No Groom Like Him

“You’re a busy woman with lots of irons in the fire.”

“True. But no one’s cutting me any slack.”

“Well, try to sympathize with where they’re coming from, my dear. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if one of the boys stayed away so long. At least when they were off at college, they showed up around the holidays for gifts.”

Ginger’s boys were now all grown men. Max was her eldest, the heir to the Downey dynasty, so to speak. Her middle son was engaged to a perfectly suitable girl, although no wedding date had been set as of yet. And the youngest who was Ginger’s favorite—although she would never admit that aloud—was also following his own life path.

“If Mara wasn’t so capable, I’d have to visit our office more often,” Lily said to move the conversation along.

“I’m sure she’ll be relieved to hear it. But she has a lot of help, you know. Some very exceptional help, I might add.”

“I’ve heard. So why have you been spending so much time in the office?”

“When I saw the numbers on your renovation budget, I shivered to think about the damage Mara could do with such an obscene amount of money to spend. I felt the renovation budget needed competent supervision.”

Mara would have been quite capable of handling the renovations, Lily had no doubt, but Ginger had wanted to be involved. And whenever Ginger became involved, she wound up in charge. “I had no choice, Ginger. You know that. Not after the historical society got ahold of the area.”

“I do. But I also know you wouldn’t make the time to involve yourself, and Mara needed some guidance.” She gave a teasing laugh to take the edge from a statement that sounded more like an accusation. “You’ll be amazed when you see the place. Photos simply don’t do it justice.”

It seemed Lily could add another name to the list of people who were feeling ignored.

She could hear laughter through the doors—her family having a good time while she was working.

What else was new?

“Are you still coming into the office tomorrow?” Ginger asked. “I want to be there. I know you’ll want to get moving on Raymond’s wedding, and Mara’s in the middle of the Eversham/Raichle event. Good thing I’ve been hanging around so much. You’re going to need my help.”

Lily blinked. “Max told you I’m definitely planning Raymond’s wedding?”

“Of course, dear. Why do you sound so surprised? I wasn’t. I knew the second he told me about launching Raymond’s political career that you’d come up with something brilliant so you could get new photos to add to your website.”

She referred, of course, to Worldwide Weddings Unlimited’s website. Lily’s public relations firm had come up with the idea. They’d taken copies of the childhood photos of Lily with her fairy-inspired woodland weddings, windswept nautical nuptials beside the river and historically themed bridal parties in the church hall to brand the business. Living proof that Lily was the one and only Wedding Angel and always had been.

“I have to tell you, Ginger, I’m concerned that now isn’t the best time to attempt a breakneck wedding.” Lily planted the seed, hoping beyond hope it would take root. “The press I’ve been generating lately might not be the best way to launch anyone’s career.”

There was a beat of silence. Enough time to allow Lily to hope that she might finally get someone in her corner.

“Don’t worry too much about your detractors,” Ginger said. “That’s the nature of the beast. You know that. And you’re used to receiving glowing reviews. You’ve been fortunate. Consider this a challenge to be brilliant and prove them all wrong. Besides, who else would you let plan a wedding at Overlook?”

Every fiber of Lily’s being rebelled at being pushed. She needed a rest. Her creativity was suffering. Her mental health, too. She already wanted to escape her family, and now felt the same about Ginger, which told her how close to the edge she was. She needed this vacation like she needed to breathe clean air, like she needed to find her footing again.

But this was Ginger.

Ginger, who had supported Lily when no one else in the world believed in her, let alone been willing to plunk down good money to let a young girl barely out of high school start a business. Max’s father ran the bank where she’d applied for the personal loan to get started. He’d called her into his office, praised her aspirations then turned her down cold.

Ginger had reveled in the chance to work in business as a shareholder, to prove to her family she could do something more than charity work. Not only had she provided the starter cash for Worldwide Weddings Unlimited, but she’d also gone head-to-head with Lily’s parents, who had been afraid this business would distract Lily from finishing college.

How could she possibly deny Ginger an opportunity to assist planning a family wedding at Overlook?

And Max had known. Stupid man.

No smart man. He’d loaded the bases against her.

Staring into the backyard, Lily wondered if the frayed rope swing was strong enough to bear her weight now. “I would never let anyone else plan a wedding at Overlook.”

She was exhausted already. She couldn’t possibly get any more tired, could she?

CHAPTER SIX

All About Angel—October 5

The Luck of the Devil

Did the Wedding Angel sell her soul to the devil? Or is she so desperate to get a few nondisastrous events under her belt that she’s calling in favors to contract new business?

That’s the question readers are asking today.

What other explanation could there be for this breaking news that the Wedding Angel will plan the Carmichael/Girard wedding?

While the names of the bride and groom may not be readily recognizable, their connection to the well-known Downey family may ring some bells.

Raymond Girard is none other than the brother-in-law of Maxim Downey, newspaper magnate and heir to the multigenerational dynasty.

So how did the Wedding Angel—whose tattered reputation has her scurrying into the backwater of her hometown to lick her wounds—manage to contract an event that is sure to garner a vast amount of media attention?

The luck of the devil?

Or, if readers don’t have a religious bent there’s the much more worldly explanation.

The Wedding Angel is calling in favors.

Let’s ask ourselves: who in their right mind would pay seriously good money to invite chaos and mayhem to their special event? People currently under contract must be asking themselves if there’s some sort of curse dogging their wedding planner.

And what disaster will strike next?

Of course these unfortunate victims have already paid huge sums to engage her services and don’t have much choice but to hold their collective breath and hope her luck isn’t devolving into something of monumental proportions.

So the Wedding Angel muscles her way into a new contract that will—let’s hope!—clean up her muddy reputation, and she manipulates everyone she knows in the process. Who else but family and close friends would court disaster (and risk political suicide at the all-important start of a career) by allowing the Wedding Angel to plan an event?

Who else, indeed?

Visit the Wedding Angel’s photo gallery on her website to see proof of how far back her connection to the Downey family and Overlook goes.

Today’s poll: Will the Wedding Angel pull off her own Miracle on the Hudson or will she crash and burn? Cast your vote.

THE BLACKBERRY VIBRATED on Lily’s pillow. Her eyes shot open wide and she took in the dark bedroom to orient herself.

Riley’s wedding. Pleasant Valley. Her parents’ house.