Hometown Girl: The Chesapeake Diaries

by Mariah Stewart

  “Wade is the only person I want to make that walk with.”

  “Will your mother be there?” Stef asked, knowing that Dallas and Wade’s mother hadn’t been a big part of their lives for a long time.

  Dallas shrugged but made no comment.

  “You should talk to Grace.” Brooke was still thinking about the logistics of the actual wedding and the reception. “You know that her daughter, Lucy, is an event planner in California, right? Maybe some of your Hollywood friends have even used her. I heard she’s really popular.”

  “If she’s really good, she’ll be busy out there,” Dallas said. “Grace did say she’s been trying to get Lucy to come back to St. Dennis and take over the wedding part of the business, but Lucy isn’t interested.”

  “Lucy and my brother, Clay, went all through school together,” Brooke recalled. “They used to be good friends, but I don’t think they keep in touch anymore.”

  “Well, it would be nice if the inn had someone who didn’t seem to be overwhelmed every time I called her.” Dallas took the stool next to Brooke. “Madeline seems to be in a perpetual state of confusion.”

  “So have you and Wade set a date yet?” Brooke turned to Steffie. “Or will you be saving that bit of info to make an announcement at your engagement party?”

  Steffie shook her head. “We can’t decide on a date.”

  “What’s the problem?” Dallas asked.

  “We just have different ideas, that’s all,” Steffie explained.

  “Like what?” Dallas persisted.

  “Like just stuff.”

  “Talk, Stephanie.”

  “I can’t.” Steffie shook her head.

  “Why not?”

  “Because she doesn’t want to upset you, that’s why,” Vanessa chimed in.

  Dallas glanced from Vanessa to Steffie. “One of you will have to tell me.”

  “Steffie always wanted a winter wedding.” Vanessa blurted it out. “But since you’re getting married in December, she feels like she can’t.”

  “Ness.” Stef turned to her friend. “Shut. Up.”

  “I don’t understand.” Dallas frowned.

  “It’s all about asking people to make the trip twice, you know, one wedding right after the other …” Stef began to fidget. She turned to Vanessa. “Did someone say there would be wine?”

  Vanessa took a bottle of Chardonnay from the refrigerator. “Who besides Stef?” she asked.

  Brooke and Dallas both raised their hands.

  “If you always dreamed of a winter wedding, you should have a winter wedding,” Dallas told her. “Grant and I can wait till spring.”

  “No. You have dibs,” Stef protested. “You got engaged first. And you already reserved the date at the inn.”

  “So you and Wade take the date,” Dallas offered.

  Steffie shook her head. “All along you’ve been saying that you wanted the wedding behind you before spring because you’re going to be tied up with your movie.”

  “Well, that part is true, but—”

  “I have the solution.” Brooke pinged a fingertip against the side of her wineglass to get their attention. “You both get married in December at the inn. On the same day.”

  “What?” Steffie frowned.

  “Wow, that could be very cool,” Vanessa said. “If, of course, you’d both be all right with that.”

  “Interesting idea.” Dallas considered. “We’d be inviting a lot of the same people, so they would only have to make the trip once. We could reserve the inn for the entire day, and—”

  “Your wedding is going to be much bigger than ours. We’re small town. You’re Hollywood.”

  “Hollywood and small town,” Dallas reminded her. “I like to think we’re both.”

  “Your Hollywood friends won’t care a fig about seeing Wade and me married,” Stef continued.

  “Why don’t you have one ceremony in the afternoon, and the other in the evening?” Brooke suggested. “Cocktail hour in between ceremonies. Big blowout reception after the second one.”

  “We’ve already decided that what we really want is a big party. After all, this is the second wedding for both Grant and me,” Dallas reminded them. “But having both on the same day could be fun. What do you think, Stef?”

  “I think you’re all bat-shit crazy if you think I’m going to set myself up to be compared to Dallas MacGregor on my wedding day.”

  “What are you talking about?” Dallas frowned.

  “You’re going to be the most beautiful bride that ever was.” Stef replied. “I’m—”

  “You’re the woman my brother fell in love with,” Dallas told her gently, “and you will be a drop-dead, stunningly magnificent bride.”

  Steffie sniffed and Vanessa went for the tissues.

  “That’s so nice of you to say, but …” Steffie held out a hand and Vanessa handed her a tissue.

  “No buts. Let’s look at the bottom line. You’re right to consider that some members of your family will have to travel a distance to get here. I know I’ll need to talk to Grant—and of course you’ll discuss it with Wade—but as far as I’m concerned, I would love to share my wedding day with you and Wade. It’s up to you, of course, but that’s my two cents.”

  “It could be really fun, Stef. A big family affair. Brother and sister marrying brother and sister.” Vanessa refilled everyone’s wineglass. “Why don’t you think it over and talk to Wade?”

  “I haven’t even started looking for a dress,” Steffie reminded them.

  “We’ll go to Annapolis tomorrow,” Dallas told her. “And if they can’t accommodate you there, we’ll go to New York. We will find the dress of your dreams and it will be ready by December.”

  “This will really throw Madeline for a loop. If she’s having trouble with just one wedding for that date, how do you think she’ll handle two?” Brooke glanced from friend to friend.

  “Probably not very well,” Dallas conceded.

  “Which means we have to work on Grace to get Lucy back here, even if it’s just for your wedding.” Brooke thought it over for a moment. “Maybe you need to remind Grace that this is Dallas MacGregor. This wedding will draw a lot of attention to the inn. It could be great publicity for them, especially since they’re actively trying to build up their reputation as a wedding destination.”

  “Grace isn’t the problem, it’s Lucy. She’s the one who hasn’t wanted to come back here,” Vanessa reminded them. “But someone should point out to Grace that if they are trying to establish the Inn at Sinclair’s Point as the go-to place on the Eastern Shore, they need to hire someone who can handle anything that’s being thrown at them. Madeline’s a sweet girl, but she doesn’t seem to have much confidence in herself.”

  “I have the feeling she doesn’t have a lot of experience,” Dallas added. “I wonder why Grace hired her.”

  “It wasn’t Grace,” Brooke told her, “it was Daniel. He knew he was in over his head when he realized the number of weddings he had booked and he knows he doesn’t have the temperament or the background to handle anything but small weddings. He mentioned once that he doesn’t even really like doing those. Said he’s an innkeeper, not an event planner, doesn’t like dealing with all the little details, which is why he put the ad out for a professional. Madeline was the first person to respond to the ad and I think she caught him at a moment when he was feeling overwhelmed and desperate.”

  “You’re right, of course. I’ll talk to Grace,” Dallas said. “I’ll tell her that things are going to get much more complicated with two weddings back-to-back. She won’t have a choice but to talk to Daniel. And with luck, between the two of them, they can convince Lucy to come back, even if it’s only for us for that one day. For Lucy to stay in business for any length of time out in L.A., she has to be good, and she has to have experience with long guest lists and big affairs.”

  “Maybe Daniel will have more luck with his sister than his mother did,” Brooke noted.

  “On
e can hope.” Vanessa pulled up a stool and sat. “Now, to get back to the business at hand, that being the party we’re supposed to be planning. Though we all know this ‘meeting’ was merely an excuse for the four of us to get together, drink wine, and eat delicious cupcakes.”

  “The cupcakes will be ready for Saturday,” Brooke told them. “Assuming, of course, that you like what you sampled, Stef.”

  “I feel I can’t really make a decision without trying one of each.” Stef smiled. “Or at the very least, one of the fruity ones. Perhaps the lemon. Or maybe the strawberry …”

  “I can attest to the fabulosity of the lemon,” Vanessa said.

  “The strawberry is equally fabulous,” Dallas assured her.

  “But of course, if you feel you must …” Brooke moved the tray of cupcakes closer to Stef.

  “I had one. I’ll resist the temptation to have another.” Steffie sighed. “But, Brooke, I think you should be selling these in my shop. What’s more wonderful together than ice cream and cake?”

  “Well, I admit, I had thought of asking you about that,” Brooke replied.

  “I get requests all the time for cakes to go with the ice cream I sell for kids’ parties and showers,” Stef continued. “It would be great if you had some samples right there in the shop so customers could try them out. And after school I am deluged with hungry kids. Maybe we could work out a cupcake-and-one-scoop special.”

  “Whenever you say, I’ll bring down a tray.” Brooke’s heart danced in her chest. She’d been wanting to approach Steffie about selling her cupcakes from the very popular ice-cream shop for the past couple of weeks, but wasn’t sure how Stef would feel about it. “Just give me a call.”

  “Whenever you have—let’s say, a dozen, dozen and a half—bring them down. You don’t need an invitation. Just pack them up and bring them. And hope that I and my staff are able to resist eating them before we can sell them. If you have more of those”—Stef pointed to the tray—“at home, you can bring them down tomorrow.” She picked up one of the cupcakes and turned it around. “These would be darling for a shower. Baby or bridal.”

  “I actually have other designs in mind for showers. Some, I might add, are quite adorable,” Brooke said modestly.

  “You should make up a few and we’ll put them on the counter under a glass dome,” Steffie told her. “And bring your business cards down so that everyone knows that they’re yours. St. Dennis loves to support its own, you know.”

  “Thank you, Stef.” Brooke smiled. “I appreciate it.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Stef turned to Vanessa. “So what else do we have to discuss tonight?”

  “Just the ice cream for the party …”

  “Which I am taking care of myself,” Stef reminded her.

  “What kind are you making?” Brooke asked.

  “It’ll be a surprise, but it will be something really, really good,” Stef assured her.

  “It won’t be beer flavored, will it?” Vanessa frowned.

  “Why would I make ice cream that tastes like beer?” Stef stared at Vanessa.

  “Well, you know, because Wade owned a brewery. Beer is his life,” Vanessa explained.

  Stef rolled her eyes. “Remind me to consult with you the next time I’m stumped for a new and exciting flavor.”

  Dallas pulled a pen and a small notebook from her bag and opened it.

  “So the cupcakes are under control, as is the ice cream.” She crossed two items off her list. “And the caterer has the final count?”

  “I’ll give it to them on Thursday morning,” Vanessa told her. “I don’t know that there will be any changes, though. Anyone?”

  The other three women shook their heads.

  “Petals and Posies will bring the flowers over on Saturday morning,” Vanessa continued, “and that’s about it for the party. Except, of course, to add that if you’re looking for something new and gorgeous to wear, I just took a delivery this afternoon of some stunning little numbers. Nice discount if any of you are interested.” Vanessa’s shop, Bling, carried upscale clothes and accessories, and she was always generous in offering discounts to her friends.

  “Thanks, Ness, but I’m set,” Steffie told her.

  “Me, too.” Dallas closed the notebook and dropped it into her bag along with the pen.

  “I might take you up on that,” Brooke said. “It’s been a while since I bought something new.”

  “I have just the perfect dress for you. Gorgeous shade of green to set off your eyes.”

  “I’ll be in to take a look.”

  “Are you bringing a date?” Steffie drained the wine from her glass.

  “Me? Nah.” Brooke brushed off the question.

  “You’re welcome to bring someone if you like.” Steffie stood and stretched. “You know that, right?”

  Brooke nodded. “Thanks, but I’m good.”

  “If you want, I can have Grant bring that new vet that just moved to Ballard …” Dallas offered.

  “No, thanks. I’m okay going stag.”

  “It’s not like there aren’t any guys in St. Dennis who wouldn’t be more than happy to be your date for the evening,” Steffie noted.

  “Stop. You’re starting to sound like my brother,” Brooke griped. “And I don’t mean that in a good way.”

  “I just wanted you to know that you were welcome to bring someone,” Vanessa said, and Stef nodded in agreement.

  “I appreciate that, but no thank you. Besides, anyone I asked would think that I was interested and I’d never get rid of him.”

  “And besides, too, every eligible guy in town has asked her out at one time or another,” Stef reminded them, “and she’s sent them all packing.”

  Not quite everyone, Brooke could have told them. One eligible guy had noticeably not asked her out.

  “I haven’t met anyone I wanted to spend any time with.”

  Brooke took a few flat white boxes from her bag and began to assemble them.

  “What are they for?” Dallas asked.

  “So you all can take the leftovers home. I know that your aunt Berry has a fierce sweet tooth,” she told Dallas.

  “That’s so nice.” Dallas kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks so much.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Brooke split the little cakes equally between the three boxes and left them on the counter. “I should get going. I want to see Logan before he falls asleep. I’ll see you all on Saturday.”

  “Thanks for the bringing the refreshments.”

  “You’re welcome, Ness.” Brooke opened the front door. The wind had picked up since she arrived earlier, and a cool shot of air hit her in the face. She lowered her head as she headed out.

  “Wait up,” Steffie called just as Brooke was about to close the door behind her. “I’ll walk out with you.”

  “Brr, it’s getting chillier every day.” Brooke huddled inside her sweater and watched a small tornado of leaves spin across the front lawn.

  “I know. We both should have worn jackets.” Steffie followed Brooke down the sidewalk.

  Brooke stepped into the street and stopped in front of her car. “Stef, I really do appreciate your offer to sell my cupcakes at Scoop. I want you to think about what percent of the sales you want.”

  “What are you talking about? You mean charge you?” Steffie frowned. “I’m not going to charge you for bringing them in.”

  “But you’ll be taking your time …”

  Steffie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, as much time as it takes for me to say, ‘Would you like a cupcake with your ice cream?’ and ‘Which flavor?’ ”

  “Still, I think I should …”

  “And I think you shouldn’t. If you want to do anything at all, just pay it forward someday when you get the chance.”

  “That’s very nice of you.”

  “People were very kind to me when I first started Scoop, gave me breaks that I didn’t expect. It’s my turn now. Someday it’ll be yours.”

  “Thanks, Stef.�
� Brooke unlocked the car with the remote.

  “You’re welcome. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow, right?” Stef called over her shoulder as she hurried against the wind to her car.

  “Right. See you then.” Brooke opened the driver’s-side door and slid behind the wheel of her old Toyota. She took her time getting her seat belt on and the key into the ignition. Stef’s unexpected kindness had almost brought tears to her eyes. Not that Stef would have made very much off a few dozen cupcakes, but still, it was the gesture that mattered.

  Brooke shifted into gear and headed toward the farm, the game plan for her business running through her head. She really believed that if you visualized what you wanted often enough, sooner or later it would become reality. So in her mind’s eye, she saw her cupcakes displayed on a tiered stand on the counter at Scoop. Then she visualized the stand empty after all the little cakes had been sold. She saw them in the front case at Cuppachino, the coffee shop where the local merchants met early in the morning before they opened their respective establishments and stopped in for a quick bite at lunchtime. She saw them on the dessert cart at Café Lola, St. Dennis’s upscale dining spot. She saw herself making her deliveries—and for a while, even selling down in the municipal parking lot—from a pink van with a big pink-frosted cupcake on the side. Lastly, she saw them in the window of her own shop on Charles Street, right in the very heart of the business district. There’d be an old-fashioned striped awning and fancy letters spelling out the name: CUPCAKE.

  Every journey begins with a single step, she reminded herself. Tonight, she’d taken hers. Feeling better about things than she had all day, she drove slowly up the long drive to the farmhouse, envisioning herself behind the wheel of her van, then eventually, turning the sign in the window of her shop from CLOSED to OPEN.

  She parked the car near the back gate and got out, pausing for a moment to look up for a star to wish on. It didn’t occur to her until much later that, for the first time in a very long time, her wish had been all about her and her plans for the future—I wish this could work out for me—and not about her past.

  Chapter 3

  WOW, they look great.” Clay reached a hand out just as Brooke began to arrange cupcakes in the covered carrier she would use to transport her carefully crafted creations to Scoop.