Orange Blossom Brides

by Tara Randel

  She hadn’t slept well last night, having visions of the gruff adult Max melding with the rebellious teen from that night on the beach. The same man, yet so different now.

  No matter how much she wanted to deny it, she had Max Sanders on the brain. With his alluring five-o’clock shadow and smoky eyes, he’d taken up residence in her mind ever since she’d walked into his messy office with the piles of boxes, names of women on his calendar and his emphatic refusal to volunteer for the benefit.

  The benefit. Right. She could do this while juggling her real job. Prepared and competent. The fearless leader of the ladies waiting inside.

  This morning she’d taken more than a few minutes to throw an outfit together. She’d chosen a hot-pink pullover, white cropped pants and low-heeled sparkly sandals. Applying her makeup hadn’t been a five-minute job. She’d taken her time with the cosmetics and styled her hair in a breezy, flowing style. Image was everything with these women. She’d opted for the country club look, and from what she’d seen reflected in the mirror, she’d succeeded.

  Until her ruined wedding rehearsal flashed through her mind and her heart started racing. She hesitated on the brick walkway to catch her breath, staring out over the golf course. The morning haze was burning off as the day grew warm. Lingering humidity dampened her skin and the hum of a golf cart zooming by roused her from her sinking mood. Straightening her shoulders, she marched through the etched glass front door, right into the location of her wedding nightmare.

  Instead of going directly to the meeting room, she made a detour to the restroom for a last-minute check on her makeup. She’d looked fine when she left the apartment, but she couldn’t chance any visible flaw or these women would pounce.

  Effectively procrastinating with her side trip, she found her makeup in the same shape as when she’d left her apartment. No more excuses. Bite the bullet and get to the meeting. Glancing at her watch she saw she had about five minutes to spare.

  Enough. Just do this.

  On her way to the meeting room she passed the main event room where the benefit would be held. The same room as the rehearsal dinner. As if pushed by an invisible force, Lilli found herself entering the dim room. Scattered tables and a few chairs littered the space. The back wall of floor-to-ceiling windows was flanked by thick drapes, showcasing a beautiful view of the golf course.

  A chill ran over her as she drifted back to that night....

  Lilli had beamed in delight as the dreamy, romantic images of the slideshow flashed on the overhead screen. Images of her with Rob appeared in a collage set to the theme song from the movie Titanic. Overlapping photos featured their childhood then moved into the year they dated. Teary-eyed with happiness, Lilli had taken Rob’s hand in hers, resting her head on his shoulder. The most perfect ending to their rehearsal dinner, to be followed by the most perfect fairy-tale wedding the next day.

  “Lilli, we have to talk,” Rob had whispered urgently in her ear.

  She’d squeezed his hand with excitement. “Just another minute. Mom went to so much trouble to put this beautiful tribute together. We have a lifetime to talk after all the celebrating.”

  “But, Lilli, I’ve been trying to talk to you all night, please—” Rob had begun until Lilli hugged herself closer to him. She’d breathed in the scent of his musky cologne. The fine fabric of his suit brushed against her cheek. The months spent planning this wedding were finally proving worthwhile as the inevitable drama receded into relief, then celebration. After tomorrow, she and Rob would enjoy their new lives together without bickering over every little life decision.

  “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Celeste had recited Shakespeare’s famous sonnet after the music stopped. The words to the romantic poem appeared on the screen while her mother spoke into the microphone she’d been holding.

  Rob had stirred beside her. “Lilli, please.”

  She pulled back, frowning. “Can’t it wait?”

  Rob had responded with a sigh and sat, rigid. He’d been preoccupied and moody all week, blaming his behavior on wedding stress. What with the year-long planning and his recent job promotion at the law firm, she couldn’t blame him. She’d been caught up in the whirlwind herself. In fact, they hadn’t talked in weeks. Wasn’t that to be expected when emotions ran high as the big day drew closer?

  “Okay, Lilli. I’ll let you have your moment,” he’d muttered.

  He’d let go of her hand to sip his iced tea just as the opening strains of “Spring” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons began. Lilli turned her attention back to the screen. Her heart swelled at the picture—the two of them at the beach, arm in arm, silhouetted against a dramatic apricot-hued sunset.

  Images of wedding gowns, roses and chocolates had appeared on the screen, leading to the grand finale of the presentation. Lilli turned back to Rob, startled that he’d disappeared. She looked over her shoulder. Scanning the room, she’d finally spied him beside her mother, deep in heated conversation.

  “Well, why didn’t you say so?” Celeste admonished, not realizing she still held the live microphone close by. “Of course, go right ahead.”

  Rob shook his head.

  “Everyone,” Celeste said. “The groom-to-be would like to say something to the bride-to-be. Apparently, they haven’t had a moment alone for him to say what’s in his heart.”

  The room had filled with hushed excitement as Lilli leaned back in her linen-covered chair, waiting to see what kind of romantic surprise Rob had in store for her.

  Rob’s gaze had met hers and he paled. Letting out a groan of frustration, he sidled past his future mother-in-law to the keyboard used to run the presentation.

  The screen went blank.

  Rob typed furiously.

  Lilli, along with everyone in the large ballroom, waited in anticipation for the heartfelt words that would appear on the screen.

  Lilli, you are a wonderful girl, the words began, making everyone in the room sigh simultaneously. Lilli had felt a lump of emotion rise in her throat.

  But, came the next word.

  Followed by, I have to beak up with you.

  “Beak?” her mother asked directly into the microphone. She exchanged a confused glance between the screen and Lilli, who sat frozen in her seat. “What does beak mean?”

  Lilli frowned. Beak? Did he mean...?

  “Break,” Rob belted out. “Lilli, I have to break up with you,” he said from across the room. “Before our family and friends, I have to break up with you.”

  Lilli stared at him in horror as excited murmurs rose throughout the room. Her mind went blank until Rob had managed to pull Lilli to a corner of the room.

  “Why?” Lilli had asked, her chest tight, her eyes hot with unshed tears.

  “I can’t do this.”

  “But we have the church reserved. The reception hall booked. Our whole future ahead of us.”

  “That’s just it, a future with you working.”

  “What are you talking about?” she’d asked, truly confused.

  “I thought I wanted a wife. A family. But instead I just feel pressured.”

  “Is this about me working? I can cut back for a while, until we get used to—”

  “That’s just it. I don’t know what I want right now. The pressure of this wedding is just too much.”

  She’d glanced around the room full of rapt faces hanging on the engaged couple’s every word. “And you’ve decided that right now is the time to discuss this?”

  “What better time? After we say our vows? You’ve been putting me off, what with all the wedding lists and plans. Everything has to be just so, according to your timetable. What about what I want?”

  She’d blinked and looked at him. Really looked at him. Is this how married life would be? Rob changing his mind about their lives when the pressure becam
e too much for him?

  “So this is your decision?” She refused to go back to a life where other people dictated her every move. Her parents had done that most of her life. Her husband would not.

  Rob straightened his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Lilli.”

  “I know, Rob.” She hadn’t understood, but knew he meant those words.

  Rob had turned on his heel and walked out of her life, leaving her with a room full of people who wanted answers, a wedding to undo and facing the realization that she’d almost made a huge mistake.

  Now, a year later, Lilli slowly backed out of the room, her palms damp, disturbed by her memories. Rob may have taken off after embarrassing her, but she’d learned one thing for sure. Never, ever again would she allow herself to be that thoroughly humiliated.

  She shook her head, removing the lingering visuals and pulling herself together. When she finally entered the room to conduct the meeting, the chatter faded. Lilli faced the women before her, suddenly at a loss for words. Each face held a different emotion. Curiosity. Doubt. Disdain. Now that she had to actually run this meeting, she couldn’t think of a thing to say.

  It only took one condescending look from Marisa to get her mind in gear.

  She took a deep breath and said, “Thank you so much for meeting with me this morning. I have reviewed my mother’s initial lists, which Mrs. Rumpold kindly put together.” She paused as the ladies gave the older woman much-deserved applause. “I wanted to touch base with you all and review some items.”

  She pulled out the master list she’d made last night with all the information Celeste left her along with some ideas of her own.

  “From what I can tell, the committees are full and we still have a lot of work ahead of us to make Tie the Knot a success.”

  “The committees were filled long before you came on the scene,” Sissy Vandermere, Marisa’s mother, informed Lilli before she could say another word. Just as Celeste had warned her.

  Unruffled, Lilli said, “Yes, I see that, so I’d like to get a status report today.”

  “Status reports? Really, Lilli, I’ve been involved with this project from the start. I know more than you do about the lists and committees.” Sissy crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. Lilli half expected the woman to stand up and stomp her feet in a childish tantrum, screaming, “My way or the highway!”

  Lilli cleared her throat, trying to ignore the interruption. “Humor me.” She scanned the list. “I have decorations, donations, club liaison and publicity.”

  “I can take care of the details as well as you.” Sissy straightened, fussed with her hair and took her bossy attitude up a notch. “I’m club liaison, since everyone knows we’re members here.”

  No one needed the reminder.

  Lilli continued. “The club has posted the date and time of Tie the Knot.” She glanced at her notes then asked Sissy, “When can we have access to the event room?”

  Sissy looked around the room, then at Lilli. “Excuse me?”

  “When will they let us in to get the room ready for the benefit?”

  Sissy nearly sniffed her answer. “I didn’t ask. I assumed we’d have it whenever we wanted.”

  “We need to know so we can plan accordingly, especially if there is another event scheduled close to ours. We need to have the tables in place in order to set the stage, decorate and position the silent auction table—”

  “Your mother takes care of that,” Sissy said, a red bloom to her cheeks.

  “My mother isn’t here—I am. And your job is to coordinate with the club, unless you can’t handle that.”

  Silence filled the room as the tension ratcheted higher. The ladies looked from Lilli to Sissy and back again.

  Sissy’s back went up and her eyes narrowed. “I’ll get back to you with those details.”

  “Thank you. Now, let’s move on to decorations.”

  A petite woman raised her hand. “I’m Mary Gibbons. That’s my committee, but I’d like to talk to you later, if possible.”

  Lilli glanced at the worried frown on the woman’s face. “No problem. We’ll get together after the meeting.” She gave Mary a reassuring smile before looking at her list. After checking her notes, she said, “Silent auction?”

  “That would be me.” The polished voice sounded from the back of the room. Lilli groaned when Marisa coyly raised her hand. Just what she needed. The Vandermere mother/daughter tag team.

  “Marisa. How are you doing with donations for the auction?”

  Marisa shifted in the seat beside her mother. Dressed to the nines, she sported designer jeans and an expensive top, not a bleached hair out of place, her makeup artfully applied. “I have some wonderful items lined up.”

  “Can I have your list?”

  “List?”

  “Yes, so we know exactly what is being auctioned off.”

  Marisa glared at Lilli. “It’s all in my head.”

  “I need a list.”

  “Fine,” she snapped. “I’ll get one to you.”

  And I won’t hold my breath waiting. “Thanks.” Lilli smiled politely and moved on. “Mrs. Rumpold and I will be working on matching the models with the volunteer grooms. I also arranged for a harp player. It will add to the atmosphere.” When no one argued with her, Lilli hid a smile. Except for the Vandermeres, so far so good.

  Mrs. Rumpold clasped her hands together and addressed the ladies. “The display wedding dresses are to arrive at the historical society office this afternoon. Let’s not forget that we have them due to Lilli’s connection.”

  The ladies murmured their thanks.

  “Are all the grooms accounted for?” asked a woman Lilli didn’t know.

  “Not yet,” she hedged. “I still have a few calls to make.” To whom, she still hadn’t figured out.

  The women began to chatter about the line-up of men slated to play groom.

  “I know the mayor volunteered. Who else?” another woman asked.

  Mrs. Rumpold stood up. “There’s the fire chief, the owner of Pointe Café, Tim from the insurance company, Dane Peterson and the police chief, of course. But I’m holding out for Max Sanders.”

  “Max Sanders? That name sounds familiar.” Mrs. Weston said.

  “He a security consultant,” Lilli told her.

  “No, it’s not that.”

  “Yes, that’s his business.”

  “No, I mean that’s not where I know him from.”

  “He’s been gone from Cypress Pointe for many years.”

  Mrs. Weston sat straight in her chair. “I remember now. He tried to steal my husband’s car.”

  “That was years ago,” Mrs. Rumpold told her.

  Mrs. Weston shot Mrs. R. a dirty look. “And you think he’s an appropriate choice?”

  “Oh, he’s more than appropriate,” Mrs. Rumpold gushed. Lilli mentally rolled her eyes. “He’s a security consultant now. I don’t see a problem.”

  “Problem? He’s a known thief.”

  “Reformed,” Mrs. Rumpold piped in, defending her man.

  “Please, ladies.” Lilli tried to calm them down. She couldn’t tell them he’d be working security at the benefit, because she hadn’t convinced him to be a groom yet. And when, not if, he agreed, she didn’t want to blow his cover. “Max has been vetted by my mother and the chief. I don’t think we have to worry.”

  The women volleyed questions at Lilli that she had no answers for. When had she lost control? At the mention of Max’s name, that’s when.

  Sissy spoke up again. “My husband would love to be added to the groom list.”

  Lilli jumped on this change of topic. “I’ll add him to the stand-by list.”

  Marisa raised her hand. “Chandler and I have already been selected as the final couple, you
know, since we’ll be married soon.”

  “Isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the wedding dress before the wedding?” Mrs. Rumpold asked.

  Marisa glared at the woman. “It’s not my actual wedding dress for the big day with Chandler. It’s the other one.”

  The “other one” meaning the dress from the previous engagement. Yes, Marisa had been engaged. Twice. Before Chandler. The one she would wear for the fashion show had been created from antique lace and satin, so it fit the theme of the fashion show.

  Marisa continued. “You won’t be changing the lineup, will you Lilli?”

  Lilli’s teeth hurt at Marisa’s sweet-as-molasses tone. Okay, she could argue on principle or choose her battles. Letting the couple remain the finale was a concession she could easily make. “The lineup will stay the same, Marisa.”

  Marisa’s eyebrow angled. In suspicion? If she expected a fight, Lilli decided not to give it to her. She needed all her energy for another battle on another day.

  Fortunately the topic of Max never surfaced again. After discussing several more items on her agenda, Lilli declared the meeting adjourned. The ladies mingled and chatted before leaving. Most of them came up to tell Lilli she was doing a good job in her mother’s place. Finally, she met with Mary Gibbons.

  “I have to say, I’m a bit overwhelmed with the decorations. I’m not sure where to start. Your mother envisioned the room decorated like a wedding reception. She is very particular, and I don’t want to let her down.”

  An idea popped into Lilli’s head. “I may have a solution.”

  Mary nodded.

  “My good friend Jewel has expressed an interest in helping us. She’s very artsy and I think you might work well together. I’ll set up a meeting. How does that sound?”

  Mary took Lilli’s hand. “Now I know why your mother asked you to run things while she’s away.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Marisa has been circling like a vulture since the moment your mother left town, but thankfully Celeste had the smarts to bring you in. Honestly, if Marisa had her way, this benefit would be a catastrophe.”