Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

"Would you look at that!" From the middle seat of the Town Car, Brianna craned her neck toward the window. "Have you ever seen anything so pretty in your entire life?"

Beside her, Evelyn felt her own face crinkle in delight. Spotting a bride all decked out in the back of a horse-drawn carriage never failed to send warmth flooding from her chest to her fingertips. But today wasn't about her. She focused on the bride-to-be. "Would you like to take a ride like that?"

"Could I?" Brianna's gaze tracked the gleaming white vehicle and its precious cargo until it turned a corner and disappeared from sight.

"We can definitely make it happen. "

Giving Brianna's hand a squeeze, she smiled. Whether they deemed it necessary or not, few brides turned down the chance to take a carriage ride through Heart's Landing. She wouldn't, either, when—or if—the time came. The idea of sitting on the plush bench seat while Tom Denton, regal in white tie and tails, clucked to a matched set of high-stepping horses sent a thrill of expectation racing through her. They'd circle the town before taking that final ride up Procession Avenue to the Captain's Cottage. When the driver pulled his team to a stop, her very own Mr. Right would be waiting for her. She pressed a hand to her heart. Just thinking of that day made her eyes go a little misty.

She glanced toward Ryan sitting in the passenger seat up front. She liked that they'd renewed their friendship. Loved the way they'd slipped so easily back into a familiar relationship. More than that, working with the tall, handsome carpenter had given her a new appreciation for the man he'd become. He'd applied the same attention to detail he'd given his restoration work to providing Brianna and Daniel with the perfect wedding. His caring attitude and the kindness he'd shown the young couple stirred a desire in her for a stronger, deeper connection. Could things with Ryan go beyond friendship ?

The car turned onto Bridal Carriage Way, and she marshaled her wayward thoughts. This wasn't the time to dwell on the future. Right now, the reputation of Heart's Landing rested on Ryan's shoulders and on hers. With so much depending on them, her focus had to remain on their assignment.

With that thought, she leaned forward to catch Daniel's eye. "She'll look radiant. Can't you just picture it? You in your uniform, so tall and handsome. Brianna in the perfect gown and veil. All your friends and family there to share this very special moment in your lives."

Seated by the other window, Daniel nodded. He lifted his fiancée's left hand to his lips and kissed the simple diamond that adorned her finger. "I'll do whatever it takes to make Brianna happy."

Not exactly the ringing endorsement for love and marriage she'd been hoping for, but it would have to do, she thought as the driver braked in front of a small building on a deep lot off Champagne Avenue. Eat, Drink and Be Married, announced a sign that swung between two posts on the wide lawn. Finer script read, For all your wedding needs .

"You're going to really like this place," Ryan said, rounding the front bumper after they'd piled out of the car. He gave the driver a mock salute and waited until the man sped off before he spoke again. "Bev and Vi Gorman grew up spending summers with their grandmother here in Heart's Landing. When she passed three years ago, they converted her house into a rental boutique featuring linens and tableware. They've built it into a thriving business. This is their first year as Wedding-in-a-Week participants." He gave his hands a brisk rub. "I can't wait to see what they have for you."

While Brianna linked her arm through Daniel's and followed Ryan up the stone walkway, Evelyn lifted her chin. Summer was the busiest season at the Captain's Cottage. Small wonder, then, that she barely recalled the two sisters who'd spent a couple of months in town each year. Ryan sure seemed to know a lot about the women, though. When had he gotten so chummy with the Gormans?

She shoved those thoughts aside for another time while they climbed the wide steps to the entrance. On a shady porch, bright pink peonies sprang from planters atop the rail. Cross-stitched pillows on white wicker chairs invited customers to linger in the shade. Nearby, a tall dispenser of frosty lemonade and a plate of cookies on a chintz-covered table added to the altogether charming effect .

"Cookie, anyone?" Ryan asked. He lifted a domed lid and helped himself.

"Thanks. Don't mind if I do." Daniel snagged a couple. He offered one to Brianna.

"I'll pass." The bride-to-be patted her tummy. "I filled up on blueberry muffins this morning. Y'all grow the biggest berries up here." She laughed. "Ours back home aren't half that size."

"There's a U-Pick place just north of town," Evelyn offered. "You and Daniel could go there Saturday." Once the couple announced their selections, they'd have the rest of the day free to sightsee, shop, or take a trip to the beach.

"Maybe," Brianna said, clearly interested.

They waited until Daniel brushed the last crumb from his hands before Ryan held the door open for the rest. Evelyn had no more than stepped foot in the store when a dynamo of a woman with short brown curls exclaimed, "You're here! You're here! Welcome!"

Smiling staffers wearing pink aprons clustered around the checkout counter. From a spot that must've given him excellent coverage of the entrance, Curtis snapped pictures. He lowered his camera to wave hello. Then, motioning Evelyn and Ryan aside, he retreated behind the lens while their hostess continued her greeting .

"Welcome to Eat, Drink and Be Married, where only the very best will do for your wedding! I'm Vi Gorman. My sister, Bev, had planned to be here today, but my nephew caught a cold. So you're stuck with me!" Vi spread her arms wide, exclamation points peppering her sentences. "But don't despair. Everything's ready for you." She stopped in the middle of a rushed monologue to take a breath. "You're Daniel, of course! We met at the train station." She spun to Brianna. "And this must be your lovely bride-to-be. I didn't have a chance to introduce myself when you arrived. There were so many people! Congratulations on being chosen as this year's Wedding-in-a-Week couple!"

Brianna's eyes widened in a sure sign that she hadn't expected the effusive chatter. Evelyn stepped forward to give the wary bride a chance to collect her thoughts. She stuck out her hand. "Vi, good to see you."

"So happy to have you here, Evelyn." Vi grasped her hand and gave it a firm pump. "Now, I know you have everything you could ever possibly need at the Captain's Cottage, but if something in our store catches your eye, just let me know." She turned to the fourth member of their party. "Ryan! So good to see you again!"

Evelyn watched in stunned silence as the woman surged forward to embrace Ryan in a hug that, in her opinion, lasted entirely too long. Even as the tiny hairs on the back of her neck bristled and her jaw tightened, she told herself she had no right to be jealous. She and Ryan were friends. Nothing else. The more time they spent together, the more she asked herself, "What if he's the one?" but that was all it was—a question. She had no business poking her nose into his history with Vi.

Nevertheless, she moved to keep the visit on track. "Ahem. I'm sure Brianna and Daniel would love to see what you've selected for their wedding."

"Right!" Vi finally relinquished her hold on Ryan. "Come right this way."

Curtis's camera whirred as they followed the owner past built-in wall units. Table linens in every imaginable color hung from velvet-covered hangers beneath the cabinets and shelves. Next came china patterns artfully arranged in individual cubbies, stacked one on top of the other from floor to ceiling. When green flames continued to flicker at the edge of her vision, Evelyn feigned a sudden interest in one of the displays and veered off from the group.

"Get a grip," she muttered under her breath. She ran one finger along the rim of a china cup. " Ryan and I are friends. Just friends." She repeated the phrase several times. At last, her heart stopped aching whenever she pictured him walking arm in arm down Bridal Carriage Way with someone else, and she hurried to catch up with the others.

"Here we are," Vi said at last. In the far corner of the shop, comfy white chairs had been arranged in front of low tables that held an assortment of bridal magazines, snacks, and beverages.

"Nice." Daniel plopped down on the first cushion. "I'm all set." Ever hungry, he reached for a plate.

Brianna slid in beside him, her eyes glued to three free-standing screens that, according to Vi, hid Eat, Drink and Be Married's suggestions for the Wedding-in-a-Week couple. "I'm so excited." She bounced up and down, clapping her hands like a schoolgirl. "I can't wait to see what you've chosen for us."

Ryan and Evelyn took the remaining chairs. She stole a quick sidelong glance at Ryan, who watched Vi's every move as the woman crossed to the first screen. A hard knot formed in her stomach. She shook her head, but she didn't have any luck dousing the green flames this time.

"Focus," she told herself and tore her gaze from him .

Up front, Vi said, "Every item in this first table setting was chosen to honor Daniel and Brianna's commitment to his military service while celebrating this most important day in your lives. Ready?"

Vi rolled the curtain out of the way. Behind it sat a round table draped in pristine white. A satiny finish created the impression of movement in the cloth that brushed the floor in thick folds. Dark navy table runners crisscrossed at the center of the table. Light sparkled from the gold tips of silver flatware, white china, and elegant glassware. As a final touch, bright red napkins sprang from each plate.

"Oorah," Daniel chuffed.

"Nice!" Brianna pronounced.

Vi beamed.

Impressed despite herself, Evelyn had to give the woman mad props for creating a setting that was both patriotic and elegant. She listened closely while their hostess launched into a thorough description of the pieces she and her sister had chosen for the table. When it was time to move on to the next option, she looked forward to seeing what lay behind the curtain almost as much as the bride, who drummed her fingers in anticipation.

"We've designed this look to reflect Brianna and Daniel's love for their home state of Florida," Vi announced.

Brianna's smile widened when the woman rolled the curtain aside to reveal a row of oblong tables swathed in pale yellow. Bamboo chairs matched the decor and provided seating. On the tabletop, sleek, modern flatware surrounded square china plates adorned with tropical flowers, while olive-green napkins and placemats complemented the bright colors.

Evelyn smoothed the skirt of her shirtwaist. A Florida theme wasn't exactly her style, but when the time came— if the time came—she wouldn't mind incorporating some of Rhode Island's best features in her wedding. A few blue violets in her bouquet. A menu built around clams and lobsters. No chickens, though. Even if they were the state bird. She smothered a laugh as Vi began to speak.

"Option Two incorporates a slightly more festive air." The owner ran a hand over the surface. As she had with the previous entry, she provided a detailed description of each item in the setting. Almost finished, Vi picked up an enlarged postcard in a gilt frame from the spot where it leaned against a candelabra. "We've chosen vintage postcards to identify each table. Miniature versions would serve as place cards. "

"How fun is that!" Brianna's smile grew wider. "We want to throw a big party and meet all our neighbors once we're settled in at Daniel's next duty station. That place card idea would be a fun way to tell everyone where to sit."

"Place cards and formal dinner parties are for officers, sweetheart." Daniel reached for his fiancée's hand. "We're more wings and beer than all this." With a wave at the displays, he indicated the shop.

"But you like it, don't you? I mean, it's our wedding and …"

"Of course I do." Daniel caught her fingers up in both his hands. "I'm just saying none of this matters as long as I get to have you as my wife."

Evelyn swore every heart in the room went pit-a-pat when Daniel brought Brianna's fingertips to his lips and kissed them. That, she said to herself. Forget the big, fancy wedding—just give me a man who loves me like that.

Curious, she glanced at Ryan. Was he as moved by Daniel's display of affection as she'd been? She wrenched her gaze elsewhere when Ryan's soft eyes touched her heart.

After a moment, Vi said, "So, to recap. The first option honors Daniel's military career. The second is a tribute to your home state. Are you ready for your third and final option?"

"I'm already having a hard time choosing between the first two." Brianna flounced back in her seat.

Daniel looped one arm around her shoulders. "I know which one I like."

"Oh, you." Brianna brushed her fingers over his upper arm. "We're not supposed to say anything out loud."

Her reprimand earned her a sheepish look, which Brianna followed up by bussing Daniel's cheek.

Evelyn's chest expanded. As they were getting into the car this morning, Brianna had whispered that she and Daniel had talked late into the night. So far, there'd been no sign of the doubts the young bride had expressed yesterday. Had the couple simply had a case of wedding jitters? She hoped so.

Up front, Vi rolled away the third curtain, and Evelyn clamped a hand over her mouth to capture a happy giggle. An olive-green runner stretched the length of a rustic wooden table. Cane-bottom chairs had been placed at regular intervals. Red dishes sat on top of gold charger plates. Silver flatware with gold handles rested on dark blue napkins. White bread plates and delicate stemware added to the effect .

This , she thought, eyeing a table that exuded charm and sophistication. This was what every wedding should be—a perfect blending of his dreams and hers. She started to comment on it, but one glance at Ryan told her something else entirely had captured his attention. Following his gaze to Vi, who invited Daniel and Brianna to give all three choices a closer look, she pressed her lips together. When he continued to stare while the couple joined hands and moved to the table settings, she leaned into her chair, her arms crossed. She sat, stewing in silence, as long minutes ticked slowly past.

Eventually, Ryan tore his gaze from Vi and leaned toward her. "Bev and Vi did a great job, didn't they?"

"Perfect. Simply perfect." She laced the words with an extra dose of sarcasm. "You two sure are awfully friendly."

"I should hope so." Confusion clouded his eyes. "When I first got back to Heart's Landing, no one would hire me except my dad. He wanted to put me to work swinging a hammer. Um, no thanks. I thought I might have to move on until Bev and Vi asked me to convert their grandmother's house into this place." His gaze wandered the walls.

"I didn't know." She studied the nearest set of closets. How had she failed to notice Ryan's handiwork? His demand for perfection was evident in the tight joints of the cubbies, the smoothly turned posts that adorned the display cases. That still left a lot of unanswered questions. Determined to learn the answers to them, she braced herself and plunged on. "Is that when you and Vi started seeing each other?"

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Is that what's got your nose out of joint?"

"Me? You're the one who's practically drooling."

Ryan shot a quick look over his shoulder at the couple, who stood at one table, their arms wrapped around a smiling Vi. Standing, he bobbed his head toward the exit. "Let's go outside."

Did she really want to end things with Ryan before they even began? She stalled by asking, "What about Brianna and Daniel?"

"Curtis will keep them busy for a few minutes." He started for the door, leaving her no choice other than to trail slowly behind him. On the front porch a few minutes later, he turned to face her. "Now, what's all this about me and Vi?"

"It's no big deal," she protested. Okay, so she'd dreamed of having a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Ryan, but that was all it was. A dream .

His social life was really none of her concern.

"You've been in a mood ever since we got here."

"I am not in a mood," she insisted. "I asked a simple question. How long have you and Vi been seeing each other?"

"We're not." Confusion knitted his brows. "Where'd you get that idea?"

"I thought …" Her voice trailed off. Did she really have to say it? Evidently she did, because Ryan just stood there, waiting for her to continue. Her breath shuddered. "I saw how she hugged you. How you hugged her back. Like you were more than friends. Like you were involved." She gave him her best challenging look. There, let him deny that.

"Me and Vi." A smile crept across Ryan's lips. It quickly turned into a full-fledged grin.

Whatever reaction she'd expected, laughter wasn't it. "What's so funny?" she demanded.

"You realize she's ten, maybe fifteen years older than me?"

"So what? Men date older women all the time." There'd probably been a dozen December/May weddings at the Cottage over the years.

"Sorry." Ryan sobered. His hands rose in protest despite the merriment that continued to dance in his eyes. "There's nothing going on between me and Vi. She's married. So's Bev, for that matter. But even if she was free, Vi's not my type."

"And what is your type?" The words rolled right off her tongue before she could stop them.

"Well, if you must know, I'm kind of partial to redheads."

If there'd been a wall behind her, Ryan's stare would've pinned her to it. Heat flooded her face and spread across her shoulders.

"And, no." His voice dropped an octave. "Just in case you were wondering, I'm not dating anyone.

Not that it should matter to you one way or another. You're the one with a steady boyfriend."

Her head jerked up. "Wh-what gave you that idea? I don't have a boyfriend, steady or unsteady."

"You're sure about that?"

The man was so earnest, she couldn't resist teasing him a bit. "Hmm. You think I'm getting forgetful in my old age? Here, I'll check my schedule." She made a huge show of pulling her phone out of her purse and scrolling through the calendar app. "Nope. No date last Saturday. I'd better check the week before. Um, nope. Nothing then, either. Maybe last month?" She scrolled again and peered up at him. "Nothing there. You're sure I'm seeing someone? "

"Evelyn." Ryan's voice dropped to a heart-stopping growl. "Who are you taking to dinner at Bow Tie Pasta?"

"Bow Tie— Oh! When I win our bet? You're worried about my dinner date?" She canted her head. Who was being jealous now?

"You're not going to win, but that's beside the point. Who?" He ground out the last word.

"Okay. Okay." No sense upsetting the man now that things were just getting interesting. "If you must know, I was planning to let Tara and Jason go in my place. I thought it'd make a nice gift for them when they get home from their honeymoon."

"So all that stuff about the lamb chops was …" He stopped to let her fill in the blanks.

"Just me having fun." She hung her head. "Sounds like we both jumped to conclusions."

"Yeah, it kind of does. I'm glad we cleared that up." Ryan studied a spot over her left shoulder. "Maybe we should—"

Behind her, the door to Be Married sprang open. The moment it did, Ryan's mouth clamped shut. Brianna and Daniel emerged from the store. Curtis edged around them, his camera at the ready. Vi stepped into view, her staff clustered behind her .

"Of all the rotten timing," Evelyn muttered, wishing Ryan had been able to finish.

"I can't wait to find out what you've chosen for your wedding!" Vi's face beamed with pleasure. "Feel free to stop in anytime if you have questions or want to see the options again. They'll be on display all week."

"Thanks for everything." Daniel gave the shop owner's hand a final shake.

"It was all so lovely," Brianna said dreamily. "We're going to have the best wedding, thanks to you!" She sidled closer to Daniel, who slipped his arm around her. While Curtis snapped pictures, the couple headed down the steps to the car that waited at the curb.

"Evelyn, I'm so glad you visited our store today. I trust you liked what you saw." Hope tinged Vi's words.

Be Married had certainly exceeded her expectations and, after misjudging the woman so badly, Evelyn felt she owed her. "As soon as Jason gets back, I'll ask him to add your store to our suppliers' list," she promised. The offer would drive a lot of business to the shop.

"That's wonderful! I can't wait to tell Bev! She'll be thrilled!" Vi turned to Ryan. "Seeing you today was a pleasant surprise. Don't be strangers, you hear? "

"Good to see you, too, Vi." Headed for the sidewalk, Ryan added, "Give my best to Bev. Hope that little one of hers is feeling better."

"I'm on my way to check on them right now," Vi assured him.

A light beep from the Town Car reminded everyone that Alicia had planned a working lunch with Brianna and Daniel at the Captain's Cottage. Evelyn hurried down the stairs two steps ahead of Ryan. Keeping the event planner waiting was never a good thing.

She reached a spur-of-the-moment decision on the sidewalk. "Hey, you all go on back to the Cottage. I'll meet you at Forget Me Knot."

"You're sure?"

"Need to stretch my legs." She also needed to sort out her feelings for a certain tall, blond carpenter. Not that she was willing to share that thought with anyone just yet. "I'll grab a bite while I'm here in town."

She traded silent nods with Ryan. There'd been a moment on the porch when she would've sworn he'd been about to ask her out. Her mouth had gone dry with anticipation. Her heart had beat as fast as a hummingbird's. Then Brianna and Daniel had stepped onto the porch and … nothing. Like someone had flipped a switch, his interest had shifted. Had she read the situation wrong? Had he been about to ask her something else entirely? Something about the weather?

Ugh! Her thoughts were so all over the place, she didn't even know whether or not she'd accept. If and when he did ask her. She clenched and unclenched her fingers to release the tension. Yeah, right. Who did she think she was kidding?