Chapter Twelve

Tori pulled up at the office, grateful to find a parking space before ten o’clock on a Saturday morning. The downtown streets were even more full than during the week thanks to the huge farmer’s market held in the park a few blocks down.

She had her keys ready as she approached the office door, only to find that it was already unlocked. She pushed it open. “Hello?”

“Good morning, sunshine.” Lettie sat at Tori’s desk, her long, black hair free and loose around her shoulders, bent over a stack of papers and whatever else.

“What are you doing here?”

“I knew you’d be here early to go over your presentation for the Bedlands for the zillionth time, so I thought I’d bring you some coffee.” She pointed to two paper cups from the café down the street sitting on the edge of the desk in front of her, followed by the file of paperwork she was sorting through. “And then I decided to check your files and make sure you didn’t sneak back here last night and go overboard.”

“You’ll be happy to know that not only did I not come back here last night, but I also managed to step away from the file and the playbook without making a single change.”

“Good. Because no changes you made yesterday could possibly make this any better. From what I’ve seen of it, this wedding will be beautiful, and the Bedlands would have to be insane not to pick you.”

“Thanks.” She was grateful to see her friend before the big presentation, but it was nothing compared to how much she looked forward to having Wyatt come along today. She’d meant it as a thank-you for his show of friendship last night, but she’d be lying if she said it wasn’t to help calm her nerves as well. The concept was disconcerting to say the least, but she could handle only one thing at a time. “So how was the date last night?”

Lettie’s lips curved in an impish grin. “Have I ever told you how attractive drummers are to me?”

“It may have come up a few times.” She’d heard way too many stories about Lettie’s childhood crush on Green Day’s Tré Cool. “Does that mean it went well?”

“So well, and the band ended up being pretty good too. How was your night? I never got the seventh episode text.”

Tori leaned one hip against the desk. “Right. I, uh, got a bit distracted,” she muttered, her face growing warm.

“Why do I get the feeling this wasn’t the typical distraction?”

The heat on her cheeks turned into a full-on burn.

“Tori?”

A quick knock, knock, knock sounded from the window. Wyatt stood on the other side, two cups of coffee from the same café in his hands and a crooked grin on his face.

Tori checked her watch. She expected to spend at least half an hour prepping before she and Wyatt rode over to her chosen venue together. She’d told him to meet her at the office at ten. According to her watch, it was still a few minutes ’til.

“Is that the guy?”

“Yes.”

Lettie sat back in her chair. “Anything you want to tell me?”

“I invited him to come see the venue today. You know, let him see what he’s up against.”

“That’s awfully nice of you. Does this mean you two are…?”

“No,” she said a little too loudly. She took a deep breath and tried again. “No, this is just a friendly gesture. Nothing more.” She didn’t needed Lettie entertaining any ideas.

“Friends? Last I heard that wasn’t allowed either.”

“Yeah, well, it was a weird night.” Lettie’s mouth fell open and she looked ready to ask more questions, but Tori held up a hand. “I promise to tell you all about it after this meeting, which I really should be heading to now. My ride’s waiting.”

“I’d send you away with coffee, but it looks like someone else had the same idea I did.” She pointed out the window where Wyatt now stood with his back toward them, waiting. “Your friend is very considerate.”

Tori scowled at her, but Lettie just laughed. “Go, go. I’ll lock up here.”

She snatched the folder from her desk and headed for the door, ignoring her best friend’s order to “knock ’em dead” but appreciating it all the same.

“Turn left up here.”

“You know, if you’d just told me where we’re going, you wouldn’t have to give me step-by-step directions.” Wyatt slowed and made the turn despite his grumbling.

“True. But I want you to be able to get the full effect when we pull up.”

He nodded, side-eyeing her from the driver’s seat. “You doing okay over there? Nervous at all?”

“No, actually.” Though that may be a different story once they arrived at the venue. Which should be soon. “We’re almost there. Just one more turn right here.”

They pulled up to a drive with a massive stone entrance. Wrought iron gates sat open, and a gravel drive carried them between rows of magnolia trees spattered with large, white blossoms. About a mile down, the trees finally cleared, exposing a brick and stone manor amid thousands of acres of lush green grass.

“Oh wow.”

Tori sat straighter in her seat. This was exactly the kind of reaction she’d been hoping for, and she felt her confidence grow by at least a few inches.

They pulled up to a wide, stone courtyard where Deb’s blue Honda had no doubt been sitting since she come to make sure everything was set up properly that morning. Behind it was a silver BMW, next to which four figures stood talking as Wyatt put the truck in park. Georgina Bedland, Dani, and Collin stared up at the ivy-covered walls as Deb was, hopefully, sharing some of the estate’s history with them.

Tori stepped out of the truck, her folder grasped tightly in one hand. “Hello, everyone. Welcome to Dawson Manor.”

“It’s good to see you, Torrance.” Georgina was beaming as she grabbed Tori and pulled her in for a hug.

“Good to see you, too, Georgina.” As soon as she was out of the mother’s arms, she was wrapped in the daughter’s. “And you, Dani.”

“This place looks beautiful.”

Collin clapped Wyatt on the back. “Didn’t realize you’d be coming.”

“Tori was gracious enough to let me tag along.” He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “And I’m always open for a little inspiration,” he said with a subtle wink at her.

Georgina stared up at the house. “This home is gorgeous.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet. Are we all set up inside, Deb?”

“We are. I’ll just run in and let everyone know that our full party has arrived. If you all will excuse me.” She headed inside the manor doors.

“Now, obviously, we would hire valet to take everyone’s cars. We can have photographers ready to get pictures of the guests in front of the ivy as they arrive. I know someone who can print those photos in record time, so we can have them hanging up with table numbers on the back for the guests to grab right before the reception. And we can print them with a customized filter so that they also double as a party favor to take home.”

“That’s a cute idea,” Dani said.

“Shall we head in?” After an encouraging nod from Wyatt, Tori led the group to the front doors, Wyatt silently taking up the rear, and into a wide, brightly lit vestibule. “There’s a spacious bridal suite just over there”—she pointed toward a door on their left—“as well as a groom suite and wine cellar in the basement.”

She stopped in front of a set of thick double doors to the right of the vestibule. “And this,” she said as she pushed the doors open with a dramatic flourish, “is the ballroom.”

“Oh my.” Georgina clutched a hand to her chest, Dani beaming beside her as they took it all in. Crystal chandeliers hung from the fifteen-foot-high vaulted ceiling brightened by long, white beams. Light maple floors glowed under the natural light flowing in through the glass wall at the far end of the ballroom.

“Now that’s a view,” Collin announced as he and Dani strode hand in hand to the windows. Beyond them lay a picturesque scene of blue sky, verdant lawn, and hills covered in row after row of lemon trees. A sea of emerald spotted with little yellow fruits so bright Tori could almost smell the fragrant citrus from here.

“This ballroom is more than big enough for the guest list. I’m picturing a white linen aisle runner leading down to an arch of green leaves interspersed with brightly colored flowers in pinks, oranges, and yellows that will really pop.”

Dani nodded. “I like the sound of that.”

“After the ceremony, the guests will be led out through a side door to the veranda for drinks and afternoon tea while we get pictures of the bridal party and have a team finishing up any last-minute adjustments to the seating and arrangements of the reception tables, which I’d like to set up in the lemon grove out at the back lawn. This way we can have the elegant indoor wedding ceremony with fun, vibrant colors and a warm, outdoor reception.”

Tori handed over the folder she’d been clutching like her life depended on it since they’d arrived. Mother and daughter stood side by side, poring over the various pictures she’d prepared of color palettes and flowers and decorations.

“We’ve already had a few table arrangements set up out on the veranda for you to really get an idea of what it would look like.” She nodded to Deb, who was waiting for them by a set of double doors.

Deb nodded in return, followed by an enthusiastic two thumbs up while no one was looking, then straightened. “If you would just follow me.” She led the way through the doors to the covered patio where several round and long tables were waiting, each decorated to match Tori’s citrus theme. Wooden tables were set with peach placemats, white plates, and gold-rimmed glasses, some holding bouquets of yellow, orange, and pink flowers, some with centerpiece vases filled with actual lemons and oranges and other citrus fruits. One of the long tables had been arranged with greenery running down the center from end to end, freckled with bright peonies and roses much like the arch she’d shown them earlier.

She did a calculating sweep of Dani’s, Collin’s, and Georgina’s faces as they weaved through each of the uniquely decorated tables, trying to read their thoughts. They’d said enough since arriving to convince her they liked her ideas, but so far there was no telling if they could actually see this as their wedding. “Of course, just about any of these details can be changed. This is just one of many options available to you.”

No one said anything, and Tori’s chest felt heavy. Thanks to the arrangements Deb had set up, she was able to truly see the wedding she’d been envisioning, and it was beautiful. But did it meet the Bedlands’ high standards?

She hazarded a glance at Wyatt, who’d been unusually quiet through the whole thing. His stoic expression as he observed the venue was impossible to gauge. As if he felt her stare, he looked up. He grinned with what could only be approval, and the weight on her chest lifted instantly.

Feeling ten inches taller, Tori drew in a slow breath. “So…what do you think?”

Dani shook her head, a smile spreading across her face that set Tori’s heart racing. “It’s gorgeous. This place is incredible, and I love the colors and decorations. I can just see it all, and it’s beautiful. You’ve got a gift. Doesn’t she, Momma?”

“She really does,” Georgina agreed. “I’m very impressed. I can see why your mother was so willing to hand her company over to you. I think this is going to be very difficult to follow.” She cast a pointed look in Wyatt’s direction.

His smile was light and unaffected, but his eyes on hers looked anything but. “I knew going in that anything she came up with would be.”

Georgina nodded. “I look forward to seeing what you’ve come up with to top this.”

Tori’s insides danced, the quick and boundlessly energetic moves of a jive. Not only had she made it through her first solo pitch at her own company, she’d absolutely nailed it.

She wanted so badly to throw her arms out wide and shout her joy to the farthest reaches of the orchard. Later, she told herself. For now, she needed to maintain her professional demeanor. There would be plenty of time for victory dancing when this was all over.