Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
I wasn’t sure what the guys did all day, but Blair was on the phone with Griffin constantly, and between my brother and me, we did our best to reassure Blair that the wedding of her dreams was still possible, even if half the guests didn’t show.
We were on our way back to Cloverleigh Farms after lunch when she clutched my arm. “Oh my God, who’s going to walk me down the aisle? I can’t believe I didn’t think of that!”
“Don’t worry about a thing,” I said, patting her hand. “I have an idea.”
When we got back to the inn, I sent Blair up to her room to rest and headed for the lobby desk. It surprised me to see April there at reception.
“Hey,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
“Our regular desk manager had to stay home with her kids today—snow day, no school,” she explained. “I was already here, so I said I’d fill in this afternoon. How’s Blair holding up?”
“Okay. She’s disappointed her family won’t make it in, but what can you do?”
April nodded in understanding. “Always a risk with a winter wedding in Michigan.”
“I wondered if you might be able to help me,” I said. “Blair is worried about who will walk her down the aisle since her dad won’t be here, and I have an idea. Can you tell me if a certain guest has checked in yet?”
“Sure,” she said, moving over to her computer screen. “What’s the name?”
I gave her the name, and she shook her head.
“Not yet, but they haven’t canceled.”
“Okay, good. Can you let me know when they check in or if they cancel?”
She nodded. “Sure thing.”
“And don’t say anything to Blair, okay? I think it will be a nice surprise for her—something sweet.”
She winked at me. “You got it.”
The wedding party met up in the lobby at four, and together we all walked over to the winery, laughing as we slogged through the snow in jeans and boots, none of us wearing the dress clothes we’d packed for the occasion.
I walked with Blair and Frannie, but I was keenly aware of Cole’s presence behind us with the rest of the guys. Both Enzo and Beckett had made the drive safely, along with Enzo’s parents and Beckett’s dad, and we’d also seen lots of familiar faces from Bellamy Creek in the lobby checking in. Blair had cheered up immeasurably.
Inside the winery, we tasted wines poured by Frannie’s sister Sylvia and her husband Henry, snacked on charcuterie and cheese, and shook our heads at the apocalyptic way the snow continued to fall.
I probably—make that definitely—drank a little more wine than I should have, and I found myself pleasantly buzzed as we walked over to the wedding barn, where the rehearsal was taking place.
“Can you believe this weather?” Cole asked, falling in step beside me. “I haven’t seen this much snow in a long time.”
“Me neither. Where’s Mariah?”
“My mom is bringing her over.” He glanced at me. “Having fun?”
“Yes. Although I tasted too much wine.”
“Same here.”
“My head is spinning. Is my nose red?”
“No. You look perfect, Cheyenne.”
“Thanks.” I laughed. “This is not the outfit I planned on wearing, but given the blizzard, I decided against the sexy black dress and heels.”
“You were wearing that sweater the night we had dinner at DiFiore’s,” he said.
“Was I?” I slipped in the snow, and he caught me before I went down on my ass.
“Whoa. You okay?” he asked.
“Fine,” I said, recovering my balance and laughing a little. “You know how I love getting tipsy when it snows.”
He laughed too, keeping his grip on my arm. “Right. I walked you home that night so you wouldn’t fall.”
I giggled. “I fell years ago.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” Jiminy Cricket, did I say that out loud? We reached the door to the barn, which Griffin was holding open for everyone. “You know what? I just need a minute,” I told Cole. “Some fresh air before I go in.”
“I’ll wait out here with you,” he offered.
“No, that’s okay. You can go in and find Mariah. I’m sure she’s looking for you.”
“Mariah will be fine for a minute.” Cole nodded at Griffin to go in, and a moment later, we were alone.
Staying a good two feet away from him, I drew in deep breaths of icy air, willing it to defog my brain.
“Blair seems to be holding up okay,” he said. “Too bad about her family.”
“Yeah, but I have a surprise for her.” I smiled. “Charlie Frankel is going to walk her down the aisle. He should be here for rehearsal any minute.”
Cole grinned. “She’ll love that. Those two have always been close, haven’t they?”
I nodded. “He’s like her adopted grandpa. She adores him. Right before we went over to the winery, I got the news that he’d checked in, and I went to his room to ask him. He almost cried.”