Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
“Y ou look pretty. You heading to the wedding?”
Lily glanced back from the front door into her parents’ living room, where Mom sat drinking coffee on the love seat. Her mother had pulled her hair back in a loose ponytail and still wore sweatpants from her early-morning walk around the neighborhood with Dad.
“Thanks. And yes.” She smoothed her hands over the yellow sundress she’d selected in her hurry to get out the door.
“You’re a little dressed up for catering.” Her mother quirked an eyebrow.
“I’m, well, uh?—”
“I’m kidding. It’s nice to see you out of leggings and a T-shirt. You and Declan are catering together, right?”
Of course she’d heard about that—small town.
“Yes. Lily glanced at the clock over the mantel. “I’m supposed to meet Declan at ten-thirty to get everything loaded up, so…”
“How is Declan?” Mom took a sip, eying Lily over the lip of the mug.
“Um, fine, I guess.” Lily fidgeted in her strappy sandals—the ones that weren’t very practical but were definitely cute. “Well, not fine , like cute. I mean, fine, as in…fine.” Yikes. Mom would see right through that one. “I just mean?—”
“I think I know what you mean.” Her mother sighed. “Lily, your father and I are concerned.”
Oh. And this was why she’d tried to sneak in late and leave early—last thing she wanted was an inquisition about the competition.
Which had slowly not felt like competition as they’d worked together this week to fill the order. More like co-workers.
The kind who worked together and most definitely did not think about a near kiss that maybe she’d dreamed up. And refused to wish for.
Because it would never, could never, happen.
Sighing, Lily closed the door. “I know, Mom, but you don’t need to be. We’re still rivals. And I’m going to win this stupid competition. I told you about that reviewer that’s coming in four days.”
In fact, between making batches of ice cream for the wedding reception, Lily had spent her off hours experimenting with new fudge flavors for Mr. Mercer’s tasting. “I’m not going to let the Kelleys win.”
“Oh, honey. You know I don’t care a fig about that silly feud.”
“Dad cares.”
“Does Dad get riled up when he thinks about the past and the pain his father experienced at his best friend’s perceived betrayal? Yes, of course. But both of us care far more about you.” She cocked her head again. “We just want you to be careful. That boy broke your heart once.”
“I know.” Lily shook her head, forced a smile. “I’ll be okay, Mom. Declan and I, that’s ancient history.”
Her mother nodded. “Have a great wedding. I can’t wait to hear all about how everyone reacts to your wonderful creations.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Lily darted out the door and hopped on her bike—her knee was nearly fully healed now.
Five minutes later, she pulled up outside the fudge shop. What in the?—?
Out front stood two horses hooked up to a short cart with a bench seat.
Dismounting from her bike, she headed inside.
And found Declan—wearing dress slacks and a button-up shirt—pulling one of her ice cream containers from the freezer. He stacked it beside several others already out on the counter.
“Hey. I’m just grabbing everything to load up onto the trailer.”
She pointed to the street. “About that—where did the horses come from? I thought they were all off island.”
“All but a handful, I guess. Remember Asher Quinn, who we met on Thursday? How Dani said he’s watching his relatives’ ranch and horses?”
“Oh. Right. So you asked him if we could borrow a few?”
“Exactly. Thought it might be easier. He said we could use them this morning to transport everything to the inn. He’ll pick them up from us, board them next door at the stables for a few hours, and bring the trailer back after the event’s over.”
Huh. “That’s…good job. I just figured we’d hook up a trailer to our bikes and make several trips.”
“This will be much more efficient.” Declan continued to unload the fudge and ice cream containers. “Did you bring coolers and ice?”
“Coolers?” Oh no. “I hadn’t even thought of coolers for the ice cream.” And she’d told him she had everything handled, that he should just worry about his fudge. Ha. Now, all her treats would melt before the couple’s first dance. “What am I going to do?”
“I think we have a few at my parents’ place. And I can raid the diner’s ice machine.”
The man had an answer for everything, didn’t he? “Are you sure? I’m sorry I didn’t think of that beforehand.”
“No sweat. I’ll be back in no time.” He smiled at her, as if she hadn’t totally dropped the ball.
He returned with coolers and ice, and they loaded the food onto the horse-drawn dray. As he got on and took the reins, she glanced at him.
“It’s like riding a bike,” he said and winked.
And she had nothing as they trotted down Main Street, a sight that drew a ton of attention and photos from tourists already flocking to the island on this gorgeous Saturday morning. The sun hung high in a cloudless, perfect sky, warming the day.
A glorious day for a wedding.
They headed toward Island House Inn, just south of Blueberry Hill Park between the old livery and Little Stone Bible Church.
The charming mid-size inn, with its white Victorian trim, steeply angled roof, and double turrets was host to the ceremony and reception, which were being held outside in the trimmed, green grass of the back courtyard.
An hour later, Lily stood behind the white-draped tablecloths in the shade behind the area set up for the wedding.
An arbor had been erected for the happy couple, along with white folding chairs for the guests.
Bouquets of peonies, hydrangeas, and roses stood on pillars, and the family had started ushering guests into place.
A quartet of musicians started playing a new piece of music.
“Everything turned out really nice.” Declan showed up beside her holding a loaded plastic bag and rocking his aviator sunglasses. Paired with his dress clothes, the man was…well, okay. He was fine, fine .
“I was thinking the same thing.” She eyed the bag. “What do you have there?”
Declan pulled two Styrofoam containers from the bag, setting one in front of Lily. “I thought we might not have a chance to eat lunch once the reception’s going.”
“Oh. Good idea.” She supposed it would be poor form to try to snag some of the food arranged on the deluxe charcuterie boards on the table beside theirs, which included fruit and meat cut and folded into roses, plus platters of finger sandwiches that looked gourmet.
“Thanks. What is it—arsenic?” She smiled at him, not sure why.
“Iocane powder. Please. But only because I’ve worked up a tolerance. Pick one.” He held out both containers.
She laughed, took one of the containers, and popped open the lid. The delicious scent of the roast beef sandwich wafted out. “I don’t care if it’s poisoned. I’m ready to perish.”
“I was hoping you’d still like it.”
Oh. Right. And suddenly, their past was right there—the date in the park, when he’d snuck her food from the diner. They’d talked and talked till it was far too late.
Their first kiss since the magic of Disney World.
Far more magical because they’d been home.
She cleared her throat. That was then, this was now. “Wow, I haven’t had anything of your mom’s in forever.”
“Really? Even with being back for a few weeks now?” Declan took a bite of his sandwich.
In the background, Pastor Arnie talked about love and commitment. Of finding forever and holding on when you knew it was right, when God had sent you your match.
Lily tossed him a sad smile. “Harts aren’t exactly welcome at the diner. Well, I think Cody gets away with it. Maybe Mom. But me? I’m persona non grata over there.”
Declan had been about to take another bite, but set his sandwich down instead. Frowned. “That’s not okay.”
She flicked away a wilted piece of lettuce—the only flawed thing about the perfectly flaky, juicy creation in front of her. But suddenly, her appetite waned.
Lily closed the lid and pushed the container away. “It’s just how it is between our families, Declan. We tried to change their minds once upon a time.”
“Maybe we should have tried harder.”
Her breath caught as he snagged her hand and guided it back to the container. Before letting go, his thumb swiped the inside of her wrist.
She froze. He let go. “Looks like they’re pronouncing them man and wife. Eat up.”
Right. She ate half the sandwich, then closed it. But his touch lingered even as the wedding ceremony ended and the reception festivities had begun.
The reception kept both Lily and Declan busy, her scooping ice cream and both of them handing out their fudge.
She couldn’t help but grin in satisfaction that the guests, nearly all from the mainland, were keen on her unique fudge flavors—several even asking if she’d consider a mail-order option.
Lily lost herself in conversation with them all, nearly yelping when Declan sidled up next to her, his face solemn. Cheer up, they were at a party .
“What’s the frown for?” Lily asked. “You look like you need an ice cream.” She twirled the scoop in her hand before setting it down and pulling another box of fudge from under the table.
Declan looked up to the sky. A hard line of clouds hung off the southern tip of the island. “I hope the weather holds.” The air had grown humid as the afternoon waned on, tolerable only because of a breeze that cut across the island.
Lily paused while plating more fudge. “Yikes. Me too.” She moved the plate to the front of their table and greeted several guests. She pulled another stack of waffle cones from the supply box below the table and handed them to him. “Do you mind?”
He took the stack and slid several into a special plexiglass cone-holder that sat in an arch on the table. “I didn’t even know these were a thing.”
“Brilliant, right?”
“What’s brilliant is the easy way you can pivot.”
She stilled, glanced at him. “Um. What do you mean?” And was that genuine admiration in Declan’s tone?
“I’ve been watching you?—”