A Winter’s Wedding (Christmas Cove #3)

Chapter 21

Having dropped their broken-into, over-priced rental car off in Buffalo, the foursome carpooled to a cute bed and breakfast a few hours closer to home. On recommendation from a friend of Paul’s, America’s father secured two rooms in a place near Rome for the night where America got right to work.

Running down the staircase, America squealed the good news. “You guys. She’s in!” She turned through the arched cased opening and realized her party wasn’t alone in the sitting room. “Sorry,” she said in a more restrained tone to the elderly couple reading beside the fireplace. She tiptoed the remaining steps to where her parents and Leo sat at a game table beside the window. “Carol said all we need to do is show up, act like everything is normal. She’s got it from there.”

“How did she take the news?” Mom asked.

“I think somehow, she already knew. It seemed like she wasn’t surprised at all and kind of giggled when I told her what happened in Las Vegas,” America said and mimicked the little laugh. “I’ve never heard her so giddy. Anyway, When I realized that everyone is going to know the truth once my article is published, the deception wouldn’t have worked, and now everyone will get the big wedding event they want.”

“You could still have just told everyone and still had the reception to celebrate with everyone,” Paul said while shuffling a deck of cards.

“I see that now. I think I just wanted everything to be so perfect and really impress everyone in town that I lost sight of what the wedding day is all about. But don’t worry. This is going to be so much better.”

“I can tell you’re feeling better about this,” Leo said as she sat sideways on his lap, even though there was a vacant chair at the table. “What are you going to do for a dress? I feel so bad that you won’t be able to wear it. I bet you would have looked magnificent in it.”

She nuzzled his neck and kissed his cheek. “We’ll never know.”

Vivian put her hand up like she was a student in a classroom. “Why don’t I call that great little shop in Elizabethtown where I got my dress and see what they have on short notice. You’re a sample size anyway, maybe they have something that’ll work.”

Before America could protest, her mother shot from her seat and took her phone from her pocket. Her eyes lit up at having something to do to contribute after being out of touch for the last week.

What a week it had been! The morning had been a wild coaster ride. Finding freedom in telling the truth, so much had changed inside America. Though the road to Saturday was paved a little smoother now, she suspected the next few days would be just as eventful as the previous ones. Surrounded by her favorite people, gratitude warmed her heart. “I still can’t believe you guys met up with us. I don’t know how you did it.”

America’s dad sipped an amber liquid, some variety of scotch, and placed the glass on a cork coaster. “It just so happened that Leo texted us and we were able to swing on over. We weren’t really in the neighborhood so to speak, but a couple hours detour was worth it if we could help.”

“I’m really glad you’re here, Dad,” America said and shook his hand. She leaned her head on Leo’s shoulder. “And thank you for calling them in. I guess even when you’re grown, sometimes you just need your parents.”

Vivian came back from the front hall where she had made the phone call, and a broad smile puffed her cheeks. Her enthusiasm was impossible to miss. “Good news. The shop said they have a couple gowns in your size, and they will hold them for us for you to try on tomorrow. We can swing by on our way to the Cove and get it. Isn’t that fantastic?”

“Mom, what if they’re all hideous?”

“So what? You wear the least horrid thing and slap a smile on your face. Understood?” she said like any mother would.

America nodded. Her mother was a great many things, not least of all a take-charge-type-A woman. If there was a problem needing solving, Vivian was right there in the thick of things. America wouldn’t have put it past her mother to have concocted this whole mess, just to have something productive to do.

“What’s so funny, babe?” Leo spoke softly into her ear.

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Like when I finally get you alone tonight?”

America’s cheeks warmed as she nodded, barely able to hide her grin.

Paul began to deal the cards out and Leo waved him off. “I think I’m ready to knock off.”

“What about you, America?” Paul asked with a hopeful pump of his brows to have another player.

“I’m ready to crash too. Maybe a bath first,” America said and pretended to nod off.

Paul restacked the cards. “Vi?” She shook her head, and he realized his hopes for a good round of spades were gone. “Anything else you need us to arrange for Saturday?” Paul added. “You don’t have to do everything by yourself.”

“There is one little thing,” America said. “We didn’t mention this earlier, but we don’t have a cake anymore.”

Leo chimed in. “The storm knocked out the power at the bakery. Just think melted cakes, defrosted refrigerators, and a colorful flood in the building. A disaster zone.”

“Can Alfonso whip something up?” Paul asked.

“I don’t feel right about adding anything to his already full plate. As it is, he’s still got Foundry guests to feed until they check out tomorrow, then he has to switch gears and prepare all the food for the reception.”

“Speaking of Alfonso, I wonder what Carol and Pa picked out at the tasting the other day? I didn’t really ask,” America said. “I guess this whole letting go of control thing isn’t too bad after all.”

“No worries about the cake. I’ve got it covered.”

“Thanks Mom.”

“I’m only glad that everything is working out now.” Mom wrapped her arms around America and patted Leo on the shoulders. “I almost forgot. We sent a little something up to your room.”

What could it be? America wondered. “Thanks?” she said with suspicion in her pitched tone.

“We’re gonna turn in soon. See you at breakfast tomorrow.”

Lifting America off his lap, Leo took her by the hand and escorted her up the curved staircase. He took out the old skeleton key with a silk tassel hanging from the top and unlocked the door to room number seven. Inside, a small cart was positioned next to the fireplace. A fluffy white fur blanket was draped over a pink settee with a wooden frame that screamed cozy luxury. The surprise was waiting on the cart; a bottle of sweet sparkling wine and a platter of cheeses, and chocolates.

“This is exactly what I needed after today,” America said, and pulled Leo inside the door. With her arms wrapped around his neck, and her lips planted on his, she kicked the door shut with her heel.