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"You don't seriously expect me to tell Harry he has to pony up fifteen grand for a down payment, do you?" Matt asked.
"That's exactly what I expect you to do. Tell Harry if he can get postal money orders that's even better. It will cost more, but if we can prove fraud it means possible federal charges. Hurry up! This baby's growing by the minute, and I need to find my dress!"
"Wouldn't it just be easier if he gave Ashley the money, instead of Daisy?"
"Maybe, but it won't solve the problem- Daisy! Harry knows what he's getting into, so quit griping before Daisy pulls out the binoculars to read your arguing lips," she told him.
"Let her read this," Matt said. He pulled her tight, then blew out her ponytail with a smoking hot kiss. When he released her, he said, "I think Daisy's looking out the window."
"She's probably ready to call the police... or take a cold shower. Are you sure you haven't done this before?" Sady asked breathlessly.
He brushed his lips over hers once more before he shook his head. "I've never been engaged, Sassafras. But I'm looking forward to our engagement," he teased, as he got into his truck. "Go have fun shopping." He smiled as he watched Sady bounce into Daisy's office, pretending to be a love-struck bride-to-be.
When Matt got back to the office Amanda pounced as he knocked on Harry's door. "Do you need my help yet?" she asked. "The maid of honor always gets to help the bride pick out her wedding stuff," she told him.
"No one's picking out anything until Daisy gets her deposit," Matt told Harry.
"What's the damage?" Harry asked. His eye twitched when Matt told him the amount of the deposit.
Amanda snorted. "I can see neither of you have a clue about how much weddings cost. That's peanuts, Harry, especially since you're not paying for the whole thing. When my sister got married, she paid $5000 for her dress. I won't tell you what the flowers, catering, and honeymoon cost. Not to mention the reception hall, the cake, the invitations, the rehearsal dinner..."
Harry held up his hand. "I get the picture, Amanda. Thanks for setting us straight. Text Sady and tell her it will take a bit. I have to go to the bank. Come on, Matt."
Sady was drinking a bottle of mineral water when she got Amanda's text. "It's my maid of honor checking on me. I told her she can't help me spend money until Matt gets back with the check. But I already have my dress picked out!"
"Oh, let me see, dear," Daisy oozed. When she saw the price tag, she gushed even more. "Let me just call my dress shop and see if they can't get one here for you to try."
Daisy waited until Matt was back with the deposit before she got back to Sady. "Good news... oh! You're back so soon, Matt? What's this?" she asked when he handed her the money orders.
"I couldn't find the checkbook at Uncle Harry's, so I withdrew the money from savings and got money orders. I hope that's not a problem?" he asked Daisy.
With a frozen smile she said, "No, of course not. But you could have got a cashier's check from your bank instead."
Matt bumped his palm to his forehead, and Daisy relaxed. "I was just telling Sady the good news. My supplier can get the dress she likes in for her to try for a fitting. Isn't that exciting?"
"Wonderful," Matt agreed. "Which one did you pick?"
Sady waved him to the computer and pointed. Then she frowned at Daisy. "Am I allowed to wear white in my condition? I saw this other dress, not as nice, but it wasn't white. Maybe I should go with that one instead."
"Nonsense! If you like the white dress, then that's what you should buy," Daisy encouraged. "After all, a girl only gets married... uh, I'll be right back."
Matt leaned over the computer, took a picture of the dress she picked, and asked, "Which other dress did you have in mind?" Sady pointed to the cheapest non-white dress available.
"Just in case," she whispered. "She couldn't resist the lure of that pricey white one."
"Why didn't you go with the most expensive white one?" he asked.
"Because it's ugly. Give me credit for having some taste," she said. "I wouldn't be buried in that thing!"
Daisy bustled back with the contract and a receipt book. She made them sign the contract, then she gave them a receipt for their down payment. Matt distracted Daisy before she could give them a copy of the contract. Sady grabbed the contract, with a grin at Matt. Even heartless gold diggers like Daisy weren't immune to handsome guys with smoking blue eyes. Sady used her phone to take a picture, then slid the contract across Daisy's desk and sat back.
Daisy returned to her desk, flushed. "Well," she said, handing them a copy of the paperwork, "it's been a busy day, but you've already accomplished so much. I've never had a bride pick a dress so quickly."
"I've dreamed about my dress since I was ten," Sady said. "As soon as I saw it I knew that was the one!"
Daisy handed them brochures and said, "Look through these. They're sample invitations. After we get that out of the way, then we can move along to the reception, flowers, catering, and so forth."
Sady enveloped Daisy with a huge hug. Daisy smiled as they left. Sady paused in the parking lot and told Matt, "Listen. I hear the sound of Daisy's money machine... cha-ching!"
"I think that was Harry's heart hitting the floor when he heard the cost," Matt teased.
At the office Matt sent the pictures he had taken at Daisy's to the printer. Sady went to her office to look over information for her gun permit. Matt knocked and poked his head through the doorway.
"You've met the range requirements, Sady. Harry has you signed up for the class time at the range later this week. Other than what you'll cover in class, you won't have to handle a gun."
"Thanks," she said with a smile that reached her warm brown eyes. Matt stared for a few seconds, unable to help himself. He could get lost in those eyes if he wasn't careful. Sady tossed aside the gun safety information with a yawn.
"Have you decided on invitations?" he asked.
"Yes. Daisy's printer will have to eat it, because I'm not ordering something that can't be returned. I think Amanda's doing special invitations as her wedding gift to us. How does that sound?"
"Does Amanda know this?"
"Does it matter?" she replied. "Amanda will go along with anything, trust me."
"You didn't even need to tell me that," he said insultingly.
"Just for that I'm tempted to uninvite you to my dinner party," Amanda said from the hall.
"Consider the uninvitation accepted," he told her.
"Too late. I already have the place settings arranged. Sorry, Stubbles, but there's no room for what's her name. No, I'm not sorry- that was a lie. She's just not invited. This is a special dinner for Harry's mom."
Sady coughed. "Will Harry and CJ be there? You aren't using your good china, are you?"
"You'll have to come and see Thursday evening," Amanda said.
"A mystery dinner with warring guests. That sounds fun," Matt said sarcastically.
Amanda buffed her nails on her blouse. "Not just dinner. Come for the show, Stubbles."
Matt turned to Sady, "Do you know anything about that?"
Sady shook her head and said, "No, but I'm not missing it. Can I bring anything, Amanda?" Amanda stared at Matt. When he didn't leave she waved her hand, shooing him out of Sady's office, then she whispered in Sady's ear. Matt looked suspicious when he saw Sady shake with silent laughter as she nodded. She caught Matt's look and used the same 'move along' wave as Amanda.
"Sorry, I won't be able to help you plan your wedding on Thursday," Amanda told Sady as she left. "I have the afternoon off."
"You just started! How do you qualify for time off?" Matt asked her.
"It's my gift to Harry and CJ," Amanda replied.
"Why don't you make it one of those gifts that keeps giving and not come back at all?" Matt suggested.
"I changed my mind," Amanda announced. "What's-her-name is invited, after all. Dinner's at seven. Dress semi-formal and don't be late."
Matt gave Sady a confused look. She smiled and shrugged. Amanda came back with, "Find a dog sitter, or a kennel, or a freezer, because if she shows up with that dog I'm putting it on the menu. Oh, and you get to pick up Momma Knight because I don't think Harry should have to be in a vehicle with her and CJ."
"Anything else?" Matt asked with a glare.
"No, but I'll be sure to let you know."