Saturday dawned clear and beautiful. A billowing white tent festooned with flowers and greenery was visible beyond the terrace of the Big House as Lynn and Polly drove up the Morgans’ driveway. “Gonna be a perfect day for Robbie and Hope,” Polly said.
“It’s rarely not a perfect day around here,” Lynn said, parking next to one of the ranch trucks.
“Come in, come in,” Leonora Morgan said as she greeted them at the front door. “You ladies are truly our saviors. Carmela’s out back, and I’m letting her give all the directions. Even Aria is taking orders from Carm today,” she whispered, referring to Spark’s chef, Aria Firorelli.
Lynn and Polly headed out to the back terrace, now lined with chairs and decorated with flowers and greens. A beautiful arbor of woven branches had been erected at the far end, where the ceremony would take place.
“Good morning!” Carmela called. “Thanks for coming.” She quickly put them to work, and they moved about among a half-dozen ranch staff setting tables, filling coolers, and completing last-minute arrangements for tables and bars.
It was after noon when Leonora announced, “Lunch!” and brought out boxed lunches from the café in town. Everyone sat on the grass chatting as they enjoyed the welcome repast. Kyle and Harriet, who were staying at Spark’s, joined them, as did Rose and Sam Morgan, who were staying at her parents’ house. “We love Maryland,” Rose said to Polly and Lynn, “but wish we lived out here for the baby’s sake.”
“You’re not…?” Polly said.
“I am.” She beamed. “Three and a half months. We just told our parents last night.”
“Congratulations!” Lynn and Polly said in unison.
“Thanks,” Rose said. “Sam and I are pretty excited.”
“That we are,” he said, his arm circling his wife’s slender shoulders. “Now if we can find anywhere as awesome as the Cottage back east, we’ll be all set.” Dark haired with dark eyes like his brothers, Ben and Kyle, Sam was a taller, slender version of his siblings. Like his brother-in-law, Lang, Sam was a long-distance runner.
“Hey, guys,” Kyle said, plopping down.
“Where’ve you been, brother?” Sam asked. “We were looking for you earlier.”
“Went out to the farm to see my buddies,” Kyle said, grinning as he leaned back, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Lots going on out there,” Lynn said.
“Yup. The new horses are amazing. Now Uncle Dick’s tryin’ to start up a similar operation right near us, so it looks like I might end up as a resident vet at a thoroughbred farm after all.”
“Where’s Harriet?” Polly asked.
“She’s talking to Carm in the kitchen. She’ll be right out.”
“Everything okay?” Sam asked.
“Yeah. Gus Casey, remember him? Tom Jacobi’s assistant trainer? He’s got some people visiting and was tryin’ to beg out of the wedding when I saw him this morning.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Sam said.
“No worries, the gang’s all coming. You know Mom and Dad. The more the merrier. Harriet wanted to make sure Carm got the memo.”
People? Lynn thought. She knew his sister Laurie was expected, but hadn’t heard of anyone else coming. “So you convinced him to come and bring his friends?” she said, unable to contain her curiosity.
“Sure did. It’s his sister who was here before and some friend of hers. We always need more women at these things with all the cowboys.”
Rose smiled, winking at Lynn and Polly.
Later, as the two friends and colleagues drove home, Lynn said, “I have a bad feeling about this new development.”
“What development?” Polly said.
“The sister and her friend.”
“You remember Laurie? She was nice and great with the kids.”
“Yeah, she was fine, but I wasn’t dating her brother then.”
“Why would she care?”
“I dunno, I just have a feeling.”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry,” Polly sat, patting her knee. “Gus will make things work, I’m sure.”
Midafternoon, Lynn showered and dried her hair, applying makeup carefully. She had treated herself to a new dress for the wedding from Gabriela’s, a small boutique in town. It had cost almost a week’s salary, but as she slipped it on, she decided it was worth every penny. As Lynn was self-conscious about her weight, Gabriela had insisted that this style would be slimming, and she was right. Midnight blue, with tiny off-the-shoulder lacy capped sleeves and plunging lace-trimmed vee neck, the dress hugged every curve, its lacy hem falling to midcalf. The dressmaker had convinced her to purchase matching five-inch midnight-blue heels that showcased her shapely legs. She decided on a simple silver chain around her neck, delicate silver filigree earrings, and a few thin bracelets.
“Not half bad,” she said, twirling in front of the mirror. She had pulled her hair back in a French braid to showcase her long, slender neck. “Yes, not bad at all,” she added, smiling as she grabbed a matching shawl and clutch purse, also from Gabriela’s. Kevin and Polly had offered to pick her up, but she had decided to go on her own. Now she wished she’d taken them up on their offer, even if it meant riding with Jasper. Then she wouldn’t have to walk in alone.
As she drove up and parked, she breathed a sigh of relief spying her colleague, her handsome husband, and stepson just hopping out of his truck. They waved, then waited for her.
“Wow!” Polly said as she approached.
Kevin grinned. “She’s right, Lynn—wow! Wait’ll the cowboys get a load of you!”
Lynn smiled demurely. “Thanks, guys.” Now if one special guy is wowed, I’ll be happy.