Daughters of the Bride by Susan Mallery

Author:Susan Mallery
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2016-07-12T07:00:00+00:00

17

COURTNEY WAS A big believer in tasting dinners before a big event like a wedding. The last thing the bride and groom wanted was to find out they didn’t like the food being served. She and her mom had an appointment to meet with Gracie to decide on the cake, but just as important was the meal at the reception.

As her mother’s wedding was slightly more of a family affair than most, she suggested Maggie also invite Rachel and Sienna to the tasting. There had been a brief discussion then about David, but Maggie had finally decided that as long as he and Sienna were engaged, he should be included. As a friend, honorary grandmother, not to mention owner of the hotel, Joyce had also been asked to come.

Because it was a Thursday evening, Courtney had been able to book one of the smaller dining rooms off the main restaurant. She’d stolen, um, requested, Matt, her favorite bartender, and Kelly was helping her serve.

Courtney had expected to be nervous, but she was way tenser than she’d anticipated. She’d done dozens of tasting dinners before—this was no different. Except for the fact that this was for her mother. She had to remind herself that if Maggie didn’t like her suggestions, she was entitled to her opinion. She was a client, like any other, and her likes and dislikes weren’t to be taken personally. Now if only she could convince herself to believe it.

Neil arrived alone. He greeted Courtney with a hug.

“Thank you so much for setting this up,” he told her. “We’re both excited to taste everything you’ve put together tonight.”

“It’s going to be a good time,” she promised, then looked around. “Where’s Mom?”

“Sienna and David are picking her up on the way.”

They went over to the bar and Courtney explained about the different cocktail options—all of which were pink. “A signature drink can be fun for guests. One of the questions I’ll have for you two is if you want your guests to have the option of getting a drink before the ceremony. There are arguments to be made on both sides.”

Neil chose the cosmopolitan, and they walked to the large table set up in the center of the room. When they were seated, he took a taste.

“Nice. Not too sweet.”

She smiled. “All the pink doesn’t bother you?”

He looked at the pink-and-cream balloons anchored by small bouquets of small pink flowers. “I’m good with it. If Maggie’s pleased, then I am, too.” He winked. “I’m a big believer in that old saying—happy wife, happy life.”

“An excellent quality in a man,” she teased.

“I’ve been married most of my adult life. I’ve learned my lessons.”

“You lost your first wife to cancer, didn’t you?”

He put down his glass. “Yes. Karen and I were together for nearly twenty years. When she found that lump in her breast, we never thought it would be a big deal. Some surgery, a little chemo and she’d be right as rain.”

His normally smiling face turned serious. “But it wasn’t like that, and when I lost her, I was devastated.

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