Ready to Wed (9 page)

“And you, Belle?”

“Oh, that’s so sweet, you even remember my name.” Belle smiled. “You know what, Hope, I would love to give you a free facial. What do you think?”

“You think I need a facial?” Hope looked distressed. She automatically patted her dark hair, as if to improve her appearance. Hope cared a great deal about her looks, and Alice hoped she wasn’t insulted by Belle’s offer.

“She’s an Angel Face beauty consultant,” explained Alice. “She gave my sisters and me facials last night.” She purposely didn’t mention Ethel.

“Really?” Hope looked interested. “Sure, I’d like that, Belle.”

Belle slipped a pink business card to Hope. “Invite a couple of your friends, if you like. It’s more fun with a few girls to giggle with.”

“That sounds like fun. Now, what kind of pie would you like?”

“Oh my … let me think. How about coconut cream? Do you have that?”

“We do.”

“Yummy. And a cup of coffee, with cream, please.”

“Coming right up.”

Alice noticed Lloyd Tynan coming through the door. He must’ve been feeling positive about the weather when he dressed this morning, because he looked ready for some May sunshine in his pale blue seersucker suit and jaunty red silk bow tie. Lloyd spoke briefly with Fred Humbert, then waved toward Alice and Belle, making Alice suspect that Ethel had already spoken to him, just as Jane had promised.

“Good day, ladies.” He wore his mayoral smile as he approached them. “This must be Miss Belle Bannister.” He extended his hand. “I am Lloyd Tynan.”

“Oh my,” said Belle as she put her hand into his. “I just can’t believe that people already know my name. Goodness, I feel almost famous. It’s a genuine pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tynan. But how did you know me?”

“My good friend Ethel Buckley told me about the inn’s most recent guest. I merely assumed it was you.”

Belle looked nervous as she lowered her voice. “And how is dear Ethel doing?”

“A bit under the weather, I’m afraid.” He frowned. “Apparently she had an allergic reaction to something yesterday.” He looked at Alice. “I understand she had dinner with you folks.”

Alice suppressed the urge to set her aunt’s beau straight.

“Oh, I’m sure it wasn’t anything she ate last night,” said Belle quickly. “Jane’s cooking is perfectly exquisite.”

Lloyd smiled at Belle. “Well, as the mayor of Acorn Hill, I officially welcome you to our fair town.”

“Why, thank you ever so much, Mayor Tynan.”

“Call me Lloyd,” he said amicably.

“Would you like to join us, Lloyd?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” He slipped in next to Alice, keeping his eyes on Belle. “I understand that you’re a Southern belle, Belle.”

She giggled. “That’s right, sir. Born and raised in Georgia. I’d guess I’m about as southern as they come.”

Hope came over with their order. “Anything besides coffee for you, Lloyd?”

He looked at Belle’s pie and actually smacked his lips. “Is that coconut-cream pie?”

Belle nodded. “It looks yummy, doesn’t it?”

“I’ll have a slice of that too, Hope,” he said.

“Are you sure?” queried Hope.

“Well, make it a small slice,” he said. Then he gave Alice a warning glance. “And you don’t need to tell anyone that I cheated on my diet today.”

She laughed as she remembered how many times he’d sneaked sweets from Jane’s kitchen. “Goodness, Lloyd, if
I’d wanted to tattle on you, I could have done so many times over.”

“Yes, I suppose that’s true. But just so you know, I had oatmeal with skim milk for breakfast this morning.”

“Good for you,” said Alice.

Lloyd, as usual, dominated the conversation, directing most of it toward Belle. But Alice was relieved for this reprieve. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy Belle’s company, but the idea of the impending wedding was beginning to wear on her.

“I’m pleased to hear you like our town,” he said to Belle, “but what about our bachelors? Anyone out there that looks like marriage material?”

Belle waved her hand at Lloyd, feigning, it seemed to Alice, embarrassment. “Well, I’ve only met a few, mind you, but from what I’ve seen there are some good prospects out there.”

“You know that our mayor is single too?” asked Alice, then instantly regretted her words. She knew that Ethel considered Lloyd off-limits.

“Why, I can’t imagine what’s wrong with the good women of Acorn Hill to let a fine specimen of a man like you slip through the matrimonial net.”

He chuckled. “It’s not for lack of trying, my dear.”

Alice had expected him to mention her aunt as part of
the reason he was still unmarried. And to her surprise, she felt defensive that he had not.

“Then tell me, Lloyd,” said Belle as she fluttered her long eyelashes, “what exactly is it that keeps a good man like you from surrendering to matrimonial bliss?”

“Are you asking out of your own personal interest?” Lloyd cocked his head to one side, using what seemed an almost flirtatious tone. “Or are you simply collecting information to use against a particular male who may be resistant to your obvious charms?”

She waved her hand at him again. “Oh, you are so terribly sweet. I’ll bet sugar doesn’t even melt in your mouth.”

He chuckled. “Well, I suppose if the truth be told—I mean if I were to address the primary reason that I seem unable to surrender to matrimony—it would be that I simply enjoy being a bachelor.”

“But don’t you get lonely sometimes?” She leaned forward.

“As mayor, I have a rather full life, Belle. I’m included in the major social functions, and I get invited to dinner a lot. I don’t really have time to be lonely.”

“Lloyd is a very social person,” said Alice.

“But what about on a cold winter’s evening?” persisted Belle. “When you’re home alone, don’t you just crave someone warm to cuddle up to?”

Lloyd looked as embarrassed as Alice felt by this rather personal question. He seemed relieved when Hope set a piece of pie before him. “My, my, but doesn’t this look good.”

“This may be a challenge for you,” warned Hope. “I would’ve given you a smaller piece, but June had already cut up the pie.”

Lloyd sunk his fork into the fluffy confection. “Thank you, Hope.”

“Did you hear that the church basement suffered some water damage?” Alice attempted to redirect a conversation to a safer topic.

“No,” said Lloyd. “Is it serious?”

She explained what little she knew of the situation to him, then turned to Belle. “Lloyd is on the church board of Grace Chapel.”

“Oh,” said Belle. “I had the pleasure of meeting Rev. Thompson this morning.” She sighed. “He seems like a wonderful person.”

“He’s a very good man,” said Lloyd. Then he glanced at Alice with a questioning look. “And he’s also a bachelor.” The last word came out very slowly.

“Yes,” said Belle. “I know.”

“Aha,” Lloyd nodded knowingly. “Our good pastor is a viable candidate then?”

Belle tipped her head down and smiled shyly. “Well,
God did send me that dream, Lloyd. I simply cannot rule out anyone just yet.”

“Not even an old mayor?” teased Lloyd as he straightened his bow tie.

“Not even a charming mayor.”

Alice had a strong urge to point out that Lloyd was almost old enough to be Belle’s grandfather, but she stopped herself. Alice felt certain that Lloyd could never seriously fall for Belle’s Southern allure. Although it was interesting: Belle in some ways reminded Alice of Ethel. They were both short and plump. They both enjoyed playing up their feminine charms. But, to be perfectly fair, Belle was softer around the edges than their occasionally sharp-tongued and somewhat bossy aunt. Still, it seemed preposterous to think that Lloyd would be seriously interested. No, Alice was convinced that she was simply witnessing some good-natured, harmless flirting.

She glanced out the window to see that the sun was still shining. “I’ve given Belle a partial tour of town, Lloyd, but with this wonderful change of weather, I wonder if I shouldn’t check in at the inn. It’s possible that Louise has booked guests.” Even as she said this, Alice felt it was probably unlikely. “I probably should get back to help out.”

“I have heard that the nasty weather is supposed to be
over for now.” Lloyd nodded toward Belle. “Maybe Belle brought this good weather with her from the South.”

Belle giggled. “Well, I must admit it was lovely down there when I left.”

Alice set down her fork, acting as if she’d just come up with a good solution. “I have an idea. Perhaps you could finish showing Belle around town, Lloyd. If you’re not too busy, I mean.”

“I’d be pleased to,” said Lloyd. “That is, if Belle doesn’t mind.”

“Mind?” She shook her head. “Of course not. I would be honored to have the mayor as an escort.”

“Ethel mentioned some people I might introduce you to,” said Lloyd.

“And don’t forget to stop by Time for Tea,” said Alice. “Wilhelm is mixing a special tea for her.”

“Oh yes,” said Belle. “That’s right. He was such a sweet man. I can’t wait to try what he’s put together.”

“Thanks for the pie, Belle,” said Alice, waiting for Lloyd to stand up so she could get out of the booth. “Now, if you two will excuse me, I’ll head back to the inn and see if business is brightening up with the weather.”

“That reminds me,” said Belle. “I completely forgot to ask Louise if she would reserve another room for me, for the first weekend of June and perhaps a couple of days
prior to that, starting on Wednesday to Sunday or even Monday.”

“A room for yourself?” asked Alice, confused.

“No, I already asked Louise to reserve my room until that weekend.” She turned to Lloyd. “Oh, I’m staying in the most beautiful room. It’s called the Symphony Room, with rose wallpaper that’s simply lovely.”

“Louise picked out that wallpaper,” said Alice.

“I want to reserve the second room for my parents,” said Belle. “After all, I wouldn’t want them to miss my big day.”

“Your big day?” asked Lloyd.

“Oh yes,” said Belle. “Perhaps Ethel didn’t tell you, but my dream came with a date for my wedding. I’m to be married on the first Saturday of June.”

“Really?” Lloyd slowly shook his head. “That seems hasty, Belle. Especially considering that you haven’t got a specific man lined up just yet.”

Alice patted Lloyd on the back and grinned. “I guess that’s where you come in, Lloyd. While you’re touring the town, you’ll have to make sure that Belle continues to meet Acorn Hill’s most available bachelors.”

Lloyd looked uncertain.

“Oh my,” Lloyd nervously adjusted his bow tie, which was already straight.

“I better get on my way,” said Alice as she left Lloyd and Belle. She waved from the door. “You have a nice day.”

“Bye, Alice,” called Hope. “Enjoy the sunshine.”

“I will,” said Alice as she exited the Coffee Shop. She paused on the sidewalk to take in a long, deep breath of fresh air. As she hurried back to the inn, she felt like a kid who’d just gotten an early release from school. She just hoped that Ethel wouldn’t mind her foisting Belle onto Lloyd like that. But Jane had foisted Belle onto Alice. Besides, Ethel had asked Lloyd to help.

By the time Alice reached home, she decided to check on her aunt before going to the inn. Perhaps Ethel needed more medical attention. But to her surprise, Jane was at her aunt’s house—probably salving her guilt for having assigned Alice to Belle’s tour. She had brought over some leftovers from last night’s dinner for their aunt’s lunch.

“How are you feeling, Auntie?” asked Alice, seeing that her aunt’s face was still quite puffy and red.

“Better, I suppose,” said Ethel as Jane set a cup of tea next to her, “but I’m afraid I don’t look much better.”

“Well, it looks like you’ve had a serious allergic reaction.” Alice bent down to examine the raised hives more closely. “Something this severe might take several days to clear up completely.”

“Poor Auntie,” said Jane, sitting down on the couch beside Ethel and rearranging the pale peach afghan that covered her aunt’s legs.

“Is there anything I can get for you?” offered Alice.

“I only want to know how our Belle is getting along.”

“Just fine.”

“I would so enjoy showing her around town,” said Ethel. “But not looking like this, of course. I do hope that Belle finds her man. I think it would be such fun to have a wedding and see her happily settled in Acorn Hill. Belle even told me that I might be one of her bridesmaids.” She chuckled. “Imagine me, a bridesmaid.”

Alice tried
not
to imagine it. At least not with her aunt looking like she did at the moment.

“Tea, Alice?” offered Jane.

“No, thanks. I just had pie and tea with Belle.” She turned back to her aunt. “In fact, Lloyd joined us at the Coffee Shop.”

“Oh, good for him. I asked him to help out. Did he seem to mind terribly?”

“Not at all. In fact, I even coerced him into finishing Belle’s tour for me. I thought I might be of more use back at the inn. With this sudden change in weather, I’m hoping that Louise might be getting some bookings. Or perhaps some of the cancellations will reconsider now.”

“Yes,” agreed Jane. “That does seem likely. By the way, Alice, thanks for covering for me. I owe you one.”

Alice chuckled. “Yes, we’ll discuss that later.”

“I have no worries that Lloyd will do a good job of introducing Belle about,” said Ethel. “No one knows Acorn Hill as well as my Lloyd.”

“Except for you, Auntie.” Alice stood. She felt more tired than if she’d spent a whole day at the hospital. “Since all seems well over here, I think I’ll head back to the inn.”

Alice paused to look at Jane’s garden before going into the inn and remembered the letter that had come for Jane the day before. Perhaps if Jane really did feel she owed Alice a favor, she might be willing to explain what Justin’s letter was about.

Chapter Eight