Megan's Hero (The Callahans of Texas Book #3): A Novel (17 page)

The next morning in the church fellowship hall, Megan shoved the last of four twisted crystal-like plastic pillars straight down into the second layer of the cake. “Almost there,” she whispered. Carefully lifting the separator plate holding the third tier, she placed the small feet on the bottom of the plate into the openings of the pillars.

Turning to Will, she pointed to the four remaining pillars and the top tier. “Your turn.”

He took a step back and glanced nervously at the cake. “Are you sure you want big-fingered, clumsy me to do it?”

“I’m not worried. Anybody who can build a little Lego car can handle a plate. Besides, you can reach it a lot easier than me. I’m liable to topple the whole thing if I try it.”

“Too short.” He nodded sagely.

“And too fat. I’m afraid Sweet Baby will kick it over.” As she hoped, he laughed. That should help him relax and not drop anything.

“Don’t worry if you knock off a flower or stick a finger in the icing. I can fix it when I replace the two rosettes I broke.”

“Okay. Tell me what to do.”

“I thought you were watching me.”

“I was.” He grinned unrepentantly. “You. I wasn’t paying much attention to the details of what you were doing.”

She rolled her eyes and motioned him closer. “See the little marks on top of the cake?”

He nodded. “Is that where I put the posts?”

“Yes. I marked each tier with the feet on the next size plate before putting the cakes on them.”

“Smart.”

“It was in the instructions.”

“So? Not everybody reads instructions.”

She almost pointed out that was a male thing, but decided it would lead to a playful argument. One that probably would be fun any other time, but she needed to focus on the task at hand. “Just push them straight down until they’re resting on the plate. Then set the next plate on top of them.”

He picked up one of the plastic pieces and inspected it. “The foot on the plate fits inside here?”

“You got it. You learn fast, Mr. Callahan.”

“Why, thank you, ma’am,” he drawled. He followed her directions, putting everything together precisely.

“Perfect. Now to replace the rosettes that fell off.” Using the pastry bag, she squeezed a dollop of icing in the empty spot on the first layer and another on the second. Then she took a spare rosette from the plastic container and carefully stuck it onto the cake. She did the same with the second one. After closing the container, she set it in the box with the pastry bag and all the other things she’d brought along in case she needed them.

“Now, add this to the top. Lindsey’s mom saved it from her wedding cake.” She handed him the white plastic circular platform with a bride and groom standing arm in arm beneath an arch of tiny silk flowers. It was in remarkable condition. Lindsey loved old things, especially family heirlooms. It was perfect. “Center it and press down a little so the icing secures it.”

Suddenly, a wave of sadness surprised her. She’d never have a wedding cake or a fancy wedding. Despite Will’s sweet words and his interest, she knew she’d never have a wedding at all. She’d learned long ago that dreams didn’t come true. She’d be a fool to allow herself even the tiniest glimmer of hope that this one would.

Will completed the task, caught her hand, and drew her back a few steps to have a good view of the cake as a whole. It was so beautiful, Megan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He slid his arm around her waist and gave her a gentle hug. “It really is amazing.”

“Thank you.” She stared at her creation in wonder. “I did it. I really did it.” Smiling up at him, she slid her arm around his waist too. “But I couldn’t have put it together without your help. Or your encouragement yesterday. I was about to have a total meltdown.”

“See, we make a good team.”

“We did on this. Did you bring your camera?”

“Yep. Got it right here.” He patted his shirt pocket.

She moved her arm and stepped away from his hold. “I need to clean up the mess before we take a picture.”

He reached the cake table before she did and picked up the box with all her supplies. “You wanted this in the kitchen, right?”

“Yes, in case something happens and I need to make another repair before the reception. I’ll put the cake boxes in there too. They’ll want to save the top tier, and there might be some cake left over.”

“Don’t bet on it.” He followed her into the kitchen. “If a cake is good, some of us aren’t shy about taking seconds if there are pieces sitting there. If yours is half as good as it looks, it will disappear pronto. It’s the prettiest wedding cake I’ve ever seen.”

“Thank you.” She set the cake boxes back in a corner of the counter. “But have you seen many wedding cakes?”

“Seen and tasted.” He put her supplies alongside the boxes. “I’ve been to so many weddings since high school that I’m an expert.”

“On weddings or cakes?” She led the way through the door, then walked beside him to the long rectangular tables.

“Mostly food in general, though I could tell you that you don’t have a Texas wedding outdoors at four in the afternoon in August, and that nobody needs ten bridesmaids and groomsmen. A normal wedding would be half over by the time everybody gets down the aisle.”

“So how many have you gone to?” She moved the groom’s cake over a couple of inches so it was centered on its table.

“More than I can count.”

Megan looked up, expecting to see that teasing glint in his eye that always made her smile. He was serious.

She didn’t know what to say. She had only attended two, both people she’d worked with. What a pitiful statement about her lack of friends.

“There were a few a year during college, and five the summer we graduated. The rest have been scattered out over the years. At the last one, Dalton and I were the only single guys our age there.” He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans and slowly looked around the room. “By five o’clock all my buddies will be hitched. Not that it will be all that different. I’ve been the fifth wheel at most get-togethers for a while now.”

“Why don’t you take a date?” Surely he had a little black book—or a long list of available women in his cell phone.

He pulled his hands from his pockets. “I haven’t dated anyone in two years.”

“You’re kidding. Why not?”

“Nobody I wanted to go with.” He met her gaze. “Until now.”

The enormity of him escorting her to the wedding hit her. It would cause a gossip frenzy of major proportions. But that paled against the importance he placed on their relationship. She swallowed hard, then whispered, “Why me?”

“Because I—”

“Aha! Caught you.” Laughing, Jenna swept into the room, carrying a box of short vases filled with fresh bouquets to add to the centerpieces on the guest tables. Lindsey and Emily were right behind her with more.

Lindsey spotted the cake and let out a squeal that made Will laugh and shake his head. He winked at Megan. “I think she likes it.”

The three intruders practically tossed the boxes on a nearby table and raced across the fellowship hall. For a second, Megan thought Lindsey might plow right into the cake, but she stopped about five feet away, her mouth open in awe.

Tears misted the bride-to-be’s eyes. “It’s incredible. I knew it would be pretty, but it’s even better than I’d expected.” She turned and hugged Megan tightly. “Oh, sorry. I shouldn’t have squeezed you so tight.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t hurt anybody.”

Lindsey laughed and looked at the cake again. “That’s good.” She walked over to the groom’s table and shook her head.

Uh-oh.
Megan glanced at Will, spotting a frown. “Did I do something
wrong?”

“Goodness, no. It’s perfect.” Lindsey’s smile lit up her face. “Dalton will be so proud of it. Megan, I’m blown away. I should be paying you twice what you asked for.”

“Next time I’ll up my price.” Megan grinned, and Lindsey giggled.

“There won’t be a next time. Not for me anyway.” Lindsey moved over a step as Jenna and Emily joined her. “But seriously, for this kind of work, you can charge more.”

Jenna studied the groom’s cake, then turned back to the wedding cake. “I think we’ve lost our assistant.”

“Not for a while.” Will crossed his arms, his gaze flickering from his sister to Megan. “No big projects until after Sweet Baby is born, and her mama has fully recovered.” How could such a quietly uttered command echo in the large room?

Megan caught an amused glance pass between Jenna and Emily. They clearly expected some fireworks.

“I’m just sayin’ what she told me last night. Her decision.” He uncrossed his arms and met his sister’s grin with an expression of pure innocence. “No pressure from me.”

“Not much,” said Megan. “But he’s right. I don’t intend to do anything like this for a while.”

“I know a couple of people who will be disappointed after they see these.” Lindsey walked over and picked up a couple of vases and bouquets. “But you’re being smart. Which is what we need to be. We have to get these set out and start getting ready.”

Will checked his watch. “It’s six hours until the ceremony starts.”

“But only five until the photographer starts taking pictures. We have to hustle.”

“We have to add the water,” Emily reminded her, plucking the vases from her hands.

“We can do it,” said Will. “Y’all run on home.”

“Thanks.” Jenna gave him a hug. “Just put them on the silver mats. Then take Megan home so she can rest.”

With waves and happy chatter, the three rushed out the door.

Will chuckled and picked up one of the boxes, taking it into the kitchen, with Megan tagging along. “See, I’m not the only Callahan who tells people what to do.”

“No comment. I’ll add some water to these, if you’ll bring in the rest.”

“Got it covered.”

They worked together, filling the vases half full and carrying them out two at a time to the tables. Megan rearranged some of the turquoise and silver ribbons spiraling around the vases. A variety of flowers made up the centerpieces, so no two were exactly alike. When they finished, they stood at one end and surveyed the room.

“Looks good.” Will caught her hand and gently tugged her toward the cake tables. “We didn’t get pictures.” He took several of the wedding cake from different angles and four of the groom’s cake. “Now, come over here and let me take some with you and your creations.”

Megan shook her head. “No, thanks.”

“You can use it in an advertisement some day. To remind people of who you are and what you’re capable of. Go stand behind the table.”

“I hate having my picture taken, but you have a point.” She moved around behind the table and stood beside her masterpiece.

When he called “Say cheese” in a high pitched voice, she laughed and he snapped the picture. “Good one. But let’s get a few more.” He took two more there and two with the other cake.

“Enough already. Let’s get out of here before the caterers arrive.”

“Yeah, they might put us to work.” Will slid the camera into his pocket and rested his hand at her back as they walked toward the main door of the fellowship hall. “Have I told you that I’m proud of you?”

“About five times. I appreciate it.”

“Just tellin’ the truth, sugar.”

The cautious part of her mind told her to be careful, but she ignored it. She would accept this man’s praise and hold it close in her heart.

Later that afternoon, Megan did one last check in the full-length mirror that someone along the way had left in the bedroom. She couldn’t see Nate or Dalton hanging it on the wall, though maybe they’d used it to check their appearance before a big evening out.

“I’m going on a date with Will Callahan,” she whispered, halfway expecting to wake up any minute. She studied her reflection in the mirror. Would he be pleased at the way she looked?

Jenna had loaned her a knee-length maternity dress she’d kept after Zach was born. Teal chiffon over satin, it was sleeveless with an empire waist and a modest V-neck ruffled bodice. The color was perfect for her, and the style made her feel feminine and pretty despite beginning to look as big as a house. She’d never worn anything so fine.