by Leigh Duncan
“I knew we could count on you, Jason. Now, what about today?”
He glanced at the old ship’s clock on the bookcase. “She told Evelyn she had work to do this morning and would be down around ten. You’re on tap to take her into town and introduce her to a few people.”
“I’d planned to drop in on Forget Me Knot, I Do Cakes, and The Memory Box and introduce her to Mildred, Nick, and Helen. They’re expecting us.”
Greg had chosen wisely. Although they relied on everyone in the village to do their part, Jason and the mayor, along with those three prominent business owners had spear-headed the efforts to retain the town’s number one ranking.
“But that was supposed to be on Saturday. I’m not sure I can get away from the shop today. What about the others?”
“Evelyn let them know about the change in schedule last night. They’re fine.” When Greg remained hesitant, he asked, “Is there a problem?”
“It’s the Smith wedding. The bride is coming in this morning. She’s decided she wants a different option for the vests. It’ll take the better part of the morning for me to reorder.” In addition to his duties as mayor, Greg owned Tux and Tails, the area’s best tuxedo shop.
Jason called up the Cottage’s master calendar. “That’s awfully late notice.” Featuring six bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen, the Smith wedding was one of a dozen-plus ceremonies that would take place in the mansion during Tara’s stay in Heart’s Landing. He rubbed his forehead and ran through a limited set of options. They couldn’t very well leave Tara to her own devices this early in the game. Someone would need to show her around town, introduce her to all the right people, and make sure she felt welcome. It was equally important to attain sheer perfection in every detail of the Smith wedding, doubly so since Tara’s engraved invitation to the event sat on his desk.
“It’s fine,” he said, instantly adjusting his own schedule for the day. “I’ll go into town with her. If you finish up and can meet with us for lunch, that’d be great.”
“We have one o’clock reservations at the White Dove Deli. I’ll do my best to be there.”
Whatever. In a town that prided itself on delivering the perfect wedding for every bride, Greg had his priorities straight. While the mayor took care of business, Jason would do his best to find out more about their mysterious visitor and whether or not she was lying to them all.
Heaven. She’d died and gone to heaven. Yesterday’s delay while housekeeping had prepped her suite had been worth every minute. The staff had thought of everything, from designer soaps and lotions to a selection of snacks in the mini-fridge beneath the wet bar.
Tara pulled the Egyptian cotton up around her neck and ran a languid hand over the soft sheets. Scads of comfy pillows and a mattress that was sheer perfection had provided her with a solid six hours of deep, dreamless sleep. A definite improvement over the thin, fitful nights she spent in the city that never slept. Where taxi horns peppered the air, even in her fifth-floor walk-up, and her neighbor played his sax into the wee hours on the fire escape. No wonder she never quite felt rested there. Unlike here, where she ought to be exhausted after traveling all day, traipsing all over the Captain’s Cottage, and working in the library until well past midnight.
When Regina had suggested she go through Captain Thaddeus’s ship’s logs with a fine-toothed comb, she hadn’t realized it’d be such a massive undertaking. The good captain had worked the trade routes between Europe and the Americas for well over a decade and recorded something about every one of his days at sea. Last night, she’d managed to read only a single year’s worth of entries. While she’d been able to skim past routine reports on the day’s rations and weather or the status of the heart he was carving for his wife, she’d become engrossed by a few events. Like the day the Mary S had happened upon a pod of blue whales a hundred miles off the coast. The gentle giants had entertained the crew for hours before diving deep and swimming away. Storms and rain squalls had buffeted the ship often enough that they’d hardly required a mention. But every once in a while, the tri-mast ran afoul of a monstrous storm. Captain Thaddeus had been quick to give his crew credit for furling the sails and comporting themselves well during those harried days. She thought she might rather like him, if he were still alive.
Had Jason inherited his ancestor’s strength of character? His drive?
The man was certainly the spitting image of his great-great-great-grandfather. Granted, she didn’t know everything there was to know about Jason Heart. But she liked what she’d learned about him during the few hours they’d spent together. He radiated charm and good manners. Well educated, he’d spent years preparing himself for the daunting task of running the Captain’s Cottage. His loyalty to Heart’s Landing was one of his most endearing qualities, but more than that, he had a sense of place, of family, that was rare in this day and age of mobile-everything. If he lived in New York, he was the kind of man she’d be interested in getting to know better. But he didn’t. For the short time she’d be here, she’d have to ignore the warmth she felt every time she thought of him.
Other things weren’t as easy to overlook. Like the way her shoulders and chest tightened whenever she considered how her success might impact the Captain’s Cottage—and the rest of Heart’s Landing. If there was one thing she hated about her assignment, that was it. Yet, she couldn’t fail. Couldn’t walk away from the job, no matter who got hurt. Regina had given her one opportunity to prove herself. She had to succeed now that she finally had a chance to become a real journalist—the one thing she had her heart set on doing.
Every entry she’d read in the captain’s logs so far supported Heart’s Landing’s claim that the town was built on true love. But there had to be something in the diaries and journals to disprove that story. She simply had to find it, and she would. Maybe as soon as today.
Dressed for the day in slacks and one of her favorite tops, she slipped on a pair of walking shoes and followed the scent of fresh-brewed coffee down the staircase. Brides and their families occupied several of the tables in the dining room. She chose an out-of-the-way seat in a corner. Once her laptop booted up, the internet service proved every bit as reliable as Jason had sworn it would be, and soon, the first of her daily reports was winging its way through cyberspace to Regina.
Her first task complete, she helped herself from urns that offered a variety of beverage choices. Sipping excellent coffee, she sorted through her inbox until she reached an email from Van. Her hand shook as she read the news that one of the hardest-working interns had been let go without a reference after incurring their boss’s wrath over a minor matter. Her stomach tightened. Regina had made it very plain that she’d suffer the same fate if she failed to dig up some dirt on Captain Thaddeus.
Deciding that the situation at work warranted a second cup of coffee, she logged off. At the buffet, she surveyed a tantalizing array of breakfast foods while she refilled her cup. She was still debating between a yummy-looking egg dish and sweet rolls when a low murmur drifted in from the hall. Seconds later, Jason rounded the corner with two women close on his heels. The trio made a beeline for her.
“Good morning. Did you enjoy your first night in the Captain’s Cottage?” Jason lifted a mug from the stand. “Is there anything you need to make your stay more enjoyable?”
Tara sipped her coffee while he fixed his. “Not a thing,” she answered honestly. “I can’t imagine a lovelier place for a bride and groom to spend their wedding night. You’ve really thought of everything.”
“That’s wonderful to hear,” the dark-haired woman beside Jason put in.
Jason cleared his throat. “Tara, this is Alicia Thorne, the Cottage’s Event Planner. Alicia, Tara Stewart. Alicia knows all about the weddings we’ll be hosting here this week. You’ve been invited to most of them. I thought she might be able to help you select the ones you’d like to attend.”
“It
’s nice to meet you, Alicia.” Tara extended a hand. “Jason and Evelyn have had very nice things to say about you.” She eyed the woman who’d been in charge when Regina’s wedding had fallen apart. The white streaks that salted her otherwise dark hair and the laugh lines carved into her cheeks gave her a seasoned, experienced look. The flattering top she wore over navy blue slacks and low-heeled pumps completed an outfit that was both professional and approachable.
“We’re thrilled to have you here, Ms. Stewart.”
“Tara, please,” she corrected, noting the warmth in Alicia’s firm grip. “My mom is the only Ms. Stewart in our family.”
“Tara.” Even, white teeth showed in Alicia’s smile. “And this is Jennifer Bell.” She turned to a petite brunette who had doe-like eyes. “Jenny is my right hand. If you need anything while you’re here, one of us will be happy to get it for you.”
“You must be the newlywed Evelyn mentioned,” Tara said, recognizing the name. “Congratulations!”
“That’s sweet of you, Tara. Welcome to Heart’s Landing.” Jenny shuffled a stack of embossed card stock. “The Captain’s Cottage hosts ceremonies every day of the week, but as you can imagine, the schedule gets a bit hectic on the weekends. We thought, if it was all right with you, we’d sort through these wedding invitations over breakfast. Between us, Alicia and I can fill you in on the size of the guest lists and the brides’ themes, and point out any items of particular interest.”
“That works for me,” Tara agreed, setting aside her plan to spend the morning in the library. The opportunity to talk with Alicia and Jenny was too good to pass up. She didn’t add that she’d be keeping a sharp look-out for problems. Or that, from what Regina had told her, there were bound to be plenty.
“We have fourteen weddings scheduled here this week.” Alicia took a plate from the buffet and served herself as she spoke. “They range from a small affair at the gazebo for family and a few guests one evening to the Garrison wedding on Saturday. That bride has chosen a tropical theme you might enjoy. Then, there’s the Smith wedding in the Green Room next Wednesday. Jason and Evelyn will perform as Captain Thaddeus and Mary for over three hundred guests.”
Tara stole a quick glance at Jason, her stomach giving a happy shimmy when she imagined him dressed as the seafaring captain. His height alone gave him a commanding presence. Decked out in all the trappings of his famous ancestor, he’d make an imposing figure.
“Don’t forget Bessie Glover’s ceremony.”
Tara threw a net over thoughts that had swerved off-course. Regina hadn’t sent her here to daydream about handsome sailors. She’d been sent to dig up dirt on Heart’s Landing. With a renewed determination to uncover all she could about what went on behind the scenes in the Captain’s Cottage, Tara fixed her focus on Jenny.
“Her nieces will be the flower girls, and they’re just adorable.”
Nieces. Flower girls. Right.
Over a breakfast casserole her father would have been proud to serve in his Savannah restaurant, she listened while Alicia and Jenny provided insights into a dozen or so ceremonies. The more the women talked, the more impressed Tara grew at the planning that had gone into each event. Alicia, especially, seemed so prepared that Tara found herself questioning how Regina’s wedding could have gone awry. As she chose three of the ceremonies to attend, she eyed the older woman over her coffee cup. She couldn’t help but wonder if there was another side to Regina’s story, and considered asking about it. When Jason casually shifted away from the table, though, she put her questions on hold for the time being.
“Whenever you’re ready, I’ll take you into town, introduce you to some of the key members of our business community,” he offered.
Spending time with Jason sounded a whole lot better than discussing her boss’s ill-fated wedding plans. She closed her notebook and smiled at the tall man beside her. “I’d like that. I want to visit a few of the shops and get a feel for what makes Heart’s Landing such a popular place.”
“We’re all set then? Meet here in…” Jason waited for her answer.
“Five minutes?” She said, filling in the blank. “I just need to grab my camera and drop my laptop off in my room.” She glanced down, surprised to see that while they’d talked, she’d cleaned her plate.
“Terrific.” Jason grabbed his phone. “I’ll wait for you in the foyer. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll let everyone know we’re on our way.” Their eyes met as he stood. For a long second, he lingered, his phone in his hand. Just when Tara was going to ask if he needed something else, he pressed the device to his ear and strode from the room.
Ten minutes later, Jason escorted her to a serviceable town car parked under the porte cochere. “We’ll start with a visit to one of my favorite places in Heart’s Landing, Forget Me Knot Florist on Bridal Carriage. For over forty years, the shop has been a mainstay for brides who want only the best.”
Tara bit back a smile. Jason didn’t know it, but their first stop was sure to point out one of Heart’s Landing’s flaws. It’d be difficult for any florist, no matter how long they’d been around, to compete with New York’s flower district. At least once a week, she rose early and roamed up and down the aisles, choosing an exotic orchid for a friend’s birthday one time, assembling a bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers to brighten her cubicle at work another. So far from the hustle and bustle of the big city, she doubted Heart’s Landing could even offer half as many choices.
Her conviction suffered a minor setback a few minutes later, however, when she stepped beneath a rose-colored awning. She whipped out her camera, unable to pass up the chance to capture one of the prettiest table settings she’d ever seen. In the display window, floral swags created curtains around an elegant centerpiece that dripped orchids on satin ribbons from a stunning arrangement of ivory roses, hydrangeas, and wispy baby’s breath. From an open doorway came the heady scent of flowers and greenery.
Tara took a deep breath. Somewhere in the mix, she caught the sweet, sweet smell of hyacinth. The flowers grew everywhere in Savannah, and a wave of homesickness swept over her. How many Saturday afternoons had she and her mom spent on their knees in the flower beds around their home? Back then, she’d complained about the late-summer sun that had beaten down on her while she’d worked fresh compost into the soil, dug holes, and planted bulbs pointy side up. But it had been worth every bit of effort when the hyacinths bloomed in the spring. Now, with Jason trailing in her wake, she followed their scent, wandering an aisle crowded with beautiful arrangements until she reached the counter where her favorite flower bloomed in clay pots.
“I’m Mildred Morey. Welcome to Forget Me Knot Florist.” Her silvery hair shining, a woman wearing a green apron over a rounded middle stepped forward. “It’s such an honor to welcome you to Heart’s Landing.”
Tara wrenched her gaze from the flowers that reminded her so much of home. “You have a beautiful shop, Ms. Morey.”
“All my friends call me Mildred. I hope you will, too.” A pleased smile played about the owner’s lips. “As for Forget Me Knot, we do our best to give every bride her dream wedding. Flowers play a huge role in her special day.”
Tara whipped out her notebook. She refused to let herself get so taken in by the cuteness of the shop that she forgot what she’d come here to accomplish. She glanced over a list of questions Regina had provided. “If I was planning a wedding, what could I expect you to do for me?”
Mildred maintained a steady smile while she spoke. “We handle everything, from the initial design work to the final delivery and cleanup. Our brides trust us to take care of every detail while they relax and enjoy their special day.”
The answer was exactly what she’d expect from a top-notch florist, but her next question was sure to uncover Forget Me Knot’s weak spot. “And if a bride wants something really exotic?” She waited for Mildred to prove her right.
“I think th
e best way to answer that question is to show you our workroom.” Mildred led the way between swinging doors to an area where dozens of varieties of flowers crowded immense glass-fronted coolers. “We like to say that this is where the magic happens.”
Long wooden work tables filled a space the size of a small gym. Beyond them, colorful ribbons spilled from large reels along the back wall. Vases in every shape and size lined sturdy-looking shelves. At one of the tables, a young man and woman wrapped satin tape around the base of boutonnieres that featured Birds of Paradise. Farther down, another pair of workers skillfully assembled lilies, waxy leaves, and frangipani into low centerpieces. The back room smelled like Hawaii and, for a second, Tara could almost see palm trees and women in grass skirts.
“You asked about exotic flowers.” Mildred plucked a stem from a cluster of bright red blossoms. “The Garrison wedding is a good example. It has a tropical theme.”
Tara nodded. The ceremony was one of three she’d chosen to attend. “This is all pretty amazing,” she admitted, “but what if a bride chooses flowers that are out of season? Or impossibly costly?”
Mildred’s lips thinned. “I never encourage false expectations. If she has her heart set on heirloom roses, and my suppliers can’t get them, or they’re out of her budget, I let her know up front. We can usually find a substitute. Once in a while, though, the bride will go somewhere else. In which case, I wish her the best. The important thing, no matter what, is her happiness.”
A heaviness draped itself across Tara’s shoulders. Discovering the town’s Achilles heel might be more difficult than she’d anticipated. She tapped her pen against her notebook. “What was your biggest challenge this year?”
