CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Misty went to Emmett’s house and into the backyard.
Though it had been a gray morning, the sky had brightened, and if they were lucky, the sun would come out.
Two men were putting up the tent. A tall, broad, dark-haired man turned to her.
Startled, she jumped. The man looked very much like Vince Tucci. Maybe this was the man JoEllen saw.
She went over to him. “You look like someone I used to know. Do you live in the area?”
“In Portsmouth,” the man said.
“Then I think a friend of mine recently saw you in a nearby bar. Is that possible?” Misty knew she was a little pushy, but she had to know.
The man shrugged. “Sure. I visited one of the bars in the next town a short time ago. Why?”
“Like I said, you look like someone I used to know but don’t want to meet again. Sorry to bother you.”
He grinned at her. “Hey, no bother. I own this tent company with my cousin. We cover a lot of areas. Good luck on not meeting the guy.”
“Thanks.” Misty forced herself to look at him. Remembering her shock at seeing him, she’d felt as if a chilly wind had arisen. But now, she wondered if she could finally put to rest her fears of Vince showing up.
Carrying her dress, Misty went into the house and stopped in the kitchen.
A young woman and a man were at work setting up trays of food for the reception.
She studied the platters. Cooked shrimp on top of squares of avocado toast and stuffed mushrooms were just a few of the items they were working on.
She knew cold poached salmon and beef filet with bearnaise sauce would also be served, along with a number of things she hadn’t yet heard about. In addition to gourmet dinners, preparing this food was a smart way for Melissa to advertise her catering services.
Crystal was in her bathroom, waiting for Misty to help with her hair.
Crystal had worn purple in her hair for years until she decided she didn’t need that distraction anymore.
Now, her natural blonde was lovely. Misty knew how to braid a few strands of her hair to keep her face clear of wisps and add a bit of elegance to her usual shoulder-length style.
“Are you excited?” asked Misty, hanging up her dress.
“Yes. Excited, worried, nervous,” said Crystal. “The security guard should be arriving soon. I hope there won’t be any trauma with Emmett’s father. Weddings aren’t always the best time for families, especially with someone who makes it a drama about himself.”
“Having GG and all your friends surrounding you will help keep things in order. No one is going to let Emmett’s father ruin this time for you,” Misty said with determination she felt to her toes.
“I know, I know,” said Crystal. “I want this to be perfect for Emmett and me. A day to remember.”
“It’ll all work out,” said Misty, though she couldn’t help worrying, too.
Whitney Gilford Woodruff, GG’s oldest granddaughter, now married to the Chief of Police, knocked on the door and stuck her head inside. “Hi, Nick and I are here. Nick will change his clothes in one of the other bedrooms with Emmett. But when it’s time, I’m going to help you two get dressed.”
“Great,” said Crystal. “Come downstairs with me. You can help get the tables set in the tent. The food will come out after the ceremony.”
“Nick already spoke to the security guard to let him know who he was in case help was needed.”
“That’s great,” said Misty. She couldn’t shake the worrisome feeling that normal weddings didn’t require a security guard.
As Misty carried tableware to the tent, the sun broke through the gray clouds, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It was a good sign.
A heavy-set, middle-aged man approached them. “Hello. I’m Ike Benson from AAA Security.” He wore tan slacks, a short-sleeved button-collared shirt, and a cotton khaki vest, under which Misty noticed a gun in a holster. “I’m here to help with the wedding.”
“Trust me, it’s not like a shotgun wedding,” said Crystal. “The groom’s father is well-known, and we want to keep news people and photographers away. The groom’s father doesn’t know about these arrangements, and that’s how we want to keep it.”
Ike bobbed his head. “Understood. How many people are you expecting?”
“I’m guessing around fifty,” said Crystal. “It’s a surprise wedding, so people will arrive expecting a picnic. That’s how we wanted it.”
“Okay. The three of you women indicate who should be escorted out, and I’ll take care of it,” said Ike.
“Thanks,” said Crystal. “By the way, the groom’s stepfather is Everett Chamberlain.”
Ike’s eyes widened. “He’s running for president, right?”
“Yes. That’s the problem. He wants publicity, and my fiancé and I don’t.”
Ike shook his head. “Well, we can try our best to outwit the press, but it won’t be easy if he’s notified them. It helps that there’s limited access to the backyard.”
Crystal and Misty exchanged worried looks.
“My husband, Nick, whom you just met, will try to help,” said Whitney. “He’s the local police chief.”
“Say, aren’t you that actress?” said Ike.
Surprised, Whitney was gracious. “Yes, but I’m not working at the moment.”
“Okay, then, let’s get the show on the road,” said Ike. “I’ll set up my station near the entrance by the driveway and keep an eye on the people coming in.”
Whitney placed a hand on Crystal’s arm. “Nick has arranged for one of his deputies to help Ike. Between the two of them, they ought to be able to do as you want.”
The minister of the local Unitarian church came over to them. “I’m a few minutes late, but I see we have plenty of time.”
“Yes,” said Crystal. “The flowers are just arriving now.”
A staff member from Petals was carrying a gorgeous arrangement of summer flowers in a large white wicker basket for the buffet table. “I’ve got the bride’s and maid of honor’s flowers in the truck.”
Curious, Misty went over to the truck and gasped with delight when she saw the same multi-colored summer flowers in two separate bouquets and a flower ring, like a crown, to be placed on Crystal’s head.
She turned to Crystal. “These are stunning.”
Crystal looked pleased. “They turned out so well.”
“You’d better go in and change,” said Whitney. “I see people are starting to arrive. Don’t worry about Emmett and Nick. I’ll see that they go inside. Dani and Brad are bringing GG, and Taylor will keep an eye out for Natalie.”
“What would I do without the Gilford girls?” said Crystal, hugging Whitney.
Misty followed Crystal inside and up to her bedroom.
Nick and Emmett followed.
Outside Crystal’s bedroom door, Emmett stopped to give her a kiss.
“Remember, the groom can’t see the bride’s dress before it’s time,” Misty said, thinking Emmett was adorable with Crystal.
“Okay, then, see you two outside,” said Emmett. “Nick and I will be ready.”
Misty noticed Nick was wearing tan slacks and a crisp white shirt. A blue blazer, she knew, would be added, and at Emmett's request, neither man would be wearing a tie.
Inside the bedroom, Misty slipped on her dress and twirled around for Crystal.
“It’s lovely. All the right colors. You look smashing in it,” said Crystal. “Now, please help me with mine.”
Crystal pulled a midi-length white silk dress from the closet. Simple, it had a V-neckline, capped sleeves, a fitted bodice, and a skirt that fell straight down and flowed with movement. Crystal slipped on the dress, and it fit her like a glove.
Observing her sister in this stunning dress, Misty felt unexpected tears. “My God! You’re beautiful.”
“Thanks,” said Crystal. She turned at the sound of a knock on the door. “That must be the photographer with Captured Moments. She promised to take photographs of us getting ready.”
Crystal opened the door, and a young woman with a turquoise streak of color in her dark-brown hair beamed at them, lighting her blue-green eyes. Fairly new to town, she was trying to make a go of her photography studio. Misty had seen some of her work and was impressed.
“Hi, ladies. It looks like you’re almost ready. I’m glad I got here in time to get some photos of you. You both look stunning. Now, show me some sisterly love so I can capture it.”
Misty put her arm around Crystal, careful not to crush her dress. She had only to think of how much Crystal meant to her to bring a genuine, loving smile to her face.
“Excellent,” said the photographer. “I’ll take a few of you, Misty, helping to place Crystal’s flowers on her head.”
She took a few more photos of them and said, “I’m going outside to capture the surprise on some of the people’s faces when they realize a wedding is happening.”
“Please send up Whitney,” said Crystal. “I want to get an update from her.”
Moments later, Whitney appeared in Crystal’s bedroom.
“How are things going?” Crystal asked.
“The only person not here is Emmett’s stepfather. All our friends have arrived except for Nettie and Jason, who are on the way. GG and Natalie are sitting and talking together and seem to be having fun.”
“Is the security guard checking everyone?” Crystal asked.
“Yes. I understand he spoke to the photographer when she arrived with her cameras, but there’s been no sign of any other media people. I think it’s safe to say that if Emmett’s stepfather does show up, he’ll be quickly controlled. The security guard has been doing an excellent job.”
“Okay, this waiting is killing me,” said Crystal.
“Will you please ask the guitar player to start the music Emmett and I chose? The longer we wait, the more trouble might come from Everett. And please tell Emmett and Nick to go ahead and take their places. When I hear my song being played, I’ll send Misty outside, and I’ll follow. ”
Whitney left, and Crystal turned to Misty. “I’m not about to wait for Everett. He knew what time the wedding would begin. It’s just like him to be late so he can make a grand entrance.”
“Will Emmett be sorry about Everett not seeing the two of you get married?” asked Misty.
Crystal shook her head. “Sadly, no. Emmett’s pretty upset about the way his stepfather is treating this event. He feels it’s disrespecting both of us.”
“All right. I’m going to make a quick trip to the bathroom, then go downstairs to wait for your signal,” said Misty.
###
Misty waited for Crystal to appear in the kitchen, nervously shifting from one foot to the other.
She heard her approaching, and when she saw her sister arrive looking angelic in her white dress and wearing a floral crown like a halo around her beautiful face, tears stung Misty’s eyes.
Crystal was such a special person; she deserved a lovely wedding without any shenanigans from her future father-in-law.
“Ready?” Crystal asked her.
Misty kissed Crystal’s cheek. “You’re lovely. Let’s make this happen.”
Crystal stood aside while Misty stepped outside onto the lawn and headed toward the minister, Emmett, and Nick.
She heard the gasps of admiration from the crowd at seeing Crystal behind her, and her smile widened.
As she entered the circle of friends gathered for the wedding, she caught David's eye, and her heart fluttered. Maybe, thought Misty, someday she’d be as lucky as Crystal.
The minister kept the traditional wedding service short, as promised. By the time Crystal and Emmett had said their vows to one another, there wasn’t a dry eye in the gathering, including Natalie’s. Their sweet words to one another resonated with the crowd.
Just as the minister announced, “You may now kiss your bride,” David came up beside Misty and squeezed her hand, giving her a sweet smile.
A commotion broke out by the house. The entire group turned and faced Everett and his entourage. Everett’s loud, booming voice rang out. “What do you mean I can’t attend my son’s wedding? This is an important occasion for me as father of the groom.”
Ike Benson stood squarely in front of the senator. “Hold on. I’ll have to have permission for you to enter. The photographer and news person aren’t allowed at this event.”
Furious, Everett shook his fist at him. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you keep me from my family.” He stopped talking when Emmett walked over to him.
“So, you’ve come to congratulate Crystal and me?” said Emmett calmly, coolly. “The ceremony is over, but you’re welcome to help us celebrate privately, without cameras and newspeople. I explained that to you yesterday. Why are you late getting here?”
Everett looked down at the ground and shuffled his feet. “The traffic was bad.”
“Traffic in Lilac Lake?” scoffed Emmett as Crystal, Misty, and Nick approached.
“I was doing an interview in Boston,” Everett admitted, tugging at the collar of his white shirt.
Emmett let out a long sigh. “I wish I could say that this kind of behavior was unusual, gentlemen,” he said to Everett’s handlers. “But, as you well know, it isn’t. I suggest you find something to do while my stepfather enjoys some time here. Unless he chooses not to.”
Everett held up his hand. “Now, Emmett, you know I’ll do no such thing. It’s family time. And this is a big celebration.” He turned to the members of his entourage. “Excuse me. I’ll see you later. There’s a nice café in town. I’ll meet you there.”
No one in the wedding party corrected Everett. The café had closed for the wedding. That’s the kind of town Lilac Lake was and how respected Crystal and Emmett were.