“Ms. McGrath,” Arnold said with a smile. “You’re making your mother very happy.”
I nodded before turning back, peering over my shoulder at Van. He was out of the car and speaking with the driver. His dark mane blew in the breeze as his coat hung from his wide shoulders.
This sensation I was experiencing was simply cold feet, I told myself. Perhaps it was the impending nuptials. I’d cancelled one wedding. It was understandable that I felt uneasy to marry so quickly.
“Ms. McGrath?”
I turned back to Arnold. “Mr. Sherman will be following me. You remember my fiancé.”
“Yes, miss. A good man, no matter what your mother says.”
A smile flitted over my lips as I reached out and squeezed Arnold’s hand.
Something was eating at me.
One more look back at Van and that something hit me. Beneath his long wool coat, his suit pants, pleated to perfection, hung to the tops of his shiny leather loafers.
Calling from the archway, I asked, “Why did you change clothes?”
Van’s quizzical gaze turned to me.
“Your clothes?” I repeated. “Why did you change and when?”
“Julia, we’re about to be wed. The perfect attire is appropriate.”
Since when did Van worry about the perfect attire.
Hell, I would be content to marry him in his mountain-man clothes, in our cabin, surrounded by snow. Those thoughts were pushed away as my mother came hurriedly my direction.
“Julia,” she gushed as I entered the foyer. “This is quite the about-face from yesterday. I couldn’t believe when Mr…when Donovan called. I was shocked.”
Julia
In the center of the foyer with people coming and going around us, I stood my ground, recalling the encouragement Van had given me to voice my opinion. “I’m shocked too, Mom.”
Her arms opened wide as she offered me a reassuring embrace. Instead of stepping into her hug, my jaw clenched as I took a step back. “This wasn’t our plan. When did Van call you?”
“It was earlier this morning. Your father and I immediately left Wade and hurried home. As you can imagine, it’s been a mad dash to get things organized. Thankfully” —she gestured toward the tall, slender decorated tree— “the staff was able to bring back out a few of the decorations. I know it’s not much and the holidays are over, but I think the white lights will do nicely. We can consider this a winter theme. The florist is due any minute with beautiful large arrangements with pine and white roses.”
“Stop.”
Mom went on as if I hadn’t spoken. “Rosemary is coordinating everything down here. There wasn’t much selection from the caterer, but for a midday wedding, I think it will be acceptable.”
Inhaling, I turned a circle, wondering if I should run out the front door to Van or perhaps out the back.
“By the time you come back down the stairs,” Mom said, “the banister will be wound with more white lights.” Her smile grew. “Perfect for your and your father’s descent. Oh, and we have chairs being set up in the rear sitting room.”
My head shook with disbelief. “Don’t do this. I didn’t want a big wedding. I don’t want lights or chairs.”
“The tent was removed a few days ago, but the rear sitting room will easily hold a hundred chairs.”
A hundred?
My hands began to tremble. “Mom, I mean it. Stop. Stop all of it.”
“Julia, you can’t expect people to stand and watch you take vows” —her gaze narrowed as she took in my attire— “with you dressed like that.” Her hand came to my hair. “Goodness, we need to get you upstairs. This will take longer than I imagined. Surely you had some plan of being presentable for your vows.” She tsked as she pursed her lips. “I hope Donovan won’t mind a delay. Look how pale you are. Oh, darling, I’ll text Georgette and tell her it’s an emergency.”
Georgette was Mother’s aesthetician. From what my mother had just said, if you paid well enough, Georgette was constantly on call.