Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

"Surgery. That sounds serious."

"Yeah." In the passenger seat of Ryan's pickup truck, Evelyn worried at a fingernail. "This is bound to shake Brianna's confidence. Do you think she'll call off the wedding?"

"I hope not, but you said she had a meltdown at the bridal salon." Ryan spun the wheel. The tires complained as they turned onto Officiant Circle.

"Yeah, I thought she was past that, but this …" Evelyn's chest heaved. "Her aunt and cousins are her only family. They were supposed to fly in on Friday. She has to be beside herself."

"That's rough," he admitted. "I'm just as concerned about Daniel. He had cold feet before. This'll probably freeze them solid. "

"He didn't say anything more? We don't know what happened?"

He jerked a thumb toward the cell phone he'd tossed onto the console. "Nothing more than that cryptic text. I pray she's all right."

"And that they don't call off the wedding."

"Yeah, that. If there ever were two people who deserved to be together, it'd be Brianna and Daniel." Though, lately, he'd been thinking he and Evelyn might have a chance at their very own Heart's Landing love for the ages.

His thoughts stuttered. Love? Did he love Evelyn Heart? He'd fallen for her, sure. Who wouldn't? With her masses of red curls surrounding finely chiseled features, the brilliant eyes that saw through to a man's soul, her long, lean form—what guy wouldn't trip over himself to win a second glance from her?

But love? That was something else entirely. Love went deeper than looks. Love involved the heart and soul. True love brought out the best in people. Did he and Evelyn have that special kind of bond? His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. He couldn't say for sure, but he knew one thing—she brought out the best of him. He wanted to be a better man, a more steadfast version of himself for Evelyn's sake. Whenever she was around, she made him feel stronger, smarter, more capable than he was without her. That might not be love—yet—but it was definitely a step on the right path. He couldn't wait to see where it led. All that would have to wait, though. For now, he and Evelyn had a bride to console, a groom to calm, and a wedding to save.

Grateful for Heart's Landing's sparse evening traffic, he sped past Harbor View and the marina before turning west on Champagne Avenue. Less than five minutes later, he braked to a stop on the graveled parking strip behind the Union Street Bed-and-Breakfast.

"There's Daniel," he said, pointing. The young man paced on the back porch.

"I don't see Brianna anywhere."

"That's not a good sign." His heart sank. Whether things were going well or not, he'd expected to find the young man at his bride's side, holding her hand, calming her fears. He hurried around the truck to hold the door for Evelyn. Together, they raced up the stairs onto the roomy back porch. "What's going on?" he asked the groom, who'd stopped his pacing long enough to greet them beneath the ivy-covered awning.

"Brianna's aunt has appendicitis."

Ryan rocked from one foot to the other while he waited for the other shoe to drop. Surely that couldn't be all there was to it. An appendectomy was so straightforward, medical students often performed it as their first surgery.

"They just took her into the operating room a few minutes ago. Brianna's on the phone with her cousin. It doesn't sound like any of them will make it to the wedding."

"Oh, poor Brianna. I'm so sorry!" Evelyn choked back a sob.

Her reaction was too intense. He drew closer. He'd clearly overlooked an important detail. "What am I missing?"

"Brianna's aunt is supposed to walk her down the aisle. Her cousins are her bridesmaids."

Ah! There it was, the vital piece of information he needed but didn't want. His head throbbed as the dominos began to fall, one knocking over the next. Appendicitis, click . Canceled trip, click . No bridesmaids. No matron of honor. No one to give away the bride. Click. Click. Click . What was next? No wedding ? "What can we do?" He addressed the question to Daniel but wasn't at all surprised when Evelyn answered with her usual take-charge attitude.

"Marybeth keeps beer stashed in the fridge. Why don't you grab some while I run upstairs and check on Brianna? Daniel, you'll be all right here for a minute? "

When the would-be groom nodded in the affirmative, Ryan held the screen door open for Evelyn before stepping inside himself. The hall branched ahead of them. He squeezed her hand for luck as she headed for the stairs. Seconds later, lights and a mouthwatering aroma drew him into the kitchen. After grabbing beers from the fridge and helping himself to a plate of cookies still warm from the oven, he pulled a handful of bills from his wallet and tossed them into an honesty basket on a small table. Back on the porch, he handed one of the frosty bottles to Daniel. He left two more on the coffee table with the cookies, popped the top off one, and lowered himself onto the tufted cushion of a nearby chair to wait.

Not five minutes passed before footsteps pounded down the staircase. "She's going to be okay!" Even through the screen door, he saw the joyful tears in Brianna's eyes. He heard the happiness in her voice. The bride burst onto the porch and flung herself into Daniel's arms.

Close behind, Evelyn pivoted toward Ryan. When she reached him, he slipped one arm around her waist. His heart swelled when she leaned into him. Together, they listened for details.

"She's out of surgery, and she's okay!" The words tumbled from Brianna's lips in a rush. "Ann and Lynn have been in to see her. They should release her tomorrow. The day after at the latest."

Daniel gave his bride-to-be a tight squeeze. "Thank goodness," he said, his voice heavy with relief. "That's exactly what we were praying for, isn't it?" He led Brianna to a loveseat surrounded by climbing ivy. Together, they sank down on the cushions. "Want a beer?" When she nodded, he removed the cap with a single flick of his thumb and handed one to her.

Ryan motioned to Evelyn, who reached for the final bottle. Much as he wanted her beside him, he understood when she chose another chair. Flanking Brianna and Daniel, they sat and sipped in silence for a while. At last, he passed his half-empty bottle back and forth between his hands and offered Brianna his good wishes. "That sure was excellent news about your aunt."

"Yeah." The young woman looked at him through puffy eyes. Loose strands of hair shimmied when her head bobbed. "Ann—she's the oldest—she said Aunt Sheila woke up with a stomachache this morning, but she didn't think it was anything to worry about until late this afternoon. The pain had only gotten worse by then, so she had the girls take her to the ER. I'm so thankful she's going to be all right." Leaning forward, she grabbed a cookie from the plate and nibbled on it.

"What does that mean for the wedding?" he asked, determined not to ignore the elephant that had joined them once they knew the surgery had been successful.

"Well, I was counting on Aunt Sheila to walk me down the aisle. Now that she can't be here, I don't think we have any choice."

His breath stalled. Despite the tension in the air, he smiled when, across from him, Evelyn went on high alert, too.

"I'm going to have to find someone else to do it." The girl brushed crumbs from her hands. "Do you have any ideas?"

He wondered if the others heard the utter joy in Evelyn's voice when she asked, "So the wedding's still on?"

Brianna sought Daniel's eyes. She must've seen confirmation in their dark depths because she said, "Yes. Definitely. Daniel and I talked it over. I hate that Aunt Sheila and my cousins can't come, but we've come too far and fought too hard to back out now. Besides." She took a swallow from her bottle. "If we're going to have a Heart's Landing love for the ages, it has to start right here. "

Glass clinked as the foursome raised their beers in a hearty toast.

Brianna sipped once more before she passed her nearly full bottle to Daniel. She aimed a pointed look at Evelyn. "Would you be my maid of honor?"

Evelyn's hand fluttered to her chest. Tears glistened in her eyes when she gave a heartfelt, "It'd be my pleasure."

"Good." Brianna leaned forward, and the girls exchanged hugs. She settled back in the crook of Daniel's arm. "I really don't want to walk down that aisle by myself. Do you think Miss Alicia would give me away? And maybe Jenny could stand up front with you?"

"Sounds like you've given the matter some thought," Evelyn mused.

"The perils of destination weddings, I guess," Brianna said, sounding far calmer than Ryan imagined possible for a bride who'd been through what she'd endured the last few hours. "All the bridal magazines advise making alternate plans in case someone gets sick at the last minute or misses their flight. So I've thought about it. Honestly, I can't think of three people who've done more for us since we've been here."

"I'm sure Alicia and Jenny would be honored to be in your wedding. We all are." Evelyn tapped her chin with one finger. "And, as my first official act as your Maid of Honor, I'll make sure JoJo and her videographer know we'll need to live-stream the ceremony for your aunt and your cousins. We don't want them to miss out."

"Oh! That'd be wonderful!" Brianna reached for Daniel's hand and gave it a squeeze.

Daniel grinned. "I bet it'll be standing-room only in Aunt Sheila's living room Sunday." He turned to Evelyn. "This is really nice of you."

Evelyn leaned forward, her expression earnest. "I'm sure you've heard that the Heart's Landing motto is ‘a perfect wedding for every bride.' Everyone here works hard to make sure we live up to that promise. But I want you to know that working with you and Daniel this week has been more than a job. It's shown me what true love is all about. More than that, I'd like to think we've become friends. I know Alicia and Jenny feel the same as I do."

"Aww, careful. You're going to make me cry. I've already done enough of that today." Brianna brushed her fingertips beneath her eyes. She straightened slightly. "I know it's late notice, so don't worry about your dress or anything. I'll tell Alicia and Jenny the same thing—I don't care if you show up in shorts and a T-shirt as long as you're there."

Evelyn laughed, a sound that sent ripples of warmth through Ryan's chest. "Please," she said. "I have Cheri at Dress For A Day on speed-dial. You just tell me what color you want us to wear, and she'll take care of everything."

Brianna's eyes glittered in a way that made Ryan's mouth twitch. He braced himself. "Do you think she could whip up dresses like the green one Scarlett wore in Gone With The Wind ?"

He had to give Evelyn credit when she barely flinched. He couldn't help it. He laughed out loud. Beside his bride-to-be, Daniel did the same. Apparently, he'd seen the same gleam in Brianna's eyes. They were in on her joke.

The puzzled look on Evelyn's face was priceless. "Wait. You're not serious?"

"No." Brianna joined in the laughter. "I think the Southern belle look is a bit passé, even for me."

"You're the bride. It's your choice …" Evelyn hesitated a second longer before her face broke into a wreath of smiles. "But I'm awfully glad you were kidding."

Ryan lifted his beer in a silent toast to the woman he was fast beginning to have deeper feelings for. Seeing Evelyn interact with Brianna and Daniel, watching her help them cope with the pitfalls of planning their wedding in a week, he'd grown to admire her kindness and caring attitude. His thoughts leaped forward, and he was powerless to stop them. Evelyn would make a great mom one day. He could almost see her kissing boo-boos to make them better and putting Band-Aids on skinned knees. She'd be the one to help their daughter get over her first heartbreak, to teach their son to take up for the underdog at school.

He pictured her walking down the aisle, not at Brianna's wedding, but at their own. He'd stand beside the minister, his palms sweating until he saw her step into view. Her curls would softly frame her face. With a rustle of lace and satin, she'd walk toward him. All their friends and family would be watching, but he'd only have eyes for her. And when she stood beside him, when she said, "I do," she'd make him the happiest man in the world.

Get a grip, Court.

He was getting way, way ahead of himself here. He and Evelyn hadn't been on their first official date yet, and he was already hearing wedding bells. Oddly enough, the thought didn't bother him in the slightest.

Not that long ago, he'd considered Evelyn nothing more than a selfish diva. Now, he knew nothing could've been further from the truth. She was everything he'd ever wanted in a woman—supportive and outspoken, compassionate and independent. Who cared if they'd reconnected less than a week ago? When it was right, it was right, and he knew in the deepest recesses of his heart that she was the one for him, the woman of his dreams. He'd always known. He just hadn't admitted it before now.

"Hey, Ryan?" Daniel peered at him from across the small coffee table.

With a start, he straightened. "Sorry," he mumbled, not sure what he'd missed but certain he wasn't going to admit where his thoughts had taken him. "I must've drifted off there for a moment."

"We were discussing the bridesmaids gowns. Brianna asked you what you thought of pink," Evelyn coached without a hint of reprimand.

"Pink." He sought Evelyn's eyes and smiled at the amused expression he found there. Did she know what he'd been thinking? Nah. She couldn't have. He blinked away images of her in a white dress and veil. "Pink's good."

"Pink, then," Brianna agreed. "It'll blend well with any of the floral arrangements we saw at Forget Me Knot or the table settings from Be Married."

That topic behind them, the conversation drifted to other subjects. Through it all, he didn't have much to say. Whenever he thought of a few words, his mind replaced them with an image of his future with Evelyn in it. Robbed of his ability to speak, he spent the next hour pretending to listen until, finally, Brianna yawned.

"This has been fun, but it's been a long day," Daniel said less than a second later. The groom gave his arms and legs an exaggerated stretch. He hugged his bride-to-be with one arm. "Tomorrow's another busy one. What say we call it a night?"

Brianna poked him in the ribs. "You big goof. That wasn't very polite." She smothered another yawn behind her hand.

Hoping the motion would clear his head, Ryan was on his feet in an instant. "Don't give it another thought. It's time we headed back, too. Like you said, big day tomorrow."

He and Daniel traded fist bumps while the women exchanged goodbye hugs. Almost before he knew it, he was holding the door to his pickup open for Evelyn. They'd backed out of the driveway before either of them spoke.

"You were awfully quiet back there." Evelyn's voice drifted from the passenger seat. "Nickel for your thoughts?"

He harrumphed. "Isn't that supposed to be a penny?" He shifted the pickup into drive .

"Inflation. Humor me."

He cast a sidelong glance at his passenger. Confessing that he'd been picturing her in a long white dress might win her over, but it might just as easily scare her off. He needed a surer bet, a more subtle approach. When in doubt, go with what you know, he told himself. And what he knew was restoration. The first step in every project was to scope out the extent of the job. His heart hammering in his throat, he moved to gauge the task that faced him. "Do you ever see yourself having what Brianna and Daniel have?"

Evelyn swiveled toward him, her jeans whispering on the leather seat. "Someday, yeah. I need to figure out my next step career-wise. After that …" She shrugged one shoulder. "I want someone to love, someone who loves me. Who doesn't? I want the whole package—a home, a family."

Good. That was good. His heart rate throttled down a notch. Next, he needed to find out if that someone could be him. His mouth dry, he asked, "Any prospects?"

Evelyn crossed her legs. "There's one guy I have my eye on. Tall. Broad shoulders. Good with his hands. He's definitely in the Maybe category."

Him . She was talking about him. Hope bloomed in his chest. Before he let it go too far, he stole a glance from the road to see if she was serious. The smile that played around her lips told him he'd heard right and sent a jolt of pure joy racing through him. Determination straightened his spine. For as long as it took, he'd spend every minute working to change that Maybe into a Definitely . He'd start by picking up where they'd left off on the path. He wanted a second chance at the kiss Daniel's text had interrupted.

When he slowed to check for cross traffic at Union and Procession, Evelyn dashed cold water on his plans by asking him to drop her off at Dress For A Day instead of taking her home. "Cheri and Jenny are meeting me at the salon so we can look at gowns for Brianna's wedding."

"In pink," he added, just to prove he had been paying attention. He checked the digital readout on the dashboard, surprised to see it was well after nine. This time of night, all the stoplights in town had turned to yellow caution lights. Apparently, Evelyn had her own way of slowing things down, too. He made the final turn onto Boutonniere and stopped in front of the dress shop. "I'll wait for you," he said, letting the big engine idle.

"That's sweet, but I can't ask you to do that." She uncrossed her legs and shifted toward the door.

"I don't mind. I wouldn't want you to walk home alone this late." Even as he said the words, he knew she'd see through his excuse for staying put. Crime was practically nonexistent in the town known as America's Top Wedding Destination. She'd be perfectly safe on the short walk to the Captain's Cottage.

Evelyn's hand on his forearm sent his pulse galloping, but her smile warmed his heart. "I have no idea how long I'll be. This could take fifteen minutes, or it could take all night. Jenny will drop me off at the Cottage when we're finished. See you tomorrow?"

Warmth flooded him at the hope he heard in her voice. He rushed to reassure her. "You can count on it. We have a Wedding-in-a-Week to plan." And I have a heart to win.

He waited until the door of the bridal salon swung shut behind her. Then he aimed the truck for home. He had a campaign to plan, one that was sure to win the heart of the woman of his dreams.

Stop that!

Evelyn reluctantly quit doodling hearts and flowers on the paper ink blotter that covered her desk. What was she, a teenager? She had better things to do, more important things to accomplish than to sit here daydreaming about Ryan Court and being in love. She wasn't in love. Not even close.

She gave the paper sheet one last glance, sighed, and reached for her computer mouse. Maybe she was just the tiniest little bit in love, but she couldn't think of that right now. Jason was counting on her to keep things running smoothly in his absence. Heart's Landing was counting on her to deliver a perfect wedding for their Wedding-in-a-Week couple. She couldn't let them down.

She slid the cursor across the screen. Three clicks of the mouse later, she studied the schedule for the Captain's Cottage on her computer screen. While she'd been busy with Brianna and Daniel—and thinking entirely too much about a tall, handsome carpenter—Alicia and Jenny had launched four couples into wedded bliss. Additionally, Jenny had given several prospective brides tours of the mansion. Four of them had locked in their preferred dates. Housekeeping and Landscaping reported that everything was going smoothly in their departments. Even Connie had helped out. The head chef had inventoried their stock and prepared this week's supply order, relieving Evelyn of yet another task.

She tapped her pencil against the ink blotter. Much as she appreciated how much everyone had pitched in to cover for her while she focused on Wedding-in-a-Week, she had to admit their efforts only underscored the fact that the Captain's Cottage could get along perfectly well without her. She'd suspected it for some time now, but scrolling through the weekly reports without spotting a single red flag confirmed it. Once Jason returned from his honeymoon and Tara took over as hostess of the mansion that played host to hundreds of weddings each year, she'd be at loose ends.

Oh, no doubt, she'd have a job for as long as she wanted, and she'd always have a place to live. Family meant too much to Jason for her cousin to throw her out on the street. The thing was, she'd grown restless over the past year. She wanted to do more than merely manage the books and order supplies. But what? And where? Those were questions she needed to find the answers to, and the sooner, the better.

She ran a hand through her curls. She'd meant it when she'd told Ryan she was done with New York. Always hustling to make the rent, to nail even a bit part in a play … that wasn't for her anymore. The bright lights and crowded streets no longer held any appeal. As for the Captain's Cottage, she loved the history and the elegance of her family home, but helping to continue its traditions wasn't her cup of tea.

So what did she want?

She jotted three quick notes on the blotter. She'd love to get in on the ground floor of a project here in Heart's Landing. She wanted to establish new traditions, develop her own ways of going about things. She needed to play a bigger role in providing the perfect wedding for every bride. When she finished, she studied what she'd written and nodded. Now that she knew what she wanted, she just had to figure out the how and the where of it.

She sensed the answers hovered just out of reach. They were getting closer, though. Close enough that she ought to broach the subject with Jason as soon as he returned from Europe. A thrill rushed through her. Whatever happened next, it felt exciting to be on the cusp of something new.

A knock on her door interrupted her musings. She looked up to see Jenny standing in the doorway .

"You're leaving soon?" The slim brunette held a copy of today's itinerary in one hand. According to it, Evelyn had a full day of Wedding-in-a-Week activities ahead.

"Pretty quick." She glanced at her notes and smiled. In more ways than one.

"Cheri called. She was able to get the dresses we like from a sister shop in Providence. They'll be here in plenty of time for the wedding on Sunday."

"Great!" She and Jenny had spent hours trying on gowns before the newlywed had chosen one with a fitted waist that showed off her ample curves and was sure to put a smile on her husband's face. Evelyn had selected an off-the-shoulder model in the same mauvey-pink. The skirt of hers fell in graceful folds from an empire waist. She could hardly wait to see Ryan's reaction when he saw her in it.

"So, um, Ryan, huh?" Jenny raised an eyebrow, all the while delivering a knowing look.

Evelyn fought to keep her features neutral. "He's helping with Wedding-in-a-Week. Just like Alicia asked him to."

Her deepening feelings for Ryan were too new to share. Why, she'd barely mentioned the carpenter while she and Jenny had tried on gown after gown last night. She gave the matter a second thought. Okay, maybe she had wondered aloud whether he'd like this dress or what he'd think of that one. And she might've mentioned he was her date for the wedding, but that was all, honest. She certainly hadn't gushed about him like a high school girl with a crush.

"You're sure there's nothing more going on between the two of you?" Jenny wagged a finger back and forth.

She flattened her palm over the hearts and flowers on the ink blotter while her resistance buckled. She didn't have any idea how she'd kept the secret locked inside all through last night's fitting, but she couldn't hold it back anymore. "Well, he did nearly kiss me."

"Oh?" In three quick strides, Jenny crossed to the guest chair and plunked herself down. "Out with it. I want all the juicy details."

"I'm afraid there aren't any. The operative word here is nearly ," she pointed out. "He had some, um, stuff to go over." Ryan trusted her to keep his secrets. She wouldn't blurt them out, not even to Jenny. "We went for a walk along the bike path, and everything was normal. Until, all of a sudden, it wasn't. There was this moment when we just connected, you know?"

"Ooh," Jenny sighed. "Tell me more."

"There's not a whole lot more to tell," she admitted, surprised by how much she wanted there to be. "He leaned in, and I had just enough time to think, kiss! Then his phone went off. After that, we rushed over to the bed-and-breakfast."

"But he has feelings for you. And you like him, too, don't you?" Jenny leaned forward, anticipation written on her face.

"I do. I always have," she admitted.

"Squeeee!"

"Hush!" Evelyn warned. "No one can know about this. It's too soon."

"Oh, but those first days of falling in love are so exciting," Jenny protested. She sucked in a breath. "Are you in love?"

She wrapped one loose curl around her finger. She found it hard to concentrate whenever she was around Ryan. When he wasn't near, she thought of him constantly. More than once, she'd caught herself daydreaming of a future with him.

Was that love? Heavy like, definitely. But something more, something deeper? How could she be sure? She shook her head. "I don't think so. Not yet, anyway."

"But there's a chance."

Jenny looked at her with such hope in her eyes that Evelyn hated to disappoint the girl, but if and when she ever did fall in love, she'd always thought her Mr. Right should be the first to know. "We'll see." That was all she could say for now. "You—you won't repeat any of this, will you?"

"I won't. I swear." Jenny crossed her heart with two fingers. "This is Heart's Landing, after all. If two of its own start making calf-eyes at each other, every shop owner will have your entire wedding planned before you go out on your second date, right down to whether you'll put mints or Jordan almonds in your favor bags."

Laughter bubbled up from deep inside her chest. Jenny might be a relative newcomer, but she knew how things worked in the town where weddings reigned supreme. She sobered quickly and worried her bottom lip. There was one other reason why she refused to get her hopes up about Ryan, and it was a doozy. "It's true that I have feelings for Ryan. I'm pretty sure he likes me more than a little, too. Once Brianna and Daniel announce their choices, though, everything could fall apart," she warned. Until then, she couldn't let her guard down. Not completely. She had to protect her heart.

Jenny's brows knitted for a second. They smoothed just as quickly. "You think our Wedding-in-a-Week couple will choose the Captain's Cottage. "

"If they don't, it'll be a first. I'm not sure Ryan will take the news well."

Jenny shook her head as if that made no sense at all.

"He has a lot riding on this," she explained. "He could lose everything he's worked for if they don't choose Harbor View. What if they choose the Captain's Cottage and he blames me?" She couldn't, wouldn't let herself fall in love with Ryan until then.

"You're not trying to influence Brianna and Daniel, are you?"

"No. Of course not." She swept the question aside like rice on the sidewalk after a wedding. She'd never stoop that low. Not even if it meant catching drips from the Cottage's leaky roof in pots all over the attic.

"I'm sure Ryan knows it, too. Just like you trust him not to try and sway them to his side."

She smiled. Jenny was right. She did trust Ryan. At least, as far as Brianna and Daniel were concerned. That just left her heart. She'd have to figure out whether she could trust him with that next, and she had a pretty good idea how to start. "I'll talk it over with Jason the next time he calls, but I want us to start recommending Harbor View Weddings whenever a new bride isn't completely sold on what the Captain's Cottage has to offer. Can we do that?"

"Wow! You really like this guy, don't you?" Jenny's mouth hung open just a bit.

True, but there was more to it than that. "Heart's Landing prides itself on providing the perfect wedding for every bride. We're either all-in on that, or we're not. Now that Ryan's opening Harbor View, we can't afford to ‘miss the boat' with anyone who wants a waterfront venue," she said, enclosing the pun in air quotes.

Jenny's eyebrows dipped. "What if we start doing this and things don't work out between you and Ryan?"

She hated to think of that possibility, but Jenny was right. She had to consider it. "That won't change a thing," she said, sticking by her decision. "We have to do the right thing for our brides. It's why they come to Heart's Landing, after all." She tore the top sheet off the blotter, folded it neatly into quarters, and tucked it in her top drawer for safe keeping. "I have to run. Ryan and I are meeting Brianna and Daniel at Favors Galore. Then it's on to Janet Hubbard's place for a tasting. Tomorrow, we'll be at I Do Cakes for most of the day."

"My favorite part." Standing, Jenny smiled a dreamy smile. No surprise there, considering her husband, Nick, owned the bakery .

"We'll wrap things up on Friday with cocktails and music selections here at the Cottage. Are we all set for those?" A country-western band, a jazz combo, and a string quartet had offered to provide music for the wedding and reception. During the auditions, the happy couple would sip drinks specially prepared by a professional bartender.

"Yep. I can't wait to see what they choose for their signature cocktail."

"Whatever it is, that's one tasting we'll all enjoy." Evelyn licked her lips. She scooped up the day's itinerary and rose. "I hate to run, but, well, I've got to run."

She and her friend traded a few last-minute updates before they headed in different directions. Not long after, she stepped from the Cottage's car in front of Favors Galore. Ryan waited for her on the sidewalk. As she'd hoped, his eyes widened slightly the moment he spotted her auburn hair falling in thick ringlets over the pale peach blouse she'd chosen especially for its color.

Could they really have their own Heart's Landing love for the ages? Her breath quickened. Ryan was one of the kindest, most intelligent men she'd ever known. He knew what he wanted to do with his life and had set out to make his dreams a reality, even when they'd clashed with his parents' vision for their youngest son. It didn't hurt one bit that his tall, broad-shouldered frame and chiseled features made her motor hum. She liked him—a lot. She even loved him in many ways. But was she in love with him? She didn't know the answer to that question, but she certainly planned to enjoy spending time with him over the next few days. And who knew? Maybe she'd discover the answer to her question along the way.

Inside the gift shop, Curtis snapped pictures while Brianna and Daniel lingered over three different gift bags loaded with goodies and wine. Each contained an assortment of Ashley's hand-crafted chocolates. Evelyn tried and failed not to read too much into it when Ryan stuck close by her side as they sampled the candies and sipped the wine selections. But all too soon, it was time to head to Food Fit For A Queen.

She drank in the mouthwatering aromas of butter and spice as she stepped into Chef Janet Hubbard's domain. She'd attended enough weddings and other events in Heart's Landing to expect great food from the caterer, but in this instance, the chef had clearly gone the extra mile for their Wedding-in-a-Week couple. Evelyn's tummy rumbled, as if she needed reminding that she'd deliberately skipped breakfast this morning in anticipation of the coming feast .

After welcoming them to her establishment, Chef Janet quickly explained Brianna and Daniel's three options and then turned them loose to taste their way through the dining room, arranged to highlight their choices. In the front area, bar tables clustered around food stations that held a variety of heavy hors d'oeuvres, along with a carving station. Opposite it, a buffet offered a selection of pasta dishes before ending with a seafood bar. At a table in the center of the room, waitstaff stood ready to provide a plated dinner option. A discreet placard provided a menu that included steak, lobster, and Cornish game hens.

Evelyn grinned when Ryan headed straight for the carving station, where one of Chef Janet's assistants piled his plate high with succulent roast beef and turkey. He drizzled her signature sauces on both. While Brianna and Daniel slowly worked their way through the pasta buffet and seafood bar, she surveyed the assortment of appetizers. Evelyn couldn't resist a tasty-looking mushroom and scallop concoction and was glad when she sampled it. The combination of the earthy mushrooms with the salty sweetness of the seafood practically made her eyes roll back in her head. She loaded several of those morsels onto a dish and surrounded them with an assortment of other bite-size pieces, enough to share with the others. Gathering at the table, the foursome laughed and talked and traded bites as they worked their way through the amazing spread.

By the time everyone had declared they couldn't eat another bite and thanked Chef Janet, the sun hung low in the western sky. Brianna and Daniel opted to swing by The Glass Slipper before going back to the bed-and-breakfast. Other than that, their big plans for the evening included renting a movie and vegging out. Evelyn rarely turned down a chance to go shoe-shopping, but for once, she resisted joining the couple. Despite the excellent job Alicia and Jenny and the rest had done covering for her this week, she still had bookkeeping to tackle and Connie's supply order to place. When she shared that news with him, the disappointment that swam in Ryan's eyes tempted her to change her mind, but she stuck to her guns, and they headed in different directions.