Chapter 11 Sydney
Sydney
Idon’t know what time it is, but I do know it’s early. When I open my eyes, I can see the fire barely lit, but the room is warm. That must mean the power is back on. I suppose the light on in the bathroom tells me that, too.
But I’m warm for another reason, too. The arms that are wrapped around me and the hard chest against my back. I slept with Mason last night.
Now what are you going to do, girl?
I plan to lie here for a few more moments, enjoying his embrace, his touch, and remembering all that we did and said last night. Including the mountain lion. How did I walk away from this? From him?
But then it occurs to me. It’s Christmas Eve and more importantly, Sarah and Kris’ wedding day. I can’t just lie around all day in bed with Mason… even if it is what I really want to do.
Very carefully, I wiggle out from under his arm and climb out of bed. Once I’ve located all my clothes and get dressed, I look down and watch him sleep peacefully. Was last night a one-time thing or have we rekindled something? Do I even want to let him near my heart again?
Who am I kidding? He’s had my heart since high school. I just don’t know if I can trust that he won’t walk away from me again.
I shake my head; I’ve got bigger things to worry about today.
As quietly as I can, I slip out of his room and work my way through the lodge to my room.
Time to get my game face on. There’s a couple here that want to start the rest of their lives today and I’m the one that’s going to make that happen.
Thank god the power came back on overnight because I need power to get this shindig off the ground.
With Sarah and her bridesmaids in their suite getting ready and the groomsmen and the groom, Kris, hanging out in the dining room playing video games, Emily and Franco are helping me get the final touches of the wedding completed.
“Sydney!” Sarah comes running over to me in tears.
I know the groom is here, so what could be the problem? “What’s the matter, Sarah? Tears are bad luck on a wedding day.” I pull out my handy dandy wedding kit out and hand her some tissues.
“The baker just called me. He can’t get out of his driveway to bring the cake here. What are we going to do?” She cries out.
“Don’t worry. I’ll fix it. Okay? Don’t worry. You will have a wedding cake today. I promise,” I soothe my young bride-to-be.
“Are you sure?” She smiles through her tears.
My phone alerts me to a text. “I’m sure. Now, stop crying or you’ll be all puffy.” I smile back at her as I pull out my phone to read the text.
Pastor Graham: I hate to do this, but my car and the church van are both buried under snow. I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it to perform the wedding. I’m so sorry. Is there any way we can do it via video conference?
I smile at Sarah so she doesn’t see my panic. Now I need a baker and a pastor. Great. “You okay now?” I place my hand on her shoulder in comfort.
She nods, “Yes. Thank you. You are the best wedding planner ever!”
I smile at her because the last thing I need is for her to continue to freak out. “I know. Now, go be with your family and friends. I’ve got everything under control here.”
She nods and skips away towards her suite happy in the fact that I have everything under control.
I don’t, but she doesn’t know that.
First up, I need a cake, so I go in search of Franco and find him scurrying around the kitchen like it was on fire – thankfully, it’s not.
“Hi Franco. How’s everything going with the food?” I ask him as he’s stirring one pot with one hand while trying to turn the mixer on with the other.
“Not good. I’ve only got one staff member that could get out of their house this morning and that was only because she has a snowmobile!
Three people called in today. THREE!” He drops the spoon that’s in the pot as the mixer comes to life.
“Half my ingredients aren’t here yet and I don’t know if they will be either because of this damn storm. ”
He looks at me and sees my panicked face. “You don’t worry, Miss Sydney. I’ll make this the best wedding ever.” He waves me out of the kitchen. “You go now. I’ll take care of everything.”
As he’s pushing me out of the kitchen, I stop him. “No, wait. The baker is snowed in and won’t be able to get here in time. Can you make a wedding cake? I know it’s a lot to ask, but if I can get you help, do you have the ingredients to make one?”
“Yes, I have the ingredients, but I have no time, Miss Sydney.”
I nod, “I know, but I’ll get you help.” An idea has formed and I’m hoping I can pull this off.
He moves his head from side to side, “If you can get me some help, I can do it.”
I kiss him on the cheek, “You’re a lifesaver, Franco.”
He blushes at my affection. “Only if I get help. I can’t do both.”
“I know. I’m on it.” I go rushing out of the kitchen in search of some feisty ladies and find them still in their suite. I can hear them arguing over something as I approach their door.
I knock loud enough so that they can hear me.
“Sydney! Don’t you look positively glowing today.” Florence says as she opens the door.
I try not to think about why I might be glowing. Hell, I’m a bit sore just walking this morning. “Thank you. Can I come in?”
Florence opens the door wider to let me in. “Come on in.”
“Thank you,” I say as I see Gladys, Betty, and Joan sitting at the little table playing cards.
“You look different. What happened?” Betty asks.
I shake my head, “I need a huge favor.”
“Name it.” Joan says as she places her cards face down on the table. “It looks serious.”
“Well, it is. The baker is snowed in and can’t get here in time with the cake and Franco’s staff have all called in because of the storm. Well, all but one. Anyways, I need a cake for the wedding and I’ve got no one to make it.”
Gladys, Betty, and Joan all stand up. “Say no more. My grandson will have a wedding cake at his wedding come hell or high water,” Gladys says.
“So you’ll do it? Franco says he has all the ingredients, but not enough time to do the cake and the food for the reception.”
I watch as all four ladies put their sweaters on as I follow them out the door. “Of course we’ll do it, Sydney. We’re grandmas. It’s what we do.”
With the ladies helping Franco, my next task is finding someone to perform the wedding. Holding it via video call is my absolute last resort. I wouldn’t want to be married by someone on a phone screen… I’m sure my clients don’t want to be either.
As I’m thumbing through my phone looking for someone, anyone, in the area that can perform a wedding last minute, I can feel Mason enter the room. He’s probably pissed I left this morning, but I’ve got shit to do and the walls are caving in on me.
“Hi.” He says with his warm, sexy voice that goes straight to my core. “How’s it going?”
Okay, so we’re going with awkward. Got it. “Okay. And by okay, I mean there’s not going to be a wedding if I can’t find someone to officiate it.”
“What happened to Pastor Graham?” Mason leans against the counter next to me and crosses his arms across his chest.
“He can’t get out of his driveway.”
Mason nods but is silent for a few minutes. I just keep thumbing through my phone.
“I’m glad you’re still here,” he says.
I look up at him like he’s an idiot. “Of course I’m still here. I’ve got a wedding to put on.”
He pushes off the counter, takes my phone out of my hands, and boxes me against the counter with his arms. “You know what I mean, Sydney Winters. I’m glad that you’re still here,” he repeats.
I do know what he means, but I tease him anyways. “Where else would I go, Mason Donovan? We’re kind of snowed in here.” We are face to face, mere inches separate our lips and I want to taste him again with everything in my being.
He leans his forehead against mine. “Talk to me, baby. Are you okay?”
I nod which makes both of our heads bob. “That mountain lion wasn’t that scary.” I lie right through my teeth. I was, and still am, terrified. Not too sure how I’m going to get to my car tomorrow morning since I don’t plan to ever go outside again, but that’s tomorrow’s problem.
“Don’t do that.” He whispers. “Tell me.”
I know what he’s asking me. Am I okay with what we did last night and it’s a question I’ve been asking myself all day. I look up at him, directly in the eyes and nod. “Yeah. I’m okay. Really okay,” I smile.
His smile is immediate and as bright as the mound of snow outside. “Me too.” He leans in and his lips softly touch mine. He pulls back too soon, and I want more. A lot more.
“Hate to interrupt, but I need Sydney for a moment.” Emily says from the other side of the counter.
Mason growls loudly as I giggle. “I’m all yours, Emily,”
“Ah, not from this vantage point you’re not.” She laughs as I blush.
I pull away from Mason and round the counter. “What’s up?”
“Well, I’ve called everyone I know but no one can get through the snow in time to perform the wedding. Have you had any luck?”
“I can do it,” Mason says and both Emily and I turn to him.
“No you can’t,” Emily dismisses him.
“Yes, I can. It’s state law. Anyone can perform the ceremony as long as the bride and groom have the license.” He starts fidgeting with his phone and then shows it to the both of us. “See?”
Emily snatches the phone from him and reads the website he brought up. “Holy shit. You can. Anyone can.” She looks up at me. “Do you know if they have their license?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I would assume they would. It’s usually something I let the couple handle, but I’ll go ask Sarah and Kris.” I turn to Mason. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
He smiles, “And disappoint my guests? Of course I will.”
I shake my head as I walk away. I can feel him staring at me, so I put a bit more sway in my step. Just for him.