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Marcus turned toward Caitey and gazed at her, lifting her hand to kiss the back like a 19th-century gentleman. “You are a vision, Caitey,” he said in a deep voice. “Perfection.”
“You’re looking mighty fine yourself, Mr. Stirling,” she said, her chin lifting. “I didn’t know you cleaned up so well.”
A grin spread over his face, and his eyes crinkled at her teasing. “Hey, I’ll take whatever you give me.”
Caitey tapped a finger against her lips. “I do have one final question for you, Mr. Stirling.”
“What’s that, lovely Caitey?”
“If you’re standing with Logan as best man, how can you possibly take pictures, too?”
“I’m one step ahead of you. I showed Reginald how to work my camera, and he’ll be snapping all evening. At least through the ceremony.”
“You think of everything,” she said, batting her eyelashes.
“I aim to please,” he said, his lipscurving into a smile.
“The bride is at the top of the stairs!” Aunt Vicki announced excitedly. “Come in and take your seats, everyone. No—choose your seats but remain standing for the wedding procession.”
“Oh! I must get up there to comeback downas the bridesmaid!” Caitey slipped her hand from Marcus’s grasp, picked up the skirts of her gown, and ran up the staircase. Jenna stood waiting at the top, gnawing at her lips while Caitey’s jaw dropped. “You looksogorgeous, Jenna,” she hissed. “Truly, your dress is magnificent. Definitely made just for you!”
“A far cry from my stained apron at the Coffee Loft, right?” Jenna quipped.
“Stop chewing on your mouth; your lipstick is coming off and will stain your teeth!” Caitey giggled.
“Is it too late to back out?” Jenna suddenly said in a low, panicked voice. “Terror just hit me right in the gut!”
Caitey held both her hands in her own. “Cold feet are normal. This is the moment it hits you. The magnitude of what’s about to happen. You’re becoming Mrs. Logan Hearst for the rest of your life, from this night forward—”
Jenna’s eyes grew wider with panic.
“Okay, I’m shutting up now.” Caitey squeezed her hand. “Girl, youwantto marry that man, Mr. Logan Hearst. You will have the best honeymoon, live happily ever after, and have beautiful, perfect children. This is a wedding to remember, and we’ll all be telling stories for years to come. Don’t let a few jitters get to you.”
“What would I have done without you, Caitey?”
“You would have eloped. But now we all get to see your ceremony, and we get to eat Gus’s fantastic food and that cake—wowza, we’ll each have three pieces . . .”
Jenna finally grinned and gave a relieved little laugh. “I’m so glad you’re my wedding planner. You always make me laugh. I confess I wanted perfection, but life doesn’t work like that. But Loganisperfection. And I love him with my whole soul.”
“Whew! Glad we got that out of the way!” Caitey said, teasing her. “Then I think we’re gonna have us a wedding ceremony right now, girl! Follow me! If you fall on these stairs, I’ll be here to catch you.”
At that moment, the music downstairs swelled, and Caitey began to descend, followed by Jenna a few steps behind.
The music was soothing and beautiful while Caitey took one slow step at a time.
When she arrived at the doors to the drawing room, she gasped in sheer delight. The beautiful flowers scenting the air, and the magnificent glowing candles had created a fairy tale.
Caitey tried to remain demure as she approached the aisle between the two rows of chairs, where everyone stood with huge smiles on their faces, watching the small procession.
The music swelled a little louder as Jenna stood in her gorgeous white gown in thedoorway. She looked like a queen with her thick blonde hair piled beautifully on her head while diamond teardrop earrings dangled against her neck. Her bridal bouquet, filled with blood-red orchids and lilies, was stunning.
Bless that exasperating and delicious Marcus Stirling!
CHAPTER 21
CAITEY
Instinctively, as soon as Caitey thought of him, her eyes darted toward where he was standing next to Logan in front of the minister.
