Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
W hen she pulled up to the church in a limo, Amy felt as if history was repeating itself. This time, though, the bride definitely wanted to be here.
Paige waited for the wedding couple, camera ready, and began snapping photos as they arrived.
Amy should have assisted the bride from the limo, but Cassie didn’t wait for help. Wearing a wide smile, Cassie hurried up the church steps where Bella, looking beautiful in the dress she’d designed, waited to straighten the bride’s gown before she entered the church. Once that was done to Bella’s satisfaction, she shook her finger at Cassie. “Remember: you aren’t in charge today.”
“Got it. Not in charge.” She went inside and toward what she knew was the bride’s room.
Bella glanced at Amy with a frustrated expression. “It will be a miracle if she doesn’t start making changes. We need to hold her to what we’ve done unless her change is simple.”
Paige followed the bride into the church, staying off to the side and out of the way. Amy knew James would be waiting inside for additional help with the photography.
A woman about her mother’s age waited by the bride’s room. Elegantly dressed in a tailored lavender silk suit with a matching hat on her head and shoes on her feet in a slightly deeper shade of purple, she exuded money and an upper social class.
“Mother,” Cassie said with a flat voice.
So this was the Mrs. Van Bibber she had heard about so many times.
“I’m glad to see you, my dear. It’s been a while.”
Amy knew Cassie avoided contact with her mother. It was one of those odd situations where she loved her, but being around her was almost always stressful.
They moved closer. Amy knew Cassie should be put in the bride’s room, but her mother was between them and it.
“Mother, it’s good to see you. Would you like to come into the room with me?” When Cassie’s mother started to close the door behind herself, Bella gasped.
Amy heard Mrs. Van Bibber say, “I’ve grown to understand what you see in your small-town man, but I will never understand why you moved to this middle-of-nowhere place.” Then the door closed before anyone else could enter.
Amy looked over at Bella. “Should we go in there to help her or leave her alone?”
Bella stared at the door. “It’s a tough call. As maid of honor, I should be helping the bride. But I don’t know how we would get her mother away from her. It’s rarely a joyful moment when she’s nearby.”
Paige stepped beside them. “They’re in there alone. This isn’t good, is it?”
Bella shook her head.
“Can she be given some sort of task?”
“That’s a great idea.” Amy would like to find a way to help the situation. “As I go through the list of everything that needs to be done, nothing seems to be right for her.”
Mrs. Brantley appeared. “Is there a problem?”
Bella explained in a hushed voice.
Mrs. Brantley turned to the door, rapped on it twice, then went inside without waiting for a reply. She heard Mrs. Brantley greeting Cassie’s mother warmly. Then she said, “We suddenly realized we’ve neglected a certain task. It needs somebody in the wedding party with stature. Would you be willing to help?”
Amy could see Cassie’s mother fidgeting in her chair, probably trying to find a graceful way to get out of it.
“Cassie normally has her team here, but we couldn’t leak word of the wedding enough to bring them in. Someone needs to stand just outside the entrance to the sanctuary to make sure each person in the wedding enters in the proper order. Dresses need to be hanging correctly, and ties must be straight. I know this is a letdown because you’re the mother of the bride, and you should be seated up front before the music begins. Do you think you’ll be able to help us?”
As Mrs. Brantley spoke, Cassie’s mother sat up straighter. By the time she finished, her shoulders were back. “I do like it when things run properly. I can make my way around to the front after the wedding party has passed by. Do you think that will work?”
Amy saw Mrs. Brantley glance subtly at Cassie, who gave a small nod. Mrs. Brantley reached down and tugged slightly on Mrs. Van Bibber’s arm. “Let’s get you in place right now. It’s a little while before the wedding, but the extra time will help you get the lay of the land.”
“It’s a good thing I’m here then, right?” Mrs. Van Bibber said as she exited the room and passed them.
Bella whispered, “Mrs. Brantley never ceases to amaze me. Can I be her when I grow up?”
“She certainly is something,” Amy said.
With the change in place, Bella went inside with Cassie. Amy felt someone at her side and turned to find Scott. “I thought you were supposed to be at the farm.”
He nodded. “I received notice of reassignment this morning. Mrs. Brantley said she needed help here. I’m wearing one of Greg’s suits.” He gestured toward his clothing.
She grinned. “You look good in it.” And he definitely did look good in the navy jacket and pants.
“I’m to stay by your side so we can make sure everything goes well.”
Amy stared up into his eyes. Being at Scott’s side sounded just right, but she had a feeling Mrs. Brantley was playing matchmaker.
When Greg arrived, Scott went into motion, taking the groom to the room he and Micah, the best man, would use.
Amy tapped on the bride’s door when something occurred to her, opening the door slightly. “Cassie, I just realized something. We didn’t ask your father about giving you away. Do you want him to do that?”
Cassie smiled. “I’m certain my mother has already taken care of that.”
Amy glanced over and saw Cassie’s mother straightening her father’s tie and gesturing down the aisle with what must have been directions for him.
Amy’s own mother was fun and, in general, pretty laid back. She’d be great to have at a wedding.
Time passed quickly, and soon Scott came over to tell them Greg and Micah were at the front of the church. Cassie’s father waited just outside the door for her.
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Cassie’s mother made sure everyone entered correctly, and she actually performed a necessary service because the order and timing were flawless. After that, she gracefully went around the outside edge of the pews to the front to sit beside her husband.
When it came time for the vows, Cassie and Greg used traditional vows instead of ones they had written. Greg had told Amy that since Cassie wouldn’t have time to create hers in advance, they would use the well-known version but without the word obey . He wanted a life partner, not someone in a different role.
After a kiss that made Amy remember kissing Scott—and wish she could have another one or a thousand more kisses with him—Cassie and Greg were pronounced husband and wife and turned to walk down the aisle. Amy had thought Cassie was smiling before, but now she could light up a room.
When they reached the back, Cassie hugged her and Bella. “Thank you for all the work you and everyone else put into this. I am thrilled beyond words that I’m now Cassie Brantley.”
Greg asked, “Should we tell her where the reception is?”
Amy looked over at Cassie and shrugged. “Your call.”
“I’m overjoyed with everything that’s happening. Please tell me where.”
“The barn at Cherry and Levi’s.”
“Oh, good! That may be my favorite venue in the area. I know the cupcakes are the ones I tasted and approved. Does that mean the food will be the appetizers Nick made?”
Greg grinned. “You should have seen the spymasters at work.”
“This is the best wedding I could ever imagine. I didn’t have to do anything. I wasn’t stressed out. And you made sure to have things Greg and I would love. You guys are the best. But where’s Simone?”
“She raced out after the ceremony and said she was on her way to deliver cupcakes. She didn’t want them to sit out too long. By the time you arrive at the farm, Simone—and your cupcakes—will be there.”
The crowd jostled around them as people moved toward the exit and off to the reception. When Cassie turned to greet people, Mrs. Brantley took her arm.
“My dear, there will be plenty of time to speak to all the guests at the reception. We’d better get you going with your photos. I know Paige is waiting outside.”
As the couple went outside, Scott stood beside Amy. “I went to two family weddings, one for my sister and one for a brother. They were easy compared to this because I just showed up. I had no idea what went on behind the scenes.”
“I think I’d like something simple for my own wedding.” Amy gasped. “Not that I’m planning on getting married anytime soon. It’s just an observation after being part of this.”
Scott nodded, but he looked at her in a way she couldn’t quite place.
The bride and groom got in their limo and left as soon as James and Paige finished with the photos. Amy and Scott followed behind in his truck.