Magical Weddings (37 page)

Raine English

Copyright © 2015 by:

Raine English

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any
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“Are you sure we’ll be able to pull this off?” Kya Reynolds leafed through the leather-bound book, annoyed that she had to select another wedding invitation. The original had been sent out six months ago, after she’d put the deposit down on Villa Dego. How could she have known the place would burn down less than three weeks before her wedding? She looked up and was met with a confident stare from Shelley Thornton, Connecticut’s top wedding planner.

“That’s why we have to order them today. I’ve had this company do rush jobs before and never had a problem. Or you can call all three hundred guests instead.”

Kya shook her head, thankful that Shelley had the patience of a saint. “Nope. I’ll take your word for it that everything’ll be okay.”

“It will be if you make up your mind and pick one. Maybe you should try Mark again. You really shouldn’t have to make all the decisions yourself.”

Kya nodded in agreement. “He said he’d make it this time. He must be on his way.”

Shelley didn’t need to say a word for Kya to read the skepticism on her face. She reached for her cell phone, but before she pressed a button, he’d sent her a text.

Sorry, darling. I can’t make it. I’m stuck at work.

What about Chateau St. Claire,
she typed back.
We’re supposed to go there next, remember?

You go. I don’t care where we get married, as long as we do. Talk to you later. Love you!

Kya set the phone down and stared blankly at the table. That was how it always was—Mark absent from the wedding plans. He’d promise to be there, then he’d send a text with one excuse or another for not showing up. Some women might love making all the decisions, but Kya wanted Mark to be part of the process. After all, it was his wedding too.

Shelley cleared her throat, bringing Kya back to reality. Kya closed her eyes, stuck her finger in the middle of the page, and then said, “Let’s go with this one.” When she opened her eyes, she saw that she’d selected an invitation with scalloped edges and a gold embossed script font.

“Great choice.” Shelley jotted down the order number, then closed the book. She tapped a heavily bejeweled finger against the face of her watch. “Remember, time is ticking. This week, be sure to choose the gifts for your wedding party.”

“I know. I will.” She gave Shelley a hug before leaving, then headed outside and was met by the blistering summer sun. August in Cedar Cove could be brutal, especially mid-afternoon. That was why they decided to have the ceremony in the morning. Any later, and it would be too hot to get married outside. Luckily, Chateau St. Claire overlooked the ocean, and the breeze off the water would help with the heat. Her mom had discovered the Chateau had a cancellation for the twenty-eighth, Kya’s scheduled wedding day, and they were willing to hold the day open until she had a chance to sign the contract this afternoon.

Barbara Reynolds came from old money and had tons of connections. Her grandfather had started Cedar Cove Savings and Loan, and although Kya’s dad was now president, it was her mom who ruled. Her charity events were legendary, and celebrities always made it a point to attend in the hopes of meeting up with some big-name producer or director. It was at one of those events that she’d met Mark. He was handsome enough to be an actor, but his talents lay behind the scenes. Mark was a brilliant cameraman. It had been love at first sight. Unfortunately, her family hadn’t been so entranced, especially her mom. She’d hoped Kya would fall for someone in finance who would carry on the family legacy, since Kya had no interest or talent for it herself. Her passion was for animals, and she was perfectly happy running Helping Hearts, the animal shelter she’d started five years ago. Thankfully, Barbara had resigned herself to Kya and Mark’s upcoming marriage and had done all she could to help plan the event.

As Kya walked toward her car, she reached into her handbag, pulled out a pair of sunglasses, and then slipped them on, blocking out the blinding rays. She wished she could as easily block out the hurt she felt from Mark’s disinterest in their wedding plans. For a brief moment, she wondered if her mom could be right about him not being the one for her, but she quickly pushed such a ridiculous thought from her mind. Of course Mark was right for her. But that little seed of doubt wouldn’t leave, no matter how hard she tried to push it away.

Not wanting to ruin such a gorgeous day with a depressing thought, she slipped into the driver’s seat of her Chevy convertible, started the engine, and turned on her favorite soft jazz radio station.

As she traveled the shoreline road, the music and the feel of the wind against her cheeks made her forget her annoyance with Mark. When the Chateau came into view, she sucked in her breath. She’d been there once before, but it was years ago, and she’d forgotten just how very splendid it was. With its copper roof and salmon-colored stucco walls, the mansion glistened under the midday sun like a giant seashell. As she drove down the long driveway passing fountains and statues, she knew this was the place she wanted to get married.

After parking the car, she quickly walked along the stone walkway, anxious to sign the contract. She opened one of the huge double doors and stepped into a magnificent foyer with high ceilings and a grand staircase that made the one from Tara in
Gone with the Wind
look small.

The sound of heels clicking over the marble floor caused her to turn to her right. An attractive young woman in a business suit rushed toward her with a clipboard in her hands. “You must be Miss Reynolds? I’m Helen Long.” She shifted the clipboard to her left hand, then reached out with her right to shake Kya’s hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kya. I haven’t been here in years. I knew it was beautiful, but I don’t remember it being quite this grand.”

Helen smiled, exposing a gap between her two front teeth. “That’s because it had a complete renovation last year.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

“Come with me. I’ll show you around.”

She followed Helen into a grand ballroom.

“Your mother told me you’d like to have your wedding outside, but in case of inclement weather, we can move everyone in here. It should be large enough to hold all your guests quite comfortably.”

Kya’s gaze scanned the exquisite room. “Oh yes. It’ll work just fine, if need be.”

“Good, then we’ll go upstairs. I understand you’re having a morning wedding and will be staying here the night before.”

“That’s right.” Kya’s fingers trailed over the intricately carved handrail, and she felt like a princess as she walked up the grand staircase.

At the top, Helen opened a door on the right. “This is where your bridesmaids will stay.”

Kya’s gaze flicked over the blush-colored walls and traditional furniture. “Lovely.”

“I’m sure they’ll be quite comfortable. Shall we move on?”

“Yes, please.”

Helen led the way down the long hall and stopped at the end to open the door to a suite. “And this is where you’ll stay.”

The room had a huge canopy bed covered with an elegant brocade spread and lots of gorgeous throw pillows. A curved archway led into a sitting room that over looked the gardens below. Kya followed Helen into it.

“So what do you think?” Helen asked.

“It’s perfect. Just like the rest of the Chateau.”

“The wing on the other side of the staircase is where the groom and his party will be staying. Would you like to see those rooms?”

Kya glanced out the window and couldn’t wait to go outside to see the spot where they’d say their vows. “That’s not necessary. I’m sure they’re fabulous. I’m anxious to look at the gardens.”

“I believe your mom mentioned that you’re using Shelley Thornton as your wedding planner.”

Apparently there was nothing Barbara left out. “Yes, that’s correct.”

Helen smiled. “I love working with her. She’s a peach. Come, I’ll show you where the ceremony will be held.”

Kya followed Helen downstairs, out some French doors, across a stone patio, and then out to the grounds where a beautiful gazebo overlooked the ocean.

“We’ll set up two rows of chairs over here for your guests with the aisle runner between them.” She pointed to the long expanse of lush green grass in front of the gazebo.

Kya sucked in a deep breath. “That’s exactly what I had in mind.”

“Wonderful. Well then, the only thing left is for you to sign right here. Your mother has already arranged payment.” Helen handed her a pen, and then held out the clipboard and pointed to the line marked with an X.

Kya quickly signed the contract, but it wasn’t until she was given her copy that it really sank in that in less than three weeks, she’d be married. She folded the paper in half and stuck it in her purse. “I’m so excited to be having my wedding here. Thank you for showing me around. Would you mind, though, if I take a few minutes to wander around alone a bit?”

Helen eyed her with understanding. “Yes, of course. It’s all a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?”

Kya nodded.

“Take your time. I’ll be inside if you need me. Otherwise, I’ll speak with you soon.”

As soon as Helen disappeared into the Chateau, that little nagging doubt began to bother her again. She probably had her mother to thank for that. Barbara had made no secret of the fact that she’d thought Mark was wrong for Kya and had only agreed to stop needling her when Kya threatened to run off with him and elope, eliminating the huge wedding her mother had always wanted to give her. Or maybe it was just that Kya was still annoyed with Mark because he wasn’t there with her to see the Chateau. Either way, she needed to chase her doubts away.

She’d always loved the ocean. Maybe a walk on the beach would help. She took her shoes off and carried them as she treaded along the water’s edge, loving the feel of the sand between her toes. As her stress began to subside, she attributed it to wedding jitters. Every bride had them, didn’t they?

Up ahead, she spotted a stone jetty. High tide hadn’t moved in yet. If she hurried, she could walk along it without getting wet. After stepping up onto one of the giant boulders, she was careful not to slip on the slimy algae that coated some of the rocks. Despite the breeze, it was still hot as anything with the sun beating down on her head, and she wished she’d thought to wear a hat. Oh well, she wouldn’t be out there that long anyway. Waves were already crashing over the end of the jetty.

She stopped about halfway out—it would be dangerous to go any farther—and admired the view, catching sight of the Thimble Islands. While standing there, she heard a whimper, or thought she did. She glanced around but saw nothing. Maybe the sun was making her delirious. A good indication it was time to go back. But when she turned around, she heard another whimper, and it had come from the rocks below. Careful to keep her footing, she peered down and saw a dog stranded on a ledge. The brindle-and-white pit bull terrier tried to bark when he saw her, but it was a pathetic attempt. The poor thing barely had any voice left.

No doubt the slippery rocks wouldn’t give him the support he needed to make the jump up. She glanced at the approaching waves. There was only a little time left before he’d be washed into the sea.

Without a second thought, she placed her sandals and her purse down on the jetty, and then carefully climbed down to where the dog sat. After determining the pit wasn’t going to bite her, she stroked the top of his head. “Let’s get you out of here.” But when she tried to pick him up, she discovered it wasn’t the algae that kept him from jumping. His front paw was wedged between two rocks.

Panic began to set in as the waves rose dangerously close. She had just a few minutes to free the dog, or not only would he drown, but her own life would be in jeopardy too. She gave his leg a slight tug. It didn’t budge. “Great. Now what?”

He stared at her with fearful brown eyes while the waves lapped at his tail. Kya was going to have to move one of those rocks in order to free the dog, so she got onto her knees and, with all her strength, pushed on the smaller of the two stones. Nothing. “Oh, come on,” she groaned. “If he got his paw in there, surely it’ll come out.” Spray from the waves hit her face. She said a quick prayer asking for help, then heaved her body against the rock. Miraculously, a moment later, the dog’s paw was free.

She hoisted him onto the jetty, then climbed up herself just as a giant wave smashed against the spot where they’d been standing. “Thank you, Lord.” Her hands shook when she realized how lucky they’d been. A second later, and they would have been under the waves.

Kya checked the dog’s paw and happily discovered it wasn’t broken. He didn’t even appear to be in any pain. Besides needing a drink, the pit looked to be in really good shape. However, he didn’t have any tags on his collar, and she doubted he had a microchip either. “Come on. Let’s get you some water and then see if I can find out who you belong to.”

****

Kya looked down at the wet, dirty dog next to her. There was no way he was going inside the Chateau. “You stay here.” He cocked his head to the side, then walked across the patio and stretched out under a table shaded by a large striped umbrella.

She opened one of the French doors, then stepped inside. “Hello! It’s Kya, I’m back.”

Helen emerged from a room across the foyer. Her round face wore a look of concern. “Is there something you’d like to change?”

Kya offered her a reassuring smile. “No, everything’s fine, but I found a dog out on the jetty, and he could really use a drink of water.”