The Room with the Second-Best View (24 page)

“About the pastor's office,” Aunt Lorna began, and Susan swallowed a groan. “Please tell me why you decided on that location instead of the sanctuary.” She leaned forward and held Susan's gaze. “Are you an atheist?”

Susan shook her head. “We didn't see the sense in using the sanctuary since we aren't having an actual wedding ceremony with music and guests and all that.”

A pained look settled on Aunt Lorna's face. “Explain to me again why we're not having guests.”

They'd gone over this a dozen times, but Susan exercised patience and repeated the explanation. “I've only lived in Goose Creek two years, and I spend all my time here at the clinic. My friends are mostly animals. Most of the people I know are pet owners. If I begin inviting clients, I'll have to invite them all, or someone's sure to feel left out. Before I know it, we'd end up inviting half the town. Neither Justin nor I are fond of big parties, so we want to celebrate our marriage privately.” She smiled. “With the people we truly love. Our family.”

There. Maybe flattery would work.

“That is very touching, my dear.” Aunt Lorna picked up Susan's hand and held it, patting it with her other. “I have a suggestion I'd like you to consider, but I don't want you to think I'm trying to meddle.”

A laugh almost escaped. Only with firm self-control was Susan able to keep a straight face. “What do you suggest?”

“What if we held the ceremony at the Richardsons' B&B?” She lifted a finger to forestall a quick answer. “Not a big wedding, merely the simple ceremony you and Justin have your hearts set on. A straightforward exchange of vows.”

Amazed that Justin's prediction had come true so soon, Susan opened her mouth to deliver a firm
no.

Aunt Lorna waved a hand. “Before you answer, allow me to point out a few things you may not have considered. First, there's the matter of your guests' comfort.”

“The pastor's office isn't uncomfortable. There's even a small sofa.”

“I'm sure it's quite cozy, but it can't possibly be as comfortable or as beautiful as Millie's parlor. Or the backyard, with that gazebo, and the sunlight filtering through the trees, and the flowers blooming all around.”

The image she painted rose in vivid detail in Susan's imagination. The B&B's grounds were full of charm. While Justin lived there, Susan had spent enough time cuddled with him in that gazebo to develop a sentimental attachment to it.

She shook herself. “I couldn't possibly impose on Millie and Al any more than I already have.”

“Susan dear, you know they wouldn't mind. It's obvious to anyone with eyes that they're fond of you and Justin. Otherwise they wouldn't have offered to host the reception. And then there's the matter of convenience.”

“Convenience?”

“Perhaps it has escaped your notice, but every one of your guests will already be at the B&B. Instead of asking us to pile into cars, drive across town to stand in a cramped office for a ten-minute ceremony, and then drive back for the reception, think how much easier it will be to walk downstairs.”

Susan had no ready reply. With the logistics laid out like that, Aunt Lorna's suggestion made perfect sense.

“Oh!” The woman held her hand in front of her mouth, eyes round. “I've just realized the reason you might not want to do that. How stupid of me.”

“What reason is that?”

“If you get married at the B&B, of course the Richardsons will be present. Excluding them would be inexcusably rude.” She leaned forward. “Not wanting them at your wedding is understandable. Millie is, after all, your employee.”

A hot flush stole up Susan's neck. She glanced at Alice, who couldn't help but overhear the conversation in the small reception area. Alice was bent over a patient's chart, scribbling with a pencil.

“That's not it at all,” Susan insisted. “We love Millie and Al. They've become like family to both of us.” She wanted to add,
Much closer than some family members.

“Then holding the wedding at their house will give you the perfect excuse to include them without the worry of offending others.” The smile on her face held a note of triumph. “I think it's an idea worth considering.”

Susan sat back in her chair, chagrined at the realization that she'd been manipulated again. But this change made so much sense. Never mind the fact that Millie's house was beautiful, thanks in part to Justin's handyman work on the renovations.

“Well.” Aunt Lorna rocked forward and stood. “You think about it. Discuss it with Justin, and let me know what you decide. Ross, would you mind driving me to that little town we passed through this morning? I glimpsed a quaint little tea shop I'd like to visit.”

“Might as well.” He unfolded his lanky frame. “I don't have anything else to do.”

Susan walked to the door, her stomach churning with discomfort. What would Justin say when she told him she wanted to get married at Millie's B&B? Probably that she'd just taken another step down that slippery slope.

But this was as far as she would go. From now on, Aunt Lorna's suggestions would be answered with a firm
no.
Of course, there couldn't be much more she'd want to change. Only one that Susan could think of.

She paused with her hand on the doorknob and looked the formidable lady directly in the eye. “Before you get any other ideas, I want to say that I will not wear a wedding gown. I already have my dress, and Justin is going to wear his suit.”

Disappointment flooded Aunt Lorna's eyes, which let Susan know she'd hit the nail on the head.

“What color is your dress?” she asked.

“Creamy white and tea length. It's bridal enough to be suitable, but I'll be able to wear it to dinner, or to church, or anywhere.”

The large nostrils flared. “It sounds very functional.”

The description gave Susan pause. Was that an insult or a compliment?

“Thank you,” she said, deciding on the latter.

When the pair had exited, Susan turned to Alice. “You are more than welcome to come to my wedding. I'd love to have you there.”

Grinning, Alice shook her head. “Thank you, but no. My feelings aren't hurt at all, so don't give it another thought.”

Forest piped up from the Kuddly Kitties area. “Can I come?”

Relieved that Alice wasn't offended, Susan turned toward the boys. “Sorry. Adults only.”

“Oh, man!” He slumped in his chair. “Grown-ups have all the fun.”

Not true,
she wanted to say. Playing computer games and drawing pictures sounded a lot more fun than nightly dinners with Aunt Lorna and gloomy Cousin Ross. Instead, she headed for the back to get Exam Room One ready for her next patient.

For nearly a decade, Millie and Violet had enjoyed a ritual tea on Thursday afternoons. Last week had been the first time they'd missed, except for vacations and holidays. Millie planned this one with extra care, viewing it as a celebration of their renewed friendship.

“You've gone all out,” Violet exclaimed upon entering the dining room and spying the linen napkins and the crystal dishes on the three-tiered serving tray. “I feel like the Queen of England.”

“We never used the dining room until Lorna arrived.” Millie indicated where Violet should sit. “And I was thinking what a shame that is. High tea should be taken in elegant surroundings, don't you think?”

“You took the words right out of my mouth.” Violet sat and eyed the treats. “You made my favorite mini scones and fake Devonshire cream. Thank you.”

“Of course.” Millie removed the tea cozy and tapped a finger on the side of the china pot to test the temperature before filling Violet's cup and then her own.

“I don't remember that tray. Is it new?”

Millie followed Violet's gaze to the silver serving tray on the sideboard. “It's a gift from Lorna. She gave me the matching chafing dish too.”

“Looks expensive. Is that real silver?”

“Oh, I'm sure it's just silver plated.” Millie set her teacup in the saucer. “Honestly, she gives me so many gifts, it's embarrassing.”

Violet put two scones and three cucumber sandwiches on her plate. “The reason's clear as a bell. She's trying to curry favor.”

“That must be it, though I hate to think anyone would feel the need to buy my cooperation.”

Violet paused in the act of serving herself a spoonful of chocolate-covered almonds. “What does she want you to cooperate with?”

“The wedding.” Selecting a scone, Millie shook her head. “I've told her I'm thrilled Susan agreed to have the ceremony and the reception here. But apparently Lorna feels like she has to bribe me into agreeing. And it's not just me. You should see all the stuff she's bought for Susan and Justin.”

Violet slurped from her cup and then set it back in the saucer. “Maybe she's insecure and feels like she has to buy people's affection.”

“Possibly, but I think there's more to it than that.” Millie glanced toward the doorway that led to the entry hall. Lorna and Ross had left several hours ago for another driving tour of the area. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

They left their tea on the table, and Millie led Violet upstairs.

“Every day she gets new deliveries. Wedding gifts, she says. I've seen more of the FedEx man this week than I have of Albert.”

At the top of the stairs, she approached the Bo Peep room on tiptoes, which was silly since she knew no one was inside. Still, she was probably violating some sort of ethics code by showing a guest's room to a friend. But Violet could be trusted.

“Every day when I come in here to make up her bed, it looks worse.” She twisted the antique crystal doorknob and threw the door open.

The beautiful soft shell pink paint they'd selected for the walls could barely be glimpsed behind the boxes stacked nearly to the ceiling. The armchair Lorna had purchased sat in the center of the room, squarely in front of the television Justin had installed on the chest of drawers, surrounded by cartons. Lorna had obviously been using one large box as a TV tray, for the cardboard surface bore cookie crumbs and ring-shaped stains as though from a glass or mug. The beautiful area rug she'd purchased was visible only in a wide path that led from the bed to the bathroom.

Violet gasped. “Good gracious, the woman's a hoarder.”

“I think she must be.” Millie shook her head. “Or maybe she's just addicted to shopping. Every time a new delivery arrives, she says it's another gift for the happy couple. Or for me. Or today, for Ross.”

The rumble of a muffler in need of repair drifted in through an open window at the other end of the hallway. That could only be Ross's car.

“It's them!”

Millie slammed the door shut and followed Violet down the stairs at a trot. They dashed into the dining room. By the time the front door opened, they were both seated at the table, sipping their tea with pinkies extended.

When Lorna spied them her eyes lit. “I'd no idea you indulged in the habit of afternoon tea.”

Millie displayed a calm smile that did not betray her pounding heart. “Would you like to join us?”

“I would love to.”

While she selected a seat, Millie rose to fetch another teacup and plate from the sideboard. “Ross, would you like some tea?”

The young man replied with his habitual gloom. “I guess not. I'd better get upstairs and do some work.”

“What are you writing about?” Violet asked.

“Goose Creek.” The answer came in a despondent tone. “Might as well, since I'm here.”

Millie awarded the young man a bright smile. “I'd like to read it.”

“That would be nice.” A sigh escaped. “At least I'd know somebody's reading my blog.”

He slumped away, the sound of his footsteps heavy on the stairs.

Millie faced Lorna across the table. “I'm worried about that young man.”