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The chill in the air bit at her cheeks. The crisp, pine-scented air of the winter forest sent a tiny shiver down Caitey’s back. A comforting fireplace and the faint smell of spiced cider would be perfect.
ItwasNovember, after all, but three weeks before Thanksgiving. They were in warmer Southern California rather than the Sierra Mountains in the northern part of the state where it might already besnowing, but that didn’t preclude the possibility of chilly weather or rain, especially this time of year. Most notably in the evening hours.
The wedding was planned for late afternoon, followed by a sit-down dinner inside the mansion where they could build a roaring fire, and nobody’s teeth would chatter.
A surge of enthusiasm bloomed in Caitey’s chest. This was the fun part. Putting all the pieces of a happy wedding together.
“Let’s go inside and say hello first,” Marcus said enthusiastically, carrying the cardboard Coffee Loft tray with the drinks he’d purchased for Logan and Jenna. “Then it’ll be all hands on deck to help unpack your car. It won’t take but a few minutes.”
“Thank you, that’s very thoughtful of you, Marcus,” she said, saying his name for the first time.
Clutching her handbag, Caitey took a deep breath and walked up the granite steps while Marcus opened the double doors.
The moment she stepped across the threshold, Jenna knocked her over to give her a huge bear hug.
“You’re here at last!” Jenna cried out.
Caitey hugged her back while Jenna whispered in her ear, “I can safely presume that Marcus took good care of you?”
“Of course. We just got a drink at the Coffee Loft. Thanks for suggesting it.”
“Sooo,” Jenna drawled, taking Caitey by the arm to pull her aside the moment Marcus slipped out of the room. “What do you think? He’s very handsome, as is Logan,although you haven’t met him yet. I know I’m talking like a giddy teenager, but I am giddy with love and my wedding!”
Caitey lowered her voice so as not to be overheard, omitting the details of seeing Marcus in the woods. “Well, of course, he’s good-looking. I have eyes, don’t I?”
Jenna’s vivacious personality reflected a great passion for life. Her radiant smile lit up her face, which was framed by loose waves of blonde hair that fell around her shoulders. Her eyes, a deep shade of hazel, revealed sparks of fun and warmth, but also determination and strength.
“You smell like the Coffee Loft,” Caitey teased. “I probably do, too, although I drank a soda.”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “I love my little shop so much I swear it gets in my hair and oozes out of my skin some days. Is it that bad?”
“No, you smell cozy and sweet from all the sugar. I’ll bet you’re the perfect hostess, making superb lattes and teas while chatting up your customers with your usual flair and making everyone feel at home.”
“I do love my job, but I love my wedding dress even more!” she sang. “Can’t wait to show you,” she whispered. “Girl time later tonight. Plan on it.”
Caitey couldn’t help laughing at her.
“Come meet Logan’s parents. They own this place, but don’t be intimidated.”
“How can Inotbe intimidated when this entry hall is so immense and gorgeous?” Caitey whispered.
Her eyes ran along the glossy marblefloors, the paintings, the thick Persian rugs, and the 15-foot carved ceiling. She leaned closer to her cousin. “When I got here, I swore I had arrived at Manderley from that book,Rebecca.The wild, tangled woods, the narrow road, the sight of the mansion house bursting onto the scene.”
Jenna grinned. “I see what you mean. Unfortunately, wedon’thave jagged cliffs overlooking the sea. That would be perfect, but thereisa lovely pond behind the garages. We’ll have to walk around the estate tomorrow while we discuss all the wedding details.”
A tall woman in her mid-fifties crossed the marble floors on high heels. She had a slender figure and elegant shoulder-length silver hair styled in soft waves. Her eyes were a striking green, and she wore classic tailored slacks with a cream-colored blouse.
“Mother,” Jenna called out, rushing over to give Victoria Thornton a hug. “Look, Caitey’s here at last!”
“Caitey, darling, you finally found us on the mountain!”
“Hello, Aunt Vicki,” Caitey said, relief at finally seeing her family after such a frustrating afternoon—even if therehadbeen a little bit of excitement with stalker guy AKA Marcus Stirling.
She glanced around the foyer and the large drawing room beyond several impressive Greco-style white columns. Sleek, polished staircases curving upward to the second floor.
Her nerves returned. She had never planned a wedding at such a lavish estate before. Caitey whipped around to see where Marcus had gone, but he’d already disappeared. Thatwas strange. Did he usually disappear like that? She assumed he’d greet everyone along with her.
Inwardly, she was amused. Perhaps there were more of those invisible cameras to install...
