The Mills & Boon Christmas Wishes Collection. Maisey Yates
because I didn’t have permission and that would veto any insurance. I knew the chapel was safe, that there were no tripping hazards, but it would be just my luck that a freak accident happened and I wasn’t sure it was worth the risk.
I’d snuck in there earlier this morning after the florist had placed flowers everywhere and taken a range of pictures, the fairy lights creating that perfect air of magic and romance against the rustic wooden pews and pulpit. Maybe I could get away with showing the brides pictures on the big screen in the theater room instead. Safety first and all of that.
“Can you set that up in the lobby, please?” I asked a man wheeling a light machine that would send shooting stars up and down the ceiling. Just one of the options our brides might go for. Some liked super-glitzy elements to their weddings, others more low-key options. We’d tried to cater to them all.
Amory walked into the room and clipped on an earring shaped like a Christmas tree as carols echoed around the room. This was going to be one beautiful festive day, even the sun was shining – making the freshly fallen snow glisten outside. The sleds were parked near the slopes, and hot cocoa would be waiting for anyone who wanted to sip as they walked around the grounds in the snow. The ice-skating rink surface looked like glass. Most of the brides-to-be wouldn’t want to participate in the winter activities outside, but we still wanted everything to look ready, as if they or their guests could head out for a fun-filled day at any time. Staging at its finest.
She said, “The florist has just finished the front salon and he’s on to the centerpieces on the tables in the ballroom. The place smells divine.”
I nodded as Micah came bouncing in, his full-wattage grin firmly in place. “What? What’s that face about?”
He flashed a piece of paper. “Kai managed to get a one-day approval from Old Ned. You may waltz your brides down the aisle today, if need be.”
Words froze on my tongue. “What?” I managed. “How? Ned wanted to inspect the chapel, didn’t he? And Kai, our registered builder, was supposed to be on-site…”
“Ned came out early this morning and took a quick look around. It helped that Kai had used Ned’s brother-in-law for the structural work. When Kai figured out they were related, he called Ned and explained about the quality of his tradespeople, and just so happened to mention his relative’s name, and how we’d probably use him for the renovations of the chalets if all went well with the bridal expo…”
I shook my head in awe. “God, he’s clever! So Ned won’t want his brother-in-law to lose potential future work at Cedarwood?”
“Bingo,” Micah said, grinning. “Ned still wants to meet Kai and go over it all with him properly, but you have one day to wow your brides. And for the record, I told him Kai was running errands and wouldn’t be in until later.”
“Wow, Micah. You guys are amazing. Thank you!” My stomach somersaulted with glee.
I read the document and smiled when I saw the loop and swirls of Ned’s signature. A one-day reprieve and just in time! Now I could get properly excited.
We went painstakingly through our list of suppliers, and where they’d set up their wares to show them in the best light. We hoped our brides would fall in love with the quality and detail and leave everything to us. A one-stop wedding shop.
“Canapés first up!” Amory said. “Then we’ll introduce them to our vendors.”
“Yes, and then we take them for a dance lesson in the great hall.”
“The instructor’s coming at eleven. Then they can wander the estate and check out the chapel before we regroup for lunch.” Whew, there was a lot for them to do and see.
“I hope we get some bookings after all this work.” I took another large gulp of coffee and marveled at both Amory and myself being out of bed and organized so early. Outside, Micah and Isla laughed as they finished festooning trees with fairy lights. They really were so in love, it was hard to look away. If only I could get Amory and Cruz to see past their differences too. I hadn’t seen Cruz as yet this morning, but his car was still parked out front with a thick layer of snow atop it so he was rattling around the lodge somewhere.
“We will,” Amory said, pulling me out of the thought. “The lodge looks stunning, and with the fires crackling and the ambient music drifting down the halls, what’s not to love?”
She was right, it did look amazing, but seeing as I’d invested the rest of my funds into the expo, I couldn’t shake the feeling this had been a bit risky. But if we could get even one booking it would all be worth it. Gambling was my new thing, it seemed.
A gaggle of suited men and women walked in. “It’s the orchestra!” I motioned for help from Aunt Bessie. She gave me a nod, and ushered them into the ballroom. Wearing a long red dress and fitted blazer, she looked every inch the glamourpuss she was. “Follow me, friends,” she said, “I’ll show you where to set up. Now, are any of you hungry? I make artisan donuts, you see, and I’ve squirreled some away just in case…”
I hid a smile. That woman could make friends with the abominable snowman, and not blink. It was inbuilt in Bessie to care about people, and most importantly feed them up.
Next to me, Amory was immaculately dressed in a chic pant suit, her hair and makeup flawless, but I detected shadows under her eyes not even Max Factor could disguise.
With the chapel issue sorted for the moment, I could breathe easier, so I took Amory by the arm and led her to the corner for privacy. “Are you OK?”
She gave me a tight-lipped smile. “Sure, sure. Just a little tired.”
“Don’t lie, Amory. You don’t always have to be the girl who is together all the time, you know.” It was one thing pretending to be someone else at work, slipping on a different persona, but another to do it to your best friend.
She widened her eyes. “Well, you know me. Game face on. Big day and all.”
“No one is here to see your game face except me, so don’t worry about it for now. Just tell me what’s going on.”
She thrust her hands into her pockets, and slid her gaze away. “We stayed up late, too late, and went around in circles until words were just sounds, and had no meaning. Not my best idea when we’ve got such a busy day ahead of us.”
“So where did you leave it?”
“At a crossroads. What would you do, Clio, if you were me? To ask him to stay with me and sacrifice actual living, breathing, blue-faced, screaming babies would be the epitome of selfish on my part. And he doesn’t understand that my letting him go is being selfless. Sure, I could say, ‘Great, you’re giving in to me, perfect,’ but that’s not fair. And what if ten years down the track he hates me for it?”
What a mess. I suppose I hadn’t thought of the future, and whether he would feel robbed by not having the family he’d dreamed of. “There must be a compromise. There must be!”
She lifted a brow. “Can you tell me what that might be and then we’ll both know.”
I bit down on my lip. “I… umm… I’ll have to think on it.”
“Darling, don’t worry. Let’s get to work, yeah?” With a quick peck on my cheek, she turned on her heel, and met more musicians clutching instruments and standing wide-eyed by the entrance of the ballroom.
Click-clacking her way to them in her heels, she smiled – ever the professional. “Welcome, I’ll show you where to set up.”
I waved them off, clipboard pressed tight against my chest. Bridal expo day had well and truly arrived and with it a cast of people at the lodge, all vying to get their wares set up to display to our brides.
Through the window, snow drifted down as the orchestra started warming up, playing hauntingly beautiful Christmas carols. The wedding-dress designer caught my eye and pulled out a stunning white sheer satin gown and dressed