Chapter 18
Ari
“It smells like animals.” Landrie’s nose scrunches up as we step inside the stables at Horseshoe Holler.
“As it should.” I grin back at her. “Horses live inside here.”
“I know.” She gives me an eye roll. “I just don’t know if I want to have my wedding reception inside here.”
“The structure is beautiful, but I don’t think it’s big enough for the reception.” Mom gives a small snicker meant for Landrie. “Your and Jaxon’s wedding is the event of the year, maybe the wedding of the century.”
The wedding of the century? I highly doubt that.
“Everyone in Autumn Ridge will be there.” My mom takes two steps back outside, surveying the front of the stable. “But this part is gorgeous. What if you had your ceremony out in front of these barn doors? All the guests’ chairs could be on these beautiful stone pavers leading up to it.”
For once, I actually agree with my mom. The Horseshoe Holler stable somehow manages to look rustic and expensive at the same time.
Like Archer Kade woke up one day and decided to build the physical embodiment of a Pinterest wedding board.
It’s all white, weathered wood, cedar planks, wide barn doors with black iron hinges, and a little cupola perched on top like a church steeple for horses.
And let’s not forget about the wide paver courtyard in front of the stable that looks more wedding venue than working ranch.
I second my mom’s idea. “I think that would be awesome.”
Landrie slowly looks around as if she’s analyzing every detail. “But what about the horses? What if one of them neighs during the ceremony in the middle of our vows? Plus, there’s the smell.”
It’s rare that Landrie disappoints my mom, but in this instance, she’s losing a battle she really wants to win. “Let me just go check with Archer and see if he can remove the horses for the ceremony and do something about the smell.”
Landrie shifts her weight. “Mom, there are plenty of other places on the property to have the ceremony. Let’s just keep walking around.”
“I’m just going to check. It never hurts to ask.” She gives me a pointed look. “Ari, you should come with me so you can see Archer again.”
“I’m with Wade, remember?” I don’t mean for my tone to sound so annoyed…actually, maybe I do.
Her lips push downward. “Yes, but Wade seems to only care about himself. I’d hate to see you completely dismiss Archer.”
“I wish you’d stop saying things like that about Wade. You clearly don’t know him.”
Her voice softens, like maybe there’s more behind her meddling than I think.
“Well, I know you, and that’s enough to make me worried that Wade’s not a good fit for you.
I’m just concerned that you’ll get attached, and then he’ll end things in a month.
So maybe you could at least come say hi to Archer. ”
“I think I’ll stay here with Landrie.”
“Suit yourself.” She huffs out a sigh and sulks off to find Archer.
I look at my sister. “If I strangle Mom, this would be the perfect place to hide her body.”
“She means well, but she isn’t wrong. You know what Wade’s like.
It probably will be over in a week or two.
” Landrie turns from the stables, heading toward the wooded area.
“Let’s check the cleared path. That might be a good spot for the ceremony.
Imagine how beautiful the fall colors will be that week. ”
I follow behind her, but I’m still stuck on what she said about Wade. I don’t know why I feel defensive on his behalf, but I do. Could be that I understand what it’s like to be judged on your past choices instead of who you really are.
“So it was okay for you to date Wade, but it isn’t okay for me?”
Landrie smiles like my question is ridiculous. “That was different.”
“How so?”
“Well, for starters, I knew it was just a fling. And I was so young. Dating for fun is expected at that age.”
“As opposed to my old-maid age of twenty-seven?”
“Shoot.” Landrie stops walking to face me.
Sincerity lines the edges of her eyes. “Ari, that’s not what I meant to imply.
You’re not an old maid. And I actually love that you are getting back out there after Andy.
You deserve some rebound fun after such a long and serious relationship. And who is better for that than Wade?”
It’s true. Wade is perfect for something like that, but that isn’t what this is. This arrangement is purely transactional. A business arrangement of sorts.
“And who knows”—Landrie puts her arm around my shoulder and starts walking toward the wooded pathway again, forcing me with her—“maybe you’ll be the one woman who can tame the town playboy, and you’ll end up with a fairy-tale ending like Jaxon and me.”
“I doubt it,” I automatically answer. That definitely won’t happen. Wade isn’t the type of guy I want to end up with. I mean, he’s exactly the type of guy I think I want. Fun, playful, exciting. But I have years’ worth of dating data from Andy that tells me those traits aren’t reliable.
So, no. There won’t be any taming of the playboy. Not on my watch. I’m keeping strict boundaries in my head and my heart.
But if Wade reminds me of Andy and old mistakes, why do I keep defending him and want people to stop judging him wrongly?
It doesn’t make sense.
After touring Horseshoe Holler, we head into town to stop at Keller’s Bakehouse to look at a few pictures of the types of wedding cakes they can create for the reception.
There isn’t an open parking stall in front, so we’re forced to park down at the end of Main Street, which normally wouldn’t be a problem if you didn’t live in the nosiest town in the U.S.
The second I step out of the car, I’m cornered by an Edna—I have no clue which one.
“What happened to waiting for the new dentist?” She’s instantly in my face—or would be if she weren’t six inches shorter than I am.
“Uh…” I instinctively back up. “Hello.”
My mom comes around the car to where we’re standing on the sidewalk. “What’s this about the new dentist?”
“Nothing.” The last thing I need is my mom getting the idea to set me up with another man in Autumn Ridge.
Edna wags her finger at my mom. “Your new boss could’ve been your son-in-law if Wade hadn’t swooped in.”
“Carson Price?”
I didn’t know the new dentist was Carson Price. He was a popular older boy when I was a teenager.
The wheels in Mom’s head start turning…fast. “Yes! Why didn’t I think about Carson and Ari? He’s divorced and single.”
“Plus, he has that daughter.” Edna easily supplies more ammo for my mother to use.
She places her hand over her heart. “I could be an instant grandma!”
“We have to go.” I grab my mom’s arm, pulling her away from Edna. It’s the dark-haired one, by the way. She just made my “Public Enemy #1” list.
“Seriously, Ari.” There’s a frightening level of excitement in my mom’s voice. “Carson Price is the answer to all our problems. He’s like a gooey cinnamon roll. I’ll be helping set up his new dentist’s office next week. I’ll line up a date for you two.”
She keeps talking about how this is a match made in heaven, but I ignore her, turning to Landrie. “Carson Price? Does he really have a child now?”
“Yeah, but I don’t actually remember him. He’s a lot older than me.”
Mom whips out her phone, checking the calendar app. “What if I tell him that you’d go to the opening of the pumpkin patch with him and his daughter next Saturday, September twenty-sixth? That’d be a great first date and would give him enough time to get settled in town.”
“MOTHER.” My head falls back in exasperation.
“What?”
I straighten, looking directly in her eyes. “Repeat after me: ‘My daughter, Ari, is already dating Wade Stevenson.’”
“Oh, but, honey, Wade’s not marriage material. So how can I stop trying to find you a good man that you can marry?” Her expression relaxes into something more vulnerable. “Don’t you want to get married?”
“Obviously, I do.”
“Then why won’t you let me help you? That’s what moms are supposed to do.”
“Because you’re not helping. You’re inserting yourself into my life in ways I have repeatedly told you not to.”
“Ari, this doesn’t have to be a fight. Look at your sister.” My stomach tightens, bracing myself for whatever is about to come out of her mouth. “Landrie doesn’t fight me on every idea I have.”
“She actually just fought you on your idea to have the ceremony in front of the stable.”
She shakes her head in frustration. “You know what I mean.”
Sure, I do.
Landrie is easy, while I’m difficult. This isn’t a new development. I’ve known this my entire life.
Landrie pauses in front of Keller’s Bakehouse. “Can we please not talk about this right now? Wedding planning is supposed to be fun, remember?”
Mom’s whole tone softens, and a smile hits her lips. “You’re right, honey. This is your day. Let’s just focus on wedding stuff.” She pats Landrie’s cheek before pulling the door open.
Every day is Landrie’s day.
Redact that thought.
I’m not mad at Landrie. I love my sister. She’s an innocent bystander and the sweetest person ever. I can set my feelings about my mom’s meddling aside and be here for her.
The bell above the door rings as we walk inside. My nose goes on the most delicious journey as it picks up hints of maple-cinnamon sticky buns, apple-cider donuts, and who knows what else. All I know is that it smells good.
I lean over the glass case, searching for the maple cream puffs Wade’s constantly eating. I’ve been secretly dying to get a taste of one.
Sadie Stevenson comes out from the back room, wearing a white apron over her clothes. There’s a split second of embarrassment when I see her. Not once since the bleacher scandal or the start of this whole fake-dating fiasco have I thought about what Wade’s family would think of me. Of us.
Oh, gosh. I can’t believe I’m an “us” with Wade.
It’s going to take a minute for my mind to wrap around that.
“Hey, ladies.” Sadie’s smile is immediately warm, even when she glances my way. I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised. She’s probably used to copious amounts of rumors flying around about her brother’s dating life. I’m nothing out of the ordinary.
“We came to talk wedding cakes,” my mom says with a bright smile.
“Okay, let me grab our sample book with pictures.”
“Actually”—Landrie grimaces—“we came in here last week, and Patty showed us the cakes she can make, and I didn’t love any of them.” She holds up her phone. “But I did find one from Pinterest that I love. I was going to see if you could do something like this.”
Sadie leans over the counter, taking a closer look. “I love that.”
“Right?”
She pulls back, glancing over her shoulder to the door that leads to the kitchen. “Patty Keller is pretty strict about her menu and what she bakes. I don’t think we could bake that particular cake for you.”
Landrie smiles. “What about you? Could you maybe bake the cake, like, on the side? Is that allowed?”
There’s a brief hesitation, but then Sadie smiles. “I mean, I’d love to make the cake for your wedding. It’s going to be a huge event.”
Landrie bounces up and down, clapping. “Yay!”
There’s another glance over Sadie’s shoulder. “But we probably shouldn’t talk about it here.”
“No, I totally get that. I’ll text you the picture of the cake, and then we can discuss details later.”
The bell above the door dings again, and a middle-aged woman I don’t recognize walks in.
My mom immediately turns to her with a smile. “Well, hello. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
The woman gives my mom a side hug. “I know. I’ve missed having you on Main Street at the dental office these last few weeks since ownership has been changing.”
“Next week.” My mom nods. “I’ll be back at work, and we can go out to lunch again.”
The woman looks at Landrie and me. “What are you guys out doing?”
“Just wedding planning stuff.”
She grabs Landrie’s hand. “I am so excited for the wedding. I just know it’s going to be the most beautiful and elegant reception Autumn Ridge has ever seen.”
Landrie smiles. “We’re working hard to make sure it is.”
The woman’s eyes drift back to me, alerting my mom that she hasn’t introduced us.
“This is my oldest daughter, Ari. Ari, this is Whitney Wilkins. She’s the office manager over at the Dust & Timber and my lunch buddy.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“You’re the new high school English teacher, right?”
My mom answers for me. “Yes, and she’s doing such an amazing job over there. Autumn Ridge High is so lucky to have Ari as a teacher.”
Whitney nods. “I actually recognize you. I saw a video of you and Wade at the football game.”
My fame precedes me.
“Bees!” My mother immediately jumps in to save her reputation—not mine. “Don’t believe everything you see online. They were getting attacked by bees. That’s all.”
Whitney’s eyes widen. “Oh, how terrifying.”
“We actually wanted to talk to you about getting some wood to make an arbor for Landrie and Jaxon to stand under for the ceremony.” The way my mom can effortlessly change a subject is an art form that should be studied.
Their conversation moves to strictly wedding stuff, so I turn back to the dessert options at the counter. I’d forgotten Sadie was still standing there.
“Bees?” She smiles. “Is that really what happened? I never know with Wade if he’s telling the truth.”
A slight blush creeps up my cheeks. “Yes, it was all very innocent and accidental, but nobody believes me.”
“Well, people always assume the worst about my brother.”
“And about me, so we were doomed from the start, no matter what.”
Sadie laughs.
“Hey, speaking of Wade”—my eyes drop to the glass case—“he had some maple cream puffs the other day that looked incredible, but I don’t see them. Are you guys all out?”
Her expression twists into a guilty smile. “We don’t actually sell those here.”
“Ah. I get it. That’s kind of a side thing too?”
“Right.”
“Well, if Landrie’s wedding cake looks half as good as those cream puffs look, then I think we’re in the right hands.”
“Ari?” My mom waves me over. “Let’s keep moving. We’ve got more errands to run before we head home. This wedding is our top priority.”
“See you later, Sadie.”
“Yeah, I guess I’ll see you Friday night.” She must see the confusion on my face because she adds, “At the mayor’s fiftieth birthday party. Wade said you were coming with him.”
I feel my mom leaning in to listen to our conversation.
“Of course. The mayor’s fiftieth birthday party,” I lie. “How could I forget?”
I don’t like plans being made for me without my approval. Wade will definitely hear about this tomorrow at school.
But as I walk out of Keller’s Bakehouse, I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed bumping into people I know—going to a local business and knowing the people there. That never happened in Florida. And maybe I missed it a little bit. But I’m not giving Wade the satisfaction of telling him that.