The week flew by way too fast for Eliza. Before her breakup with James, they would do setup together, both of them in headsets, organizing the crews of caterers, chair and table deliveries, florists, and the like with precision coordination. Six months later, she was still trying to find her own rhythm and keep eyes on everything at once, especially since her last full-time employee, Kellie, had left two months earlier—another sneaky underhanded hire by James.
She had schematics, detailed times of when each group was supposed to arrive, and timers and reminders set accordingly, as well as plans for holding areas while setting up.
But like most scheduled things, someone was inevitably late due to traffic or loading or employee issues. And then there was the fact Eliza had yet to find a replacement for either her assistant or assembly/setup help. Three people she'd used in the past had answered her calls but weren't able to help, and two others had simply not responded.
Ah, the joys of owning her own business.
"Eliza? These guys need to know where to go," one of the florist's assistants said as she walked by.
Eliza turned and spotted the very large instruments. Crap. Just when she'd thought she had a handle on things. How could she have forgotten about the cello players?
Her gaze shifted to the chairs being set up, all of which would have to be shifted because the bride had specifically asked for them to be placed just to the right of where the ceremony would take place. "Stay cool and hydrated inside for now," she said with a smile. "Then up front exactly forty minutes before the ceremony so you're seated and playing at thirty."
Both men nodded and hefted their instrument cases to return to the interior of the hotel while Eliza bolted for the sand. She needed to catch the chair delivery guys before they— "No, no, no," she said, searching for them and not seeing any of the black-shirted employees.
Really? Really? They hadn't even hung around to check out the girls by the pool?
She stashed her binder on the first seat of the first row and got to work. Thankfully there were only fifty chairs. She could do this.
Two rows in, she heard someone calling her name and looked up to find Carter, Lincoln, and Mac heading her way. What on earth? "What are you doing here? Are you guests?"
The trio grinned. Well, two of the three. Mac looked a little disgruntled.
"Nah. We came for Linc's bachelor party but saw you rearranging things. Need a hand?" Carter asked.
Eliza blinked at them, and before she could agree or disagree, the three men went to work shifting the white chairs several feet away from their present position, matching her placement pattern.
"Haven't been able to hire new help, huh?" Carter asked softly as he worked beside her.
"I interviewed someone but they didn't work out. Par for the course these days."
"Well, we'll be here all day and tonight if you need us to pitch in on something else," Carter said.
She paused so she could meet his gaze. "What about Piper?"
"She's with Amelia tonight. They're having a sleepover."
Eliza didn't have time for the relief that flooded her system. She prided herself on doing a good job and providing the beautiful weddings she promised her clients, but when everything seemed to be working against her, she knew better than to turn down help, even if she'd rather not need it.
"Eliza, what about these?" Mac asked.
She turned and found Mac and Lincoln standing on the other side of the aisle. "Same distance that way," she said, pointing. "Have to showcase the cellists because they're friends of the bride."
With four people shifting chairs, the process didn't take long. "I can't thank you enough," she said to the men now standing there looking at her, each of them wearing a sheen of sweat due to the end-of-August heat.
"It's no problem," Carter said softly. "We each own our businesses, and we know what it's like when you're short manpower."
"Well, it's appreciated, gentlemen. I'll be sure to send a round of drinks on me tonight. For now, I have to get back to work."
"Text me if you need anything else and we'll come back out," Carter said.
Eliza happened to be looking Mac's way and noted how her best friend's older brother glanced at Carter before sliding his gaze back onto her.
Eliza took the look to be one of protectiveness, but considering her state of disinterest in men presently, the effort was wasted.
"Yeah, we'll be around," Mac added dryly.
Lincoln and Mac murmured their goodbyes and began heading toward the hotel. Eliza walked to the front to retrieve her binder. She held it to her chest and turned only to run into Carter. "Oh!"
His hands fastened on to her elbows.
"Easy there."
"I thought you'd gone. With them," she said with a tilt of her head.
"Have you eaten today?"
What was it with him and food? "I had breakfast."
"It's five o'clock, Eliza."
Already? Guests would start arriving any minute.
She shook her head and took a step back. "And I have too many things to do. I'll eat later." Her gaze landed on the florist, who'd arrived forty-five minutes late. "I have to go, Carter. Thanks for the help. Again."
She slipped by him and hurried to meet the woman carrying half of a pre-made floral arch.
This wedding was much smaller than the ones last weekend, but the bride had gone a little crazy with her flower requests.
Once the arch was in place, white columns were carried across the sand and still more flowers placed atop them as well as along the two ends of the arches. Creamy nautical rope was strung along both sides of the aisle and attached to the sides of the chairs, then decorated with eucalyptus sprays, ribbons, and seashells.
The clock ticked as things fell together with frantic intensity. Guests began arriving but lingered back toward the shade provided by the hotel. Once the sun sank lower, more of the seating was shaded and guests began to move forward.
Eliza checked her charts and lists and finally felt comfortable enough to leave the beach to venture inside to the bridal suite. She liked to check on her Bs and Gs beforehand, just to get a feel for the mood of the day.
As she passed through the lobby, Eliza glanced toward the bar area and saw Mac, Carter, and Lincoln sitting at a high-top. As though sensing her presence, Carter's gaze locked with hers and her stomach did an odd flip.
Lah, the man really needed to come with a hazard warning.
She managed a smile and kept moving, her mind on the thoughtfulness of the trio of bachelors who'd come to her rescue. One in particular.
Maybe it was the way he'd helped out his brother or offered to trade shelving for a birthday party for his baby girl, but she was beginning to observe a different side of the gorgeous contractor.
But, that being said, Carter had seemingly taken her warning and backed off, and she was grateful for that.
Wasn't she?