Sweet on You (The Bridesmaids Club Book 4) (9 page)

Molly looked at Tess, then at Sally. Both women smiled at her. “Where would you like me to sit?” she sighed.

Kate grinned at her. “Come with me. I’ll look after you, I promise.”

Molly had no doubt that Kate would do as she said. But it wasn’t Kate that worried her. It was her camera, or more accurately, the lack of a camera in her hands. When she didn’t have her camera with her, she felt as though something was wrong. It didn’t feel right if she wasn’t able to frame a view, change a light setting, or see the world through a special lens.

Kate wrapped the cape around Molly’s shoulders and leaned her back against the basin. “What have you been doing since I last saw you at Dan’s birthday?”

Kate was married to Dan Carter, the Deputy Chief of Police. Molly had gone to his birthday party about a month ago with Tess and Logan. It had been a lovely night and everyone had enjoyed the barbecue on his family’s ranch.

“Molly’s going to exhibit some of her photos in a fancy gallery in Los Angeles,” Tess said. “It’s going to be amazing.”

“When does this happen?” Kate asked.

“In about five weeks,” Molly answered. Kate’s fingers pushed against her scalp. She closed her eyes and decided to enjoy having her hair washed.

“Your photos are amazing. How is the rest of your business going?”

“It’s working out fine. Better than fine.”

Sally’s voice echoed across the hair salon. “Molly’s taking the real estate photos for Emerald Lake, the subdivision Jacob’s selling.”

Kate rinsed Molly’s hair, then massaged conditioner into her scalp. “It’s a beautiful property. Dan and I had dinner with Jacob a couple of months ago. It must be difficult photographing everything.”

Molly thought about the list of images she needed. “Jacob has narrowed down the photos he wants me to take. It makes it easier when the person you’re working for knows what they want.”

A giggle erupted from the other side of the salon and Molly sighed. Stacey was happy about something and Molly knew it probably would have made a lovely photo.

Kate rinsed her hair. “You can sit up now and see what you’ve missed. Just don’t tell Loretta that I didn’t let the conditioner soak into your hair.”

Molly sat upright and looked around the salon. Loretta had pinned a circlet of white roses to Stacey’s hair. It looked beautiful. “I need to get a photo before Stacey destroys her flowers,” Molly said quietly to Kate.

Kate nodded. Stacey’s hands were already patting the pretty arrangement. “I think that’s a wise move,” she whispered back. “But be quick. Tess is watching us.”

Molly jumped out of the chair, picked up her camera, and took half a dozen photos in quick succession.

Before Tess could say anything, Molly was sitting in another chair waiting for Kate to blow-dry her hair.

“Slick move, O’Donaghue,” Tess said.

“I’ve had years of experience,” Molly said with a grin. She looked more closely at Tess. “Are you all right?”

Tess nodded. “I was just thinking about getting married. It’s a big step.”

The conversations around the salon fell into silence. “That it is,” Molly said carefully. “But when you find the right person, it can be the best step of your life.”

Tess nodded. “You’re right. I know Logan is the man for me. It’s just that sometimes I think about today and I get so nervous. I wonder if we’re doing the right thing.”

“I’m glad you didn’t elope,” Annie said with a smile from under a hairdryer. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t have had anywhere to wear our bridesmaids’ dresses.”

“And I’m glad you’re getting married,” Sally added. “You love each other. It’s a wonderful celebration of your new life together.”

Tess blew her nose and dabbed her eyes. “Thank you.”

Sally hugged Tess and handed her more tissues. “You might need to give me some positive reinforcement when I get married.”

“I’m being silly,” Tess said with a watery smile.

Molly shook her head. “There’s nothing silly about looking after your heart.”

Loretta walked behind Molly, fanning her flushed face. “I’m getting hot and bothered with all of the emotions swirling around the salon. I’ll make you a nice hot cup of coffee to wash away your pre-wedding blues, Tess.”

A truck stopped in front of Loretta’s salon. The UPS driver got out of the cab and opened the back doors. Stacey jumped off her seat and pointed at the window. “Look at the flowers.” Her hand pointed at the window.

Everyone stopped and stared at the bouquets of flowers in the driver’s hands.

Tess frowned. “Who do you think they’re for? We didn’t ask for the flowers to be brought here.”

The driver headed across the sidewalk to The Beauty Box’s front door. Loretta let him in. “Thank you, ma’am. Is there a Tess Williams here?”

Tess stepped forward. “That’s me.”

“Logan Allen said to deliver these to you at the salon.” He handed Tess the bouquets and took an iPhone out of his pocket. “Would you sign here?”

Tess put the flowers on the table and scribbled her signature on the electronic screen.

“I’ll be back in a minute, ma’am.”

“Are there more?” Sally asked.

The driver smiled. “You could say that.”

He walked outside and Tess took the card out of the first bouquet. She read the words, then wiped more tears from her eyes.

“Read it out loud,” Loretta said. “I don’t know if I can stand the suspense.”

Tess smiled. “It’s a lovely message. It’s from Holly, one of the brides we helped in The Bridesmaids Club. The message says,
I hope your marriage is as happy as ours. Lots of love, Holly.
” Tess passed the card to Sally.

“How sweet,” Sally said as Tess read the card in the second bouquet.

“These flowers are from Connie,” Tess said. “They’re both brides we’ve helped in The Bridesmaids Club.”

“Goodness,” Loretta sighed. “Look at all those flowers.”

Eight heads swiveled toward the sidewalk. The UPS man had another four bouquets in his hands.

Stacey jumped up and down. “They’re so pretty.”

Rachel opened the door for the delivery man. “It looks like a lot of the brides are sending their love and good wishes your way.”

“How did they know I was getting married today?” Tess asked. “We didn’t tell anyone except our wedding guests.”

Rachel sent Tess an apologetic smile. “That could have been me. I emailed all of the brides we’ve helped, thanking them for being part of The Bridesmaids Club. I told them you were getting married today.”

“I think we’re going to run out of room,” Kate said as the UPS man went back to his truck for more flowers.

Loretta stuck her hands on her hips and looked at the bouquets. “We need somewhere cool to store the flowers until you can take them home. We’ll ask the driver to put the next delivery of bouquets in our staffroom. Give Logan a call, Tess. Ask one of his groomsmen to come down here and take the flowers to where you want them to go.”

“I’ll do it,” Sally said from the window. “Everyone needs to go back to their chairs. We’ve got a wedding to get ready for.”

Molly put her camera in its bag and sat down in front of a mirror. When Tess had read the first card, she’d taken a photo of her face. She’d caught a moment of wonder, a deep sense of knowing that this was a day to remember. It would be a grand photo and one that would be treasured.

As she watched Kate take a hairdryer from a hook on the wall, Molly couldn’t help but feel blessed. She had friends who loved her, a sister who would be beside her no matter what, and a new career she enjoyed.

If she could just get the prickly man that was her new boss out of her mind, it would be a fine day indeed.

***

Jacob sat quietly at the back of Tess and Logan’s wedding reception, watching what was happening at the front of the room. But it wasn’t the bride and groom that held his attention, it was Molly. Apart from looking stunning in her deep red gown, she seemed as fidgety as a cat on a hot tin roof.

She’d eaten her meal with the rest of the wedding party, laughed and smiled with the other bridesmaids seated beside her. But as soon as the food had been cleared away and the speeches said, she’d been looking for something that wasn’t there.

And then he realized what was wrong. She didn’t have her camera with her.

Another photographer had taken photos during the wedding ceremony, and afterward, on the steps of the old brick church. The group shots had been carefully choreographed by Logan’s mom and sister. The list of photos in their hands had been impressive, but they’d managed to herd all of the guests into at least one shot in the shortest time frame he’d ever seen.

But now, with the first dance of the night fast approaching, Molly looked as though she was about to leave the table in search of her camera.

“It’s such a lovely wedding, isn’t it?”

Jacob looked down into Logan’s grandma’s cornflower blue eyes. Elizabeth Allen must have been at least ninety-years-old. She had a sharp mind and an even sharper sense of humor. Her favorite man of the moment was a miniature poodle called Basil. Basil, he’d been told, had been a perfect gentleman while he was being dressed this morning. And the biggest miracle was that his black doggie tuxedo was still attached to his small body.

Jacob smiled into Grandma Allen’s lovely face. “How is Basil holding out?”

Elizabeth patted Basil’s head and fed him another doggie treat from the bag beside her. “He has been so good. Charlie should be taking him for a walk outside soon.”

Elizabeth’s great-grandson had been following Elizabeth around for most of the day. The only thing stopping him from being here now were the ‘just married’ decorations being added to Logan’s sports car.

“Do you want me to take Basil outside?” Jacob asked.

“Would you?” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “The whole family thinks I’m slightly batty taking Basil everywhere, but he’s my best friend.”

Jacob looked down at the fluffy white poodle and smiled. “I’ll take care of him.”

Elizabeth pulled a blue leash with diamante sparkles out of her handbag and attached it to Basil’s neck. “Be a good boy.” She kissed Basil’s head and handed Jacob a small green bag. “He likes a little walk beforehand. If you find some grass it makes the cleanup so much easier.”

Jacob stuck the bag in his pocket, took the leash Elizabeth held out to him, and walked toward the main doors. Basil’s stubby little tail flicked in the air as his feet pranced toward freedom.

They’d just made it outside when Jacob’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He looked down at Basil. Basil looked up at him.

Finding somewhere for Basil to do his doggie business meant more than reading a text, so Jacob ignored his phone and found a secluded patch of grass. With Basil’s main business of the day taken care of, Jacob deposited the green bag in the trash and headed back toward the wedding reception.

His cell phone vibrated again. “Sorry, little guy. I’m going to read this one.”

Basil didn’t seem the least put out by their change of plans. He followed Jacob’s hand as it disappeared inside his pocket. His soft whimper when Jacob pulled his cell phone out instead of doggie treats, was almost funny.

Jacob looked down at his cell phone and frowned. Molly had texted him. Twice. He didn’t even know if she knew he was outside. He read both texts and smiled. She knew all right.

He texted her back, put his cell phone in his pocket, and walked into the hotel.

Molly was definitely having withdrawal symptoms. It was just a pity it was her camera she wanted and not him.

***

Molly looked around the dance floor. Jacob should have been back by now, but she still couldn’t see him.

Peter, the groomsman she was dancing with, had just finished telling her about his last assignment in Syria. He had worked with Logan for more than five years when they’d both been war correspondents.

“Have you ever been to Syria?” he asked.

Molly looked over Peter’s shoulder. “The closest I’ve ever been is Israel. Not many designers want to send their models to the Middle East.”

“I guess not,” Peter said. “How long have you lived in Montana?”

Molly caught a glimpse of a tall man with dark hair moving through the wedding guests. “Umm…about eighteen months.” She tried to concentrate on what Peter was saying, she really did. But all she was worried about was where Jacob could be.

The man on the other side of the room turned toward her and she sighed. It wasn’t Jacob.

When he’d left the ballroom, Jacob had Grandma Allen’s little dog with him. But it wouldn’t have taken long to walk Basil and bring him back. When she’d texted him, he’d said he was on his way inside. That was more than half an hour ago and she still couldn’t see him.

Peter spun her around and Molly saw Jacob sitting at a table not far from the dance floor. He was talking to a pretty blonde woman, totally engrossed in their conversation.

Molly stared at him, sent him telepathic messages to get his attention.

“Have you seen any rodeo’s while you’ve been here?” Peter asked.