“Exactly.”
“Then I can be ready to leave in five.”
“Wow, okay, I better get moving. I need a few more minutes than that.” She pushed back from the table. “Just leave the dishes, I’ll clean up tonight.”
“Go,” he said. “I’ve got this.”
“Thanks.” She hustled back to her bedroom. Was Wyatt always this helpful? Or was this just what having a good partner was like? Either way, it was incredibly nice. She got herself together, and they were out the door in less than fifteen minutes.
Wyatt drove, which gave her a chance to text her mom and check in on Saffie. All was well. Saffie hadn’t accidentally cast any spells that needed undoing, so that was good. Marigold had been a little afraid Saffie would want to show off her budding skills in front of her mimi.
“Everything okay?” Wyatt asked.
“Yep.” Marigold finished texting her reply to Corette. “Saffie’s been up since six, which isn’t that big of a deal since my mom is an early riser, but apparently she’s had her bridesmaid dress on since then too.”
Wyatt laughed. “That’s kind of adorable.”
Marigold glanced at him. “It is, isn’t it? Man, that kid loves weddings. I’m almost afraid of how much actually being in one is going to affect her. She’s been planning the day she and Charlie Merrow walk down the aisle since about five seconds after she met him. I mean, that’s crazy, right?”
“Not so much.” He gave her a quick, sly look. “When you know, you know.”
Her insides went all fluttery. Was he implying what it seemed like he was implying? She couldn’t think about that right now, or she’d melt down into a happy but weirded-out puddle of goo.
Creeping myrtle, she liked him a lot.
Fortunately, they were pulling into the shop’s parking lot, giving her a valid reason not to respond to his statement. She was almost out of the SUV before it stopped. “I’ll get the shop unlocked.”
He got out of the vehicle a couple seconds later. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She cranked the key and pushed the door open. “I know. You didn’t. Just…there’s no space in my head to think about more than the wedding right now.”
“Totally get it. Let’s get to work. What can I do?”
“Back the van up to this door? Then we can get loading.” And she could take a second to process what he’d said.
He took the keys off the hook inside. “On it.”
While he did that, she flipped the lights on and took care of Frank’s food and water, then got her checklist out. She stared at the sheet in front of her, not really seeing it. Did Wyatt really mean he thought she was the one? The thought that he might be ready to commit to a future with her made her head spin. In a good way. Her heart beat a little faster. Then she shook herself. She couldn’t think about that right now or nothing was going to get done.
She put that unbelievable thought from her head and focused on the checklist again. As long as he had this for the second trip, everything should be fine. He was a very capable guy. And he was right. If she didn’t delegate, she’d never get to enjoy today.
He strolled back in, stooping to give Frank a scratch on the head. “Van’s moved, doors are open, and I’m ready to work.”
“Good.” She could do a future with him. Also, so much for not thinking about what he’d said. She blinked, trying to clear her head of all the giddiness going on up there. “Because we have a lot of it to do.”
Nearly forty-five minutes later, the van was loaded and they were ready to head to Cole and Pandora’s. Marigold drove the van with Wyatt following behind in his rental. All of their wedding clothes were in his car, along with her toiletries and makeup bag.
The drive to her sister’s took a little longer than usual, but then, she’d never driven to Pandora’s house with a van full of flowers before. She backed into the drive while Wyatt parked on the street.
Cole walked out onto the front porch as they were getting out of the vehicles. “Pandora sent me out to help.”
“Perfect.” Marigold gestured toward the van. “You and Wyatt can start carrying the swags to the backyard while I take our wedding clothes into the house.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He headed for the van, giving Wyatt a nod.
The clothes could have waited, but she really wanted to see Pandora. She took both garment bags, the toiletries, and her makeup bag and headed in.
She found her sister at the kitchen table, leisurely sipping a cup of coffee and scrolling through her phone.
Marigold stared at her in shock. “What are you doing?”
Pandora put her phone down. “Having coffee and dealing with email. You know, like civilized people do.”
“You should be upstairs, squirreled away where Cole can’t see you. It’s tradition, you know.”
Pandora shook her head. “You sound like Gertrude.”
“Well, for a ghost, she’s very astute. Isn’t Mom here yet? She can’t be, or she’d have you locked upstairs too.”
Pandora gave her sister a slightly patronizing look. “He won’t see me in my dress until I walk down the aisle, I promise. And that’s like eight hours away, so…”
“Still.” Marigold sighed, overwhelmed suddenly by the day in front of them. “I can’t believe you’re getting married.”
“I know.” Pandora grinned. “It’s been a long time coming, huh?” She got to her feet. “You want to hang that stuff in one of the guest rooms? Then you can have your own space to get ready in when all the flowers are taken care of.”
“That would be great.”
“Come on, I’ll show you.” Pandora picked up her coffee and headed for the second story.
Marigold followed her up the steps. Not a creak from any of them. The house, an old Victorian and one of the largest on the block, had been completely renovated and now looked like a showplace. “Are you nervous?”
“No. Just excited and ready and literally so happy that I almost can’t stand it.” She opened one of the doors and led Marigold into the guest room. “Speaking of happy, how’re things with the detective?”
Marigold smiled, unable to do anything else. “He’s…amazing.”
“So you’ll be next, then?”
“Pandy, stop that. You’ll jinx things.” Marigold hung the garment bags in the closet.
Pandora shrugged. “He’s got your magic. You should marry him. You know, just to keep it in the family.”
“Today is not the day for that conversation.” She gave her sister a quick hug. “I’m so happy for you. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Now I better get downstairs and make sure the flowers are perfect.”
Pandora squinted. “You’re freaking out a little.”
“Just a little. But everything’s going to be fine, you’ll see.” Marigold meant it, too. There was no way anything was going to ruin her sister’s day.
Wedding flower setup was a surprisingly sweaty job. How that, or anything, could surprise Wyatt after the week he’d already had, he wasn’t sure. But it did. Good thing he liked the work. Plus, there was pride in a job well done, no matter what that job was.
And, if he really got truthful, he was starting to like flowers a lot, too. As in he’d never given them a second thought his entire life and now he was noticing how different all the petal shapes were, and how much the colors varied, and the way the scents all seemed to match each flower.
Sometimes it almost felt like he could…hear the flowers. Not that they were speaking to him with audible words. It was more like music. Or a soft hum.
Regardless of the sound, it shouldn’t be possible.
Except he was filled with Marigold’s green-witch magic, and that meant anything was possible. He understood that.
The same way that he understood he could not be without her. Maybe it was how tuned in to her magic he was becoming, or maybe it was the plain truth that he was fast falling in love with her, but she was unmistakably the
woman for him.
He hoped she had similar feelings for him, but he had his doubts. She’d shut him down pretty quickly at the shop.
He was chalking that up to the craziness of the day, because he couldn’t spend the whole day thinking there was any other reason. Not while he was going to be at her side during a wedding.
That would be torturous. He had to put it out of his head until all of this was behind them and they could talk some more. He was probably worrying for nothing. After all, she’d agreed to him helping at the shop and seemed amenable to him moving to Nocturne Falls. That meant she was okay with him being around, didn’t it?
“Mr. Wyatt!”
He turned to see Saffie running barefoot toward him in a fancy flowered dress. “Hey, Saff. Don’t you look pretty?”
She did a twirl, holding her dress out at the sides. “I’m a junior bridesmaid.”
“Are you sure? Because for a second there I thought you might be the bride.”
She giggled and batted her lashes at him. “Not yet. But soon.”
Hoo boy, little Charlie Merrow was in trouble with this one. Wyatt changed the subject. “What do you think of the flowers?” He’d been working on the arbor for almost an hour already, getting the swags wired and zip-tied into place.
“They’re very pretty. Did you help my mom with them?”
“I did. She put all the roses on before I strung them up, but I put the green part together.”
She took a second look. “Did you use your magic?”
“Yes. Lots to learn there.”
Her expression went deeply serious. “I know. It’s hard. I’m getting a mentor. They do that for all the witches when they come into their powers. Maybe they can give you one too.”
He wasn’t sure who they were. “You mean your mom?”
“No, the coven.”
“Oh.” This was new territory for him. “I suppose I’d have to join that first.”
She nodded solemnly. “There aren’t any boys in it that I know about.”
“No? That might be a problem, then, seeing as how I’m a boy.”
She shrugged. “I’ll help you with your magic.”
Her offer caught him off guard, and unexpected emotion nearly closed his throat. “You will?”
She took his hand. “Yes. So will my mom.”
Her hand was so small and delicate in his, her gaze so earnest. A fiercely protective urge rose up in him, the kind that made him realize why fathers met their daughters’ dates at the door with a shotgun in hand. Wyatt had never thought he’d wanted kids. How foolish that line of thinking had been. How in the world had this child’s biological father walked away from her? “You’re something special, Saffron. Thank you.”
She smiled. “I like you too. Are you in love with my mom?”
“Yeah, I think I am. You okay with that?”
Her smile got bigger, and she pulled her hand back like she’d suddenly gone shy. “I’ve never had a dad.”
He scrubbed his hand across his face, trying not to lose his cool. “I had one, but I lost him when I was very young, so I don’t really remember him.”
“Did you get another one after him? Sheriff Merrow adopted Charlie.”
“I never had Charlie’s luck.”
She cocked her head. “No other dad?”
“Nope.”
She stared at him. Maybe sizing him up with that new information.
“Saffron,” a female voice rang out. “Saffie. Where are you?”
Wyatt and Saffie both peeked around the arbor to see Marigold standing on the back porch, calling her name.
“I better go.” Saffron hitched up her dress and took off without waiting for Wyatt’s response.
He laughed softly. The kid was amazing. He was falling for her just as hard as he was for Marigold. He just hoped Saffron still thought he’d be good father material now that she knew he hadn’t had one for most of his life.
He went back to work, weaving in the lights that Marigold had directed him to add once the swags were secured into place. It was going to make a great backdrop for the ceremony and, he imagined, the pictures afterward. But then, the whole place was a real showstopper.
The house and the yard were huge. Both must require a lot of upkeep, especially given the shape of the old Victorian. Everything about it was perfect. Maybe there was some kind of historical society in town. A house like this should be on a tour.
Marigold walked around the side of the arbor to where he was working. “This looks very nice.”
“Good to hear. But if you’re not happy with something, say so and I’ll fix it.”
She shook her head, still looking the arbor over. “No, you did a great job.”
“I’ll be through as soon as I get the last of these lights added, then give them a test to make sure they’re all in working order. Where do you want me next? Porch swags?”
“Yes.” She glanced toward the tents. “I’m going to start getting the centerpieces on the tables. Actually, don’t do the porch swags yet. The prop company has assured me the ceremony area will be set up next, so do me a favor and make sure they don’t touch this arbor while they’re setting all of that up? The last thing I need is them accidentally knocking this over while they’re bringing in chairs and the aisle runner.”
“You got it.”
“Good. Once they’re done with this area, we can add the pew markers. Then the porch can get its swags.”
“When do want me to make the second shop run?”
She unstuck a curl from her damp forehead. “How about after the porch is done? Then I can distribute all of that, and we can both get ready for the wedding. I’m last on the list to get my hair and makeup done, but that also means I have to be dressed and ready to go by then because some of the pictures are happening before the ceremony.”
“Take whatever time you need. I can handle anything else that needs doing. Speaking of the second run, the list of what I need to bring is on the worktable, right?”
“Right.”
He took a long look at her. She didn’t seem entirely herself, but that was understandable. “You doing okay?”
She nodded. “I am. It’s all coming together.”
“It is. And it looks great.” He gave her a little wink. “Saffie told me so.”
Marigold smiled. “Boy, does she like you. She told me I’d better be nice to you.”
He plugged in the strand of lights he was working on. “Smart beyond her years.”
“Maybe too much.” Marigold laughed and shook her head, then was all business again as she patted her hip. “I’ve got my cell phone if you need me or have questions about anything.”
“You got it, boss.” He patted his front pocket. “And I have the keys to the shop and the van, so all good there.”
“Excellent. Thank you for all your hard work. You’ve been a life saver today. Well, all week, really.”
“Happy to do it. Hey, in case I don’t see you before things get underway, is there anywhere special I should sit for the ceremony?”
“Bride’s side. But otherwise, wherever you like. For the reception, you’re next to me at table three.”
“Perfect.”
Still smiling, she headed for the tents. “See you later. And thanks!”
He gave her a thumbs-up, then went back to work, knocking out everything she’d asked him to do and even helping the prop company get set up so things moved a little faster. At last, he was back in the van and headed for the shop.
Once inside, he followed her list to the letter, checking and double-checking all the boxes to make sure each specific item was there. Frank sat on one of the worktables, supervising, which helped immensely.
Wyatt loaded the van and, after one final list check, drove back to the house.
The next few hours were a blur of activity, during which he found time to get a quick shower in one of the guest rooms and get himself dressed. He didn’t see much of Marigold, so he was glad he’d asked her
about seating earlier.
He saw a few familiar faces as he joined the crowd outside, finally deciding on a spot near the back. He wasn’t family and only a recent friend, so he didn’t want to take one of the better seats.
He scanned the house for any sign of Marigold, but the wedding party wasn’t out yet. Wait. There was Saffron and Kaley looking antsy and eager. If the junior bridesmaids were ready, the rest of them couldn’t be far behind.
A low, happy murmur came off the crowd around him. Sun dappled through the branches of the big trees shading most of the backyard and a warm, but pleasant breeze kept things comfortable. It was a perfect day for a wedding, really.
He glanced back at the tents. The centerpieces were in water, so they should be holding up well, but he wasn’t as sure about the swag on the cake table. Marigold wasn’t worried about it, though, so he probably shouldn’t be either. She’d said the tents had air conditioning.
A woman stood inside the nearest tent, partially hidden by the white vinyl wall. She looked familiar, but he couldn’t see enough of her to tell. Not a wedding guest based on the fact that she seemed to be dressed in the same uniform as the catering staff, complete with white chef coat and matching cap.
His gut wasn’t satisfied that’s who she was, however. It was knotted up and telling him something wasn’t right.
Did Pandora and Cole have any enemies who might want to ruin their day? Maybe enemies was too strong of a word, but his cop instincts couldn’t be denied. He didn’t know Cole and Pandora well enough to quell any doubts about who the woman might be, but now wasn’t the time to let a suspicion go unchecked.
He watched her a little more. If she was working for the caterers, she’d probably head back to work any second. She didn’t budge, just stared at the porch. Wyatt’s gut knotted a little more. The woman looked at least twelve years older than Cole, so not likely an ex of his.
Whoever she was, Wyatt figured it couldn’t hurt to have a closer look.
As he got up, the bluegrass quartet started to play. Another glance at the porch confirmed the wedding was beginning. Saffron and Kaley were stepping down onto the path of white fabric and heading toward the arbor. Behind them, Charisma and her groomsman waited their turn.
The Detective Wins The Witch (Nocturne Falls Book 10) Page 22
