Karen nodded, looking distracted as Candy came into the room. “All things take time.”
“Do I need to come in here to work on my designs, or can I do them from home?”
“A lot happens in the war room I don’t want you to miss. But feel free to stay home and focus on the designs for Daisy for the next few days. This wedding is our top priority.”
“Got it. Thank you.” Phoebe left the room, more than ready to leave the offices. She’d had enough of Premiere Wedding Planners for one day.
“What was that about?” Candy asked, following her.
“What do you mean?”
“I made this happen for you. You should be a little more appreciative.”
Phoebe looked at her through narrowed eyes. “Why did you make this happen? You never even talked to me before I got together with Beau.”
The answer was written all over Candy’s face. Why hadn’t Phoebe seen it before? “This is about Beau, isn’t it? He didn’t want you, so you took away what he wanted. How did that feel?”
She smiled wide, the first real smile Phoebe had seen all day. “Pretty damn good.”
“You’re a piece of work.”
“It worked out well for you, too, so what do you have to complain about?”
Phoebe left the offices and drove home. She didn’t know how she would work in that place. She would much rather work on her jewelry from home. Or even from a room with a beautiful view of a snow-covered mountain.
She stopped herself. What was she thinking? That mountain tried to kill her. Maybe. Or maybe she wasn’t prepared for the snow. She pulled out her phone and flipped through the pictures she took. Her table in the chalet, the other tables. Sally. She stopped and ran her finger across the screen. Beau.
She thought of the chalet and how beautiful of a wedding venue it would make. In fact, the perfect venue for Daisy Whitechapel. She started to get an idea. A crazy idea. It might work.
It might just be a way for her to see Beau.
She picked up the phone and called Paige.
Six hours later, Phoebe pulled into the chalet. She had to stop herself from dropping by the bar to say hello to Beau. She had to wait until she talked to Paige. All the way up there, her mind raced with ways to make her plan work. She must have called Paige five times, as new ideas came to her.
Each time, Paige bubbled over with enthusiasm, and by the time she arrived, Phoebe believed they really could make this work.
Chapter Nineteen
Beau looked up from the bar as his mom walked through the front door. “Hey, Mom, what’s up?”
“We’ve heard from the attorney.”
He cringed at the news as she took a seat at the bar. “That was quick.”
“He said we should accept Clearwater’s offer.”
The air whooshed out of his chest.
“I know it’s not the news you were hoping for, but we’re going to take it. Rich and I would like to travel. We’re not getting any younger.”
“Travel? Together?” Beau was stunned. Beyond stunned.
“Yes. As friends and companions. We’re getting one of those RVs. Neither of us have been off this mountain in years. There’s a big world out there for us to explore, and we’re both ready.”
“What about Sally?”
“She can either come with us, or you can watch her. You can move into the house. I’m sorry, Beau. This isn’t the news you were hoping for. I get that.”
“Don’t be. Do what’s best for you. You’ve been doing what’s best for me for a long time now. It’s time to take care of yourself, and I think traveling is a great idea.”
Her dark eyes perused his face. “You’re taking this well.”
“I guess I’ve gotten used to the idea. I’m not all that broken up about it. Perhaps it’s time for me to move on and do something else with my life too.”
She looked surprised. “Could it be that what you thought you wanted is different from what you actually needed? And now you know that?”
“You might be right.” He grinned. “What a surprise, must be Mom magic.”
She smiled and reached for his hand, giving it a good squeeze. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too. How does Sally do on road trips?”
She shrugged. “She’s never been on one. Why?”
“I’d like to take a trip to meet my siblings.”
“In Santa Cruz?”
“Yep, they’re close to the beach and surrounded by redwoods. Sally would love it.”
“Sounds beautiful, and from what I hear Santa Cruz isn’t that far from San Francisco.”
“I’ve heard that too. If I get time, I’ll look Phoebe up.”
Laughter twinkled in her eyes. “Somehow I’m sure you’ll get the time.”
His phone rang. “It’s Paige,” he said as he answered. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Are you with Mom?”
“Yes.”
“Can you both come to the chalet?”
“Sure.” He hung up the phone, and they got in his truck and drove up the mountain. As they arrived at the chalet, Phoebe’s car sat out front. Expectation kicked his chest. “Phoebe’s here.” He got out of his truck and hurried inside. Phoebe was sitting on the sofa next to his sister, their heads together over a bunch of papers laid out on the coffee table.
“Phoebe, you’re here,” his mother said and rushed toward her. She stood and gave his mom a big hug.
Beau stood there, staring at her. He couldn’t believe his eyes.
She smiled and walked into his arms. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He gave her a squeeze.
She looked up at him with those gorgeous brown eyes. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” His voice cracked.
Rich came in the door behind them, surprise on his face. “What’s going on?”
“Phoebe and I called you here for a reason. Let’s take a seat,” his sister said, gesturing to the two couches facing each other.
“Phoebe and you?” Beau repeated.
Phoebe winked and led him to one of the sofas facing the coffee table covered with their papers.
“As I’ve said, I’m leaving Prestige Events and opening up a West Coast office of Destination Weddings,” Paige started. “I talked to my new boss, Ewan at Destination Weddings, and he’s agreed to let me run the offices out of the chalet instead of Sacramento.”
“What?” his mother said.
“I will have to go to a lot of bridal shows during the wedding season, but we can set the destination weddings up from anywhere. By working from here, I can still run events out of the chalet. But I’ll need a planner to work with me, and Phoebe’s agreed to come on board, and we will run things together.”
“Is this for real?” Beau asked. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “The two of you will run a business out of the chalet?”
“Yes,” Paige said. “We will still accommodate the skiers during the winter months, but our focus will be events and weddings.”
Beau looked at Phoebe, trying to wrap his mind around this. “You are leaving San Francisco? What about your new job?”
“My new job wasn’t all that wonderful. With this job, I’ll be able to do a lot more for the client than I could at Premiere Wedding Planners. I’m super excited about it.”
“We’re starting out small, so we’ll both have to do a lot of everything, especially in the beginning. We’re taking a risk. If we don’t get enough clients during our first year to pay for ourselves, Ewan will shut us down. It’s a gamble, but one we think will pay off,” Paige explained.
“Destination weddings are becoming a big thing.” Phoebe paced as she talked, he couldn’t help noticing the blue ribbon tied to her wrist. He’d seen that before. Her good luck charm. “People need help to plan them. That’s where we come in. And if we can fix up the hotel and bar, and upgrade the dining room here, we can host destination weddings right here at the chalet. The views are beautiful and w
ith the skiing and Tahoe right down the hill, there is a lot to offer potential clients.”
At that moment, Phoebe never looked more beautiful; her excitement and enthusiasm were contagious.
“It sounds wonderful,” his mom said, clapping her hands together in front of her.
“There are a lot of high-end clients who would pay top dollar for wedding venues that are unique. With the right advertising and connections, we can get that business,” Paige insisted.
“Not to rain on your parade, but where are we going to get the money for all these renovations?” Rich asked.
“From a bank,” Paige said. “You and my mom own both the properties outright. With a good business plan, we can get a bank loan to make all this happen.” Paige pulled out the rough designs she drew for the chalet and laid them out on the coffee table between the two sofas. “Phoebe and I have been working on these ideas all day, and with these changes, we can host weddings, parties, and corporate events as well.”
“Add our plan to Beau’s business plan, and I don’t see how they’ll say no. We must start right away on the renovations,” Phoebe added. “Wedding season is right around the corner.”
Could this really happen? “What about the animal heads?” Beau asked. “Because I don’t want to lose those.”
“They can stay.” Phoebe gave him a smile that plucked his heart. “Rustic chic is in. Just look at Jackson Hole.”
“We will reinvent Snowy Mountain,” Paige added. “It will be great.”
“But why would you do that? Why take the risk?” his mom asked.
“This mountain is our home. It’s our heritage, and we don’t want to lose that,” Beau said. “I hope you’ll give us a chance.”
“Are you sure you’re ready to come home?” his mom asked Paige. “Are you both sure you want to live here?”
“We’re sure,” Paige and Phoebe said in unison.
Unable to believe it was real, Beau reached for Phoebe’s hand.
“Beau, are you still interested in running the hotel and bar?” his mom asked. “Not an hour ago, you said you were ready to move on.”
“I did, and I was. But this makes me incredibly happy. Yes, I’m thrilled about the bar, but I was going after you, Phoebe.” He pulled her down next to him. “You were right. We have something special, and I didn’t want to lose that. I didn’t want to stay on this mountain without you.”
“Now you don’t have to. I’m here. We had a wonderful weekend, and it’s a little weird that I’m moving here to stay, but you and this mountain grew on me. And look—” She kicked out her foot.
“You got snow boots,” he said with a grin.
“I got snow boots. And gloves. I’m ready, and I’m here to stay.”
“I don’t care if it’s weird,” he said, pulling her into his arms.
“You don’t?”
“Nope. I’m glad you’re here.”
“So, do we have a deal?” Paige asked his mom and Rich. They looked at each other, hesitating long enough to make Beau catch his breath.
“As long as we get our RV to go traveling, you kids can do whatever you want,” Rich said.
The room exploded in cheers.
“Is it really true?” Beau asked.
Phoebe laughed. “Yes.”
“But how?”
“I decided I wanted my own happily ever after, and I wouldn’t get it if I spent all my time making other people’s dreams come true. It was time to work on mine.”
Not able to let her go, he kissed her again, his lips pressing against hers long enough that he convinced himself he wasn’t dreaming. “Thank you,” he said.
“For what?”
“For coming home and making my dreams come true.”
Dear Reader
Thank you for reading All Night Long the second story in the Kiss The Bride series. Be sure to catch Going All The Way, where we first meet Phoebe and her best friend, Carrie.
Blurb for Going All The Way -
Carrie Steinhem wants one thing from life—peace. She has been burning the candle at both ends and has the scorch marks to prove it. She returns home to San Francisco to focus on her artwork, relax, and hang out with her friends. A stress-free life. Until a man moves in next door who pushes all her buttons. Between Ryan and his dog, Riley, life is anything but peaceful. But it sure is a whole lot more fun.
Buy Going All The Way!
Stay tuned for All Mine, when the three friends show up once more in Hawaii for a Phoebe and Ryan’s wedding. Only this time it’s Naomi’s turn to wear the lucky ribbon. With these three around, fun and games are sure to follow.
About Cynthia
Cynthia loves connecting with readers ~
First published in 2003, Cynthia Cooke is a USA Today Bestselling author who has published 25 novels in 12 different countries with Harlequin, Entangled, and Amazon Kindle Worlds. She has a deep affection for romance stories and playing in the ocean. On her best days you can find her on the beach with her notebook, a novel in hand, and her dog, Bella, by her side.
CYNTHIA LOVES to hear from readers!
Website: www.cynthiacooke.com
Email: [email protected]
Go to Cynthia’s website to sign up for Cynthia’s Newsletter to get latest news and exclusive content or click here-Newsletter Signup
Other Books by Cynthia
For a complete list go Cynthia’s Amazon Author page
Kiss The Bride Series
Book #1 - Going All The Way
Book #2 - All Night Long
Coming May 2020 - Book #3 - All Mine
A Pineville Christmas Series
Book #1 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Book #2 - Christmas to Remember
Book #3 Home for Christmas
Book #4 (Short) Candy’s Christmas Rescue
Deadly Secrets Series
Book #1 Deadly Secrets Loving Lies
Book #2 Johnny’s Girl
Book #3 Buried Secrets
Dark Enchantments Series
The Vampire's Reckoning
The Dragon's Woman
Coming Soon: The Vampire’s Seduction
Bayou Secrets Series
Her Dark Lover
His Magic Touch
The Colony Series
Running With Wolves (The Colony Book 1)
Lying With Wolves (The Colony Book 2)
Thank You!
Thank you for reading All Night Long! If you have a moment to recommend this story to your friends and family, I’d be very appreciative. Reviews are always welcomed and appreciated. Thank you!
All Night Long: Kiss The Bride #2 Page 10
