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Caitey laughed, swatting at his arm. “This sounds weird, but maybe it is . . . something has been nagging at my brain all day, and I can’t figure out what I forgot.” She jerked her head up when her brain clicked into gear. “The photographer! I never heard from him! We won’t have any pictures of the wedding! This is terrible!”
She ran into the dining room, where she had left her phone while decorating, and scrolled through emails, texts, and voicemails.
When she looked up again, Marcus was at her shoulder. “Any news?”
“Yes, he did call a few hours ago and left a message that he couldn’t get up the mountain. He lives in Santa Barbara and comes highly recommended.”
“You may not know this, Caitey, but I’m an amateur photographer. I’ve taken a few classes and have a good camera from my SEAL days. I’ll take the photos while the rest of you enjoy the ceremony.”
Caitey’s voice broke with emotion as she impulsively threw her arms around his neck. “You’re saving the day once more, Marcus Stirling, security man,” she said softly againsthis cheek. Wow, he even smelled good—all citrus musk with an outdoor scent from hiking through the forest roads.
Flustered, she brought her arms down. “Sorry for the exuberance,” she muttered, her face burning.
“Hey, I was hoping I might get a little closer to you,” he whispered, not letting her drop her hands all the way but sliding his own warm hands up along her arms to bring her closer.
Then Marcus wrapped his muscled arms around her waist and lifted her a few inches off the floor while she buried her face into his shoulder. The smell of flannel and sexy man was about to make her swoon.
“You’re strong,” she whispered into his ear jokingly.
“Nope, you’re light as a feather.”
“Um, you’d better let me down now; I hear Maggie and Gus and Reginald coming in through their wing of the house.”
Marcus gave a low growl, not wanting her to pull away. “Can’t let them catch us in a comprising position, can we?”
Caitey’s toes slipped to the floor while he kept her arms around his neck. “We arenotin a comprising position. I was thanking you.”
“Don’t let that stop you. I’ll need some more gratitude later tonight.”
“Cheeky SEAL,” she retorted, smothering another surge of laughter.
When Gus and the rest of the staffentered the kitchen, Caitey was busy clearing away the hot cocoa while Marcus headed upstairs to shower and change.
“Everything looks beautiful and delicious,” Caitey told Gus.
“I aim to please,” the cook said. “I had help from Maggie here, and Reginald has been taking care of the dining room and running upstairs for the rest of the family who need various items, like extra towels.”
“I’m off to shower and dress myself now,” Caitey said. “See you in thirty for the ceremony. Well, maybe forty-five minutes!” she added with a laugh.
First, she was going to check on the bride! Knocking quietly at Jenna’s door, Aunt Vicki immediately opened it and rushed Caitey inside. “Come look at our bride!”
Jenna stood in the center of the suite, moving in circles in front of two full-length mirrors. Mrs. Hearst clapped her hands together in delight. “You look stunning, my dear,” she said softly, kissing Jenna on the cheek and then holding both of Jenna’s hands in hers. “My husband and I could not be happier that this day has finally come. Logan loves you to pieces, and you are a splendid couple.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hearst,” Jenna whispered, smiling repeatedly at the sight in the mirrors.
“How many times must I ask you to call me Isabella, sweetheart? Mrs. Hearst is so formal. Especially after this crazy week of blizzards and having to develop a Plan B, C, and D to pull this off.”
Caitey took Jenna’s hands in hers. “You look smashing, woman!”
“I love my dress even more today than when I purchased it,” Jenna said. Her figure suited the mermaid style with its half-train, lace, and heart-shaped bodice.
“Your hair is perfection!” Caitey said. “Wow, Mrs. Hearst, you certainly know what you’re doing. And your makeup is stunning, Jenna. You’re like aVoguemodel.”
“And you are too funny, Caitey,” Jenna said.
Caitey shook her head. “Nope, you’re a princess about to marry her Prince Charming!”
“Is it true we have a minister here to perform the ceremony?” Jenna asked, still disbelieving.
