Lib Novel Page 9
Watching Maggie pace back and forth, Chelsea stirred the sugar in her iced tea glass.
“Well, what do you expect? It is his only daughter who’s getting married. I am surprised, however, that he’d even think to do it. Men don’t usually know to do such things. Do you think Ciara advised him?”
Maggie sat across from Chelsea.
“I suppose it’s possible, but to be honest, Ciara isn’t that much savvier than Crawford is about weddings. Someone or something prompted him to do it. I’d hate to think that Becca was behind the whole thing.”
“Seriously, Maggie? You make it sound like there was some evil, secret conspiracy to ruin Beth’s wedding. It was a simple announcement in the paper about a local girl getting married. It wasn’t the hidden Sea Scrolls. How about I make you a glass of iced tea and you calm down?”
Maggie folded her arms across her chest and shrugged.
“Fine. Thanks.”
Maggie got up and walked out onto Chelsea’s lanai.
“Hey, are you painting with oils now? Whatever happened to your watercolors?” Maggie called out.
Chelsea handed Maggie the glass of iced tea. “Yeah, I wanted to try something new. Do you like it?”
Maggie nodded. “I do. What’s not to love about a Captiva Island landscape painted by the most talented artist on the island?”
“Thanks, Maggie. You’re very kind, but I think it’s not my best work. It keeps me busy though. So, what’s left to do for the wedding?”
Maggie sighed. “The brides have told me that the invitations have all gone out. Fortunately, I’m the RSVP on them, so I’ll be the one receiving envelopes in the mail soon.”
“How many people have been invited?” Chelsea asked.
“Fortunately, both girls have kept the invites to a minimum. Given that it’s a destination wedding, they figure many won’t be able to attend. I don’t know how they agreed to it, but both Becca and Beth decided to invite one hundred people each. They figure about one-twenty total will show. We’ll see.”
“The Southern Seas agreed to hold rooms and the Marriott, of course, will hold a bunch for us at a reduced rate. I’m only having family at the inn.”
“Lauren and I talked about her family staying with me, and your mother as well. I don’t think I can accommodate more than that at my house,” Chelsea said.
“Thanks, Chelsea. That will help a bit, especially my mother staying with you. I love her dearly, but when she is underfoot, she sometimes creates more stress for me. I think it’s because she’s so judgmental about everything. I don’t need the extra anxiety. I’ll already have two brides to take care of, and that’s all the drama I can handle.”
“Have you found a dress for the wedding yet?” Chelsea asked.
“No, have you?”
“Nope and I think you and I should have a shopping day soon.”
“I’d love that. Maybe we can pull Sarah away from home for the day. She needs a break from the kids. Trevor is a great father but he needs to give Sarah more time to get away and have fun.”
“Sounds like a plan. In the meantime, what are you going to do about Crawford?”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure. He’s been really great about everything so far, I’m surprised that he’s singling Becca out and making the day all about her. It’s not like him to be so petty. Something doesn’t make sense.”
“You’re going to have to have a talk with him. The last thing you want are hurt feelings over this.”
“Whose hurt feelings are you talking about…his or mine?”
Chelsea laughed. “Does it matter?”
Maggie smiled. “Good point.”
* * *
Becca slammed her laptop shut and sat back against the kitchen chair. She’d spent the morning studying for upcoming exams but needed a break. She never expected when she checked Captiva’s news and weather online to see her face front and center on the town’s website.