthrough of the inn’s main floor. Today was going to be crazy. First a private wedding for Tricia and Riley, then, after the vows were complete, it was the inn’s grand opening and Christmas party. Everything was decorated to perfection for the wedding. The guests would arrive at any minute. Tricia was hiding from her groom, preparing for her special day in Clara’s suite, accompanied by her bridesmaids, as well as Sue and Honey. Despite living with Riley, Tricia didn’t want him to jinx the wedding by seeing her before the ceremony. The tradition seemed silly to Clara, but who was she to argue?
The kitchen was bustling with catering and serving staff. Zaria and Clara’s other new staff member, Sophia, stood by waiting for instructions. Clara waved Zaria and Sophia into the hallway. “Are you ladies ready?” she asked. “Please keep an eye open for potential disasters and pick up a bit if the caterer falls behind. We’re only serving appetizers, desserts and drinks. Nothing fancy, but messes add up quickly. Zaria, keep half an eye on Ivette. She’ll probably be busy with my nieces, except in the last minutes before the wedding. Once the wedding is finished, I’m sure they’ll all be fine. But extra eyes don’t hurt. In fact, if you could both watch all the kids, I’d feel better.”
“Sure thing. Elsie from the bakery is bringing Ivette when she comes. I’m renting an apartment over the bakery. I know Elsie is excited to see the other kids. That woman needs to be a grandmother again so badly. It’s a shame her granddaughter left town. Elsie misses her something fierce. I swear Ivette spends half her day in the bakery.” The fondness in Zaria’s voice was obvious.
“The wedding is first, right?” Sophia asked. She smoothed her skirt.
Clara couldn’t help smiling. Sophia was an almost perfect employee but tended to fret over small details. She seemed more nervous about tonight than Clara was.
“Don’t worry, Sophia. Wedding first, then partying after. Don’t stress over anything. Just keep your eyes open and pitch in if you need to. This is a celebration. Even though I’m paying you to be here, the main reason you’re here is to mingle and celebrate.”
She smiled to reassure them. “There’ll be fifty-one people here for the wedding. Honestly, I can’t believe we crammed that many chairs into the lobby. Once Riley and Tricia are married, the Flints will clear away the chairs so there is room for everyone else. The door opens officially an hour after the wedding starts, that leaves us enough time for a private celebration and some wedding photos. Any questions?”
“I don’t think so.” Zaria looked at Sophia for confirmation.
“Are you going to dance with me?” Zane asked, striding into the room. He was breathtaking in his suit and tie. He looked like he was ready to get married himself.
“I might be convinced,” Clara agreed. She’d steal one dance, maybe two, for her memories. She could replay them when he was gone.
A Flint family friend was going to shoot random videos of the party. Maybe he’d catch her and Zane dancing so Clara could watch it over and over. Keep the memory fresh. She shook off the gloom threatening to overcome her. This was a party, and she was going to enjoy every moment. Every single one.
“I’m looking forward to our dances.” He smiled at her and headed back to the foyer.
Jane and Daisy skipped into the room. “Aren’t we beautiful, Miss Clara?” Jane asked, her red hair had been curled and tied with bows. Daisy’s blond hair was styled the same. For all the difference in their hair color, you could tell they were related. They both had the classic, Flint-green eyes, just like their fathers, and their faces had the same shape.
“You two look like princesses. I need you to do me a huge favor later.” She knelt to their level. “Miss Zaria’s daughter is coming. Her name is Ivette. She doesn’t know many people. Can I count on you two to play with her and make her feel welcome?”
“I know her. I’ve seen her at school. She’s in kindergarten.” Jane nodded wisely. “She’s nice. We’ll play with her for you. She can be our new friend.”
“Thank you both. It’s important that I make all my guests feel welcome. I’m glad I have the two of you to help me out. I think,” she leaned in to whisper, “it’s going to be pretty busy tonight and I’ll need your help a lot.”
“Don’t worry, Clara,” Daisy said. “I used to be new too. I’ll be nice to her, and I’ll help with the grownups too. I won’t let anyone get lonely like I was after my first mommy died.” Daisy’s mother, a short-term relationship fling of Riley’s, had passed away before telling Riley he had a child. Luckily, she had had her maternal grandparents love and support and had adapted well to living with the father she’d never met.
“Perfect.” Clara offered them both high fives. “You girls rock.”
They raced away. “You’re great with kids,” Zaria said. “You and Zane should have a bundle of them.”
“Me and Zane? He’s a guest. We’re not dating.”Oh no, did her staff think she and Zane had a thing going on just because he was living with her? Okay, when you put it that way, she could see Zaria’s point.The implications might be awkward, but she was enjoying their arrangement, and seeing him first thing every morning was a gift. This morning, he’d been up before her and had made coffee. It was a simple act that made her feel treasured and cared for.
“I know you’re my boss, but you guys have hot chemistry. It’s off the charts. You can almost see the sparks between you. You need to chase that man down, before he gets away. If you aren’t intimate yet, you should be.” Zaria winked.
“Zane is leaving. I have no intention of starting something with him.” She sure wished she could, but he wasn’t for her. He was meant for someone better. Smarter.
“Don’t let what’s right under your nose get away,” Zaria warned. “You’ll live to regret it.
“I’m not discussing this. Let’s check on our guests. It’s almost time to get started.”
Ten minutes later, Zane pressed play on the music system and the sounds of the wedding march filled the inn. Riley stood beside the minister in front of the double entry doors. Justice, Carl, Jason, Ira, and Ken stood alongside him. There were more groomsmen than bridesmaids, but none would yield to the others.
A small sound of awe came from the back of the room. Honey led the parade of bridesmaids out from the kitchen. Clad in similar but not identical red and gold dresses, Beth, Jenn, Amy, and Tricia’s best friend Jo, paraded slowly up the aisle. Daisy and Jane followed behind, gleefully flinging rose petals in every direction. The small crowd chuckled at the girls’ exuberance and fell silent, waiting for the bride.
Standing near the back in case she was needed, Clara heard Riley’s gasp when his wife to be entered the room. Her face covered by a lightly beaded veil, Tricia paused in the doorway and stared at her fiancé, blinking back tears as if she couldn’t believe the blessed event was finally happening. Her floor-length dress was pearl white with a red sash that wrapped her waist and trailed to the floor in the back. She moved forward, slowly at first, increasing speed as she crossed the short distance to her groom.
“In a rush, are you?” Riley teased.
“Yes. I’ve waited for you … forever.” She leaned forward to kiss him through her veil.
