Holiday Wedding

by Robyn Neeley

  “Yes. It should be fun.” As fun as a root canal without Novocain. Actually, if she had the choice, she might take the root canal.

  He jumped and clapped his hands. “Excellent! We’re going to have a marvelous day.”

  Drew approached, casting over to Lauren the biggest “I told you he was Miles” smart-ass grin. “Hey, man. Good to see you again.”

  “Drew, you are going to simply love the Gingerbread House. It’s a really special place.”

  “What’s it made out of?” Drew snickered.

  James shrugged and headed out the door. “Wood?”

  Lauren tugged on Drew’s coat as James went ahead and got into his red Honda. “Try to have fun this morning.”

  He smiled down at her. “I could say the same thing to you. You sure you’re okay to do this?”

  “Yeah.” That was so a lie. “It’s just fabric.” Yep, a big fat one. She handed him her keys.

  “Okay. I’ll check in with you later.”

  That he didn’t end his once-routine sentence with a kiss chipped another piece off of her broken heart. She called out his name and he turned. “Embrace Christmas, Drew.” She spun on her heels, pointing to the mountains. “It’s all around.”

  “Good thing I have my shades,” he said, putting on his sunglasses. A few minutes later, he backed her BMW down the driveway and was off on his holiday adventure.

  She took a deep breath. Her trying on wedding dresses and Drew being fully immersed in Christmas. She was sure both of their mornings were going to suck.

  • • •

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Drew stood outside the Gingerbread House and shook his head. Mini-Miles had been right. It was made out of wood, and with a white roof and red and green circles attached to it, the place looked exactly like the infamous eatable home.

  He made his way up a path and fisted his hand to knock, half expecting an evil witch inside ready to shove him into an oven.

  Good thing he didn’t have a sweet tooth to the extent that his brother did. Unless there was more of that chocolate cake in there that he’d tasted yesterday. Another slice of that and he’d be a goner. He smiled, remembering the red velvet piece he’d smeared across Lauren’s beautiful face.

  He should be with her right now, working on the wedding. Leave this place for the fairy tales.

  What were Luke’s twisted plans for today? Well, time to find out. Drew knocked and the door flew open. His eyes widened in surprise at the familiar woman in front of him. “Natasha.”

  “Hi, Drew.” The petite brunette stood in the doorway, wearing a bright red apron with a Christmas tree on its front.

  “I didn’t realize I was meeting you this morning. It’s nice to see you again.” Since Lauren had James, maybe Natasha could be his Snow Frost Mountain buddy. Although her abundance of Christmas spirit would quickly get on his nerves.

  “It’s nice to see you, too. Did you have a good night?”

  He nodded. The time in the hot tub with his arms around Lauren, singing in her ear had been the best part of it. He decided to keep that to himself. “Lauren and I are really enjoying the cabin,” he said, leaving it at that.

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “Do you work here, too?” he asked, then responded for her. “Oh, I get it. This is part of the Santa’s Workshop tour, isn’t it? Will I be making toys?”

  “No. No.” She offered to take his coat and scarf. “I think your toy making is done for this trip.”

  “That’s probably for the better. Lauren definitely had a knack for it, but I’m more about selling toys.”

  She chuckled. “So we hear.”

  “You know I’m in the toy business?”

  She opened a closet and hung up Drew’s coat. “It’s all everyone is talking about.”

  “Everyone? Who’s everyone?”

  Her lips curved up, but she didn’t say a word. “Come on in. I have some cookies in the oven that are just about done.”

  “Let me guess. Gingerbread men?” He followed her down a short hallway into a small country kitchen.

  She laughed. “No, I made those yesterday. For today’s cookie I went with snickerdoodle.”

  Drew inhaled the warm scent. The simple décor of wicker baskets and knickknacks reminded him of his mom’s kitchen. His mom had always loved to bake.

  “Would you like to try one? I have a cooled batch right here.” Natasha grabbed a tin and opened it.

  Drew peered in the tin. “No, thank you. I had a big breakfast,” he fibbed. It was dumb, but he always turned down Christmas cookies. The memory was too painful. Lauren knew about his aversion to anything edible representing Christmas. She understood and had never once baked Christmas cookies for him the entire time they were together.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around, hearing voices in the next room. “Is this a bed and breakfast?”

  She smiled. “Something like that. It sounds like our current guests are in the Wishing Tree parlor.”

  “The Wishing Tree parlor?” he repeated. “Like the tree in the center of town? I heard about that.”

  She smiled up at him. “Did you make your wish, Drew?”

  “Nah, I have everything I need.” He wasn’t going to admit to a stranger that his one and only wish was to have a second chance with Lauren.

  “You sure about that?”

  He grinned. “You know, I once wished for a Super Nintendo system. My dad said I needed to spend more time outside. I think I got a fishing pole that year.”

  “I remember.” She slipped on a red oven mitt and opened the oven door.

  Drew turned in surprise. “What did you say?”

  “I remember that was a popular toy in the early nineties, wasn’t it?”

  “Oh.” Drew studied Natasha. “Yeah, it sold out almost immediately after its debut.”

  “What is the popular toy this year in your store?”

  He sighed. “Not the one it should be. I don’t think kids these days would know a good toy if it bit them in the butt.” He paused, taking in Natasha’s surprised expression. “Sorry. I just mean there are a lot of good toys out there that sometimes kids aren’t interested in.” He muttered, “No matter how hard you try to prove your brother wrong …”

  “Well, maybe the dolls will be popular this weekend at the Frost Festival.”

  “You heard about the Happily Ever After dolls?”

  “Not a lot flies under the radar in these parts.” She chuckled.

  “I’m starting to realize that.” Forget New York City or Washington D.C. Snow Frost Mountain seemed to be the epicenter for all breaking news. He heard a child’s laughter coming from the next room. “Is this some type of daycare?”

  Natasha smoothed her apron and instructed him to follow her out of the kitchen, down the hall, and into a large living room. His gaze rested on a woman holding up a small girl to admire the Christmas tree. The little girl’s bald head answered his question.

  “Our visitors come here for a much-needed break from their norm and opportunity to meet Santa, only he had to go out of town this morning.” She winked. “He’s been particularly busy this year splitting his time between Snow Frost Mountain and the big city.”

  “That’s too bad. Can’t you get someone else to put on the suit?”

  “It’s funny you should ask. Follow me.”

  He followed her into the next room, a small office with a computer and desk. She walked over to the closet and opened it. “Now, it might be a little big on you.”

  “Whoa. Rewind. You want me to play Santa?” Drew shifted uncomfortably, eyeing the suit. That wasn’t happening.

  “Just for an hour. Sara’s so excited to meet you.”

  “But I’m not Santa.”

  “Not yet.” She handed him the heavy red and white costume. “I’ll just run and get you a pillow to plump you out. You can change in here.”

  Before he could say no, she made a mad dash out the door, closing it behind her.

/>   Drew looked down at the costume. If he didn’t do it, Natasha would surely think he was an ass. He reached in his pocket for his phone. Lauren would know what to do. He scrolled through the names and tapped the screen. It went directly to voicemail.

  There was no way out of it, and he didn’t want to disappoint the little girl. He slid an arm through the red coat and then the other. It was only an hour. He’d tell Sara she could have anything she wanted this Christmas and call Olivia and have her ship the toy to the girl’s house. Then he’d make some excuse to get the hell out of there.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Lauren stopped short of the boutique’s glass door, dreading what awaited her inside. On the short drive over, she’d tried to give herself a mental pep talk. This was for Luke and Kate and she adored them.

  She could do this. She’d done it before. One hour, two hours, tops. She’d have the boutique owner and James help her pick out three classic dresses that would accentuate Kate’s tall and lean figure and call it a day. Then she’d arrange for samples to be shipped up to Miles and he could make the final decision.

  Her heart squeezed as she stepped inside to see directly in front of her a beautiful white strapless wedding dress draped on a mannequin, its delicate silk taffeta flowing to the floor.

  She sighed, letting her hands glide over the fabric. It’d been so hard to find her own perfect dress, but when Kate had entered the stacks and emerged with the gown of Lauren’s dreams, it had been pure magic.

  James made quick introductions with the salesperson who would be assisting them throughout the morning. The young woman was named Courtney and had just as much spunk as James. Like all of the town’s residents, she was a bit on the shorter side and wore Christmas on her sleeve—literally. Christmas trees decorated her ivory dress.

  “Lauren, why don’t you head into the Prancer Room and get settled in?” Courtney instructed while offering her a Christmas cookie.

  Lauren’s eyebrow shot up. “The Prancer Room?”

  Courtney giggled. “It’s our nickname for the dressing room because brides tend to prance around in our dresses.”

  “Got it.” Lauren headed for the dressing room, cookie in hand. Was she delusional or were there a lot of references to reindeer in this town? That reminded her she’d have to contact DJ Dancer and ask him to pick out a suitable wedding song, since Drew and she had failed at that mission.

  “Lauren, love. I’ll open a bottle of champagne and then start handing you dresses to try on,” James said.

  “Okay. Kate and I aren’t really the same size, but I think we have similar taste.” She finished the cookie and asked if James could bring her another one. It wasn’t like she needed to worry about getting into the dress next weekend. She could eat as many cookies as she pleased.

  She entered the stall where a gorgeous off-white dress with a sweetheart frame hung on a white satin hanger. “Should I start with this one?” she asked.

  “Yes, love,” James said back. “They’re out of champagne, but I’ve got some delicious eggnog for us that I think you’ll like.”

  She started to undress and couldn’t help but laugh. When she’d tried on dresses with her mother, Kate, and Miles in Waikiki, the mimosas had been free-flowing. Eggnog wasn’t quite the same, but it was Christmas after all.

  Climbing into the gown, she already knew it was all wrong. Too long and too tight. Kate needed a dress that flattered her physique but had a little flow to it. The bride-to-be was also a bit of a klutz. Lauren would have to select a train that her friend’s two left feet wouldn’t get twisted in.

  “How’s it going?” James asked. “Need a second opinion?”

  She opened the curtain and stepped out, wrinkling her nose.

  “Not the one.”

  “Definitely not for me.” She paused, realizing her mistake. “I mean Kate. Definitely not for Luke’s bride.”

  She went back in with her eggnog and James continued to bring in dress after dress. After the fourth attempt Lauren was exhausted and frustrated. None of the gowns she’d tried on screamed “Kate.” When she saw the perfect dress, she’d know it.

  Who was she kidding? She had no business selecting a wedding gown for Kate or anyone. The dresses she’d picked out for her own wedding had been absolutely hideous, causing her to waddle and look like a beached whale. Kate was the expert, not her. “James, this is hopeless.”

  “I’ve got one more. I think you’re going to love it.”

  She highly doubted it. Glancing at her defeated expression in the mirror, she attempted to give her reflection a pep talk. “One more, and you can call this off.” She drew back the curtain and gasped at the gown he held up with his hands. Her hand covered her mouth.

  “You don’t like it?” He started to turn. “I can find another one.”

  She lunged and snatched the familiar material out of his hands. “No, I’d love to try this on.”

  Minutes later, Lauren twirled in not only the dress of her dreams, but the exact dress Kate had picked out for her in Hawaii. How could this be possible? Maybe her dress hadn’t been a one of a kind, but it wasn’t like Kate had picked it out of a J.Crew catalogue.

  How was it possible that this small town in the middle of nowhere carried the same dress she had selected in Hawaii for her own wedding? “Magic,” she whispered, admiring the organza petals.

  “How’s it going in there, Lauren?” James asked.

  “Oh, Miles, I love it.”

  “Who’s Miles?”

  “Sorry, James.” Lauren pushed back the curtain and stepped out. “He’s my best friend. You remind me of him … a lot.”

  He smirked. “Beautiful women tell me I remind them of their best friends all the time.” He handed her a flute of bubbly champagne. “Courtney ran out and bought a bottle. I thought you could use something stronger than eggnog.”

  She took the glass and sipped, admiring her reflection in the mirror. “Thank you.”

  “The dress is stunning on you. Is this the one you’d like to suggest for Kate?”

  “No!” She turned and put her flute down on a nearby table. “I mean, I love this dress. Is it unheard of for a maid of honor to wear white?”

  Courtney joined them. “Not at all, especially this time of year.”

  James nodded in agreement. “A lot of couples pick a white and red theme. Given Christmas and all.”

  Lauren glanced again into the three-way mirror. Could she wear the dress meant for her wedding to Drew? Maybe the boutique staff could help her accentuate it with red so she wasn’t completely in white, and find her a matching drape cover up.

  “I do want to wear this …” She glanced at her reflection one last time. “I should probably run it by Miles.”

  “The best friend?” James asked.

  “And the wedding planner. He’s really calling all the shots.” That statement got a strange look between James and Courtney. “The more I think about it, Kate should really be picking out her own dress. Maybe we could get a photo of what she picks out and then I can select a warm wrap for any outdoor pictures?”

  “Sure. Whatever you’d like.” Courtney came over and touched the organza tulle, admiring the fabric. “It really is gorgeous on you. We’ve had this gem for quite some time.” She leaned in and whispered, “I had a feeling it would one day find its rightful owner.”

  Lauren blushed and headed back into the dressing room to change. “Let me think about it.” If only they knew how perfect this dress was for her. Alone, she took a few minutes more to reacquaint herself with the gown, imagining what it would have been like to walk down that aisle on the beach to Drew.

  “I’ll take it,” she blurted out. She may never get that moment back, judging by his apologizing for almost kissing her last night, but she was determined to show Drew what he’d missed.

  • • •

  Drew stared at his reflection in the mirror, shaking his head “No, no, no.”

  “Actually the phrase is ‘ho, ho, ho.’�
�� Natasha reached up and brushed the red coat. “Drew, you make the perfect Santa.”

  He kind of had to agree with her. With the wig, beard, red coat, and black boots he could pass for St. Nick in any mall in America. Good to know he’d be able to get part-time work if Luke kicked him out of the company.

  “You ready?”

  “Yes. Let’s get this over with.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I can think of a lot worse things you could be doing than making a little girl’s dream come true.”

  “I’m sorry. I agree. I’m ready,” he said, trying to add a convincing “ho, ho, ho.”

  “That’s the spirit, Drew.” Natasha patted his arm. “I mean, Santa.”

  “So, how long has she been sick?”

  “She was diagnosed with stage-four cancer earlier this year.”

  “That’s awful. How old is she?”

  “Six.”

  “Wow.” Drew shook his head. “This must be so hard for her and her family.”

  Natasha agreed. “That’s why they’re here. Taking a break from her hospital routine to come see—”

  “Santa,” he finished her sentence.

  She grinned, patting him on the back. “You’re getting it, Drew.”

  “But I’m not that guy,” he said. “I’ve never been that guy. I hope I can pull it off.”

  Natasha stepped into the kitchen and grabbed the plate of now-cooled snicker doodles.

  “It’s simple, really.” She offered him one. “Let’s start with the basics. You need to like these.”

  Drew studied the plate, his chest squeezing. It was only a cookie, for God’s sake. He took one and held it in his hand. “Natasha, I’m really sorry. I can’t do this. I’m not Santa. I don’t even like Christmas.” He set the cookie down. “Can we just find someone else to do this? I know James is with Lauren. Maybe he could come over?”

  She gazed up at him and he could see what looked like pity in her eyes. “Okay.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said and genuinely meant it. “I’ve never been good at celebrating this time of year.”

  “I know.”

  There it was again. Her insinuating she had insider information. “What do you mean, you know?”