Chapter 33
Melinda and Adam entered the grand hall at Rosecliff. She felt her mouth drop open. She was speechless.
“Mel.” Adam grabbed her hand and chuckled. “Are you okay?”
She nodded and in slow motion turned a three-sixty, lost in the moment. She crossed to the heart-shaped staircase, walked up four wide marble stairs and ran her hand over the ornate banister.
In a reverent voice she said, “Molly is going to walk down these stairs tonight.”
“That’s her plan.” He smiled as he walked up the stairs to stand next to her. “This is stunning.”
“They sure did get lucky with this place.”
A hum of voices caught Melinda’s attention. “That must be the happy couple.” She skipped down the stairs and looked back in time to see Adam wince.
“Your knee is still bothering you.” She stated it as a fact, not a question.
He shook his head. “You don’t miss a trick.”
She lightly ran back up the steps and gave him her hand. “You kept me from tumbling down the stairs earlier—the least I can do is be here for you.”
He took her hand and their fingers interlaced. She looked down and saw how well they fit together. His long fingers were warm and he held hers with just the right amount of pressure. She gave his hand a squeeze.
He gave her a wink. “This is going to be quite a day.”
She couldn’t help but wonder what he might be thinking.
She noticed Molly and Tim were waiting near an archway. Molly called to them, “Hi, guys! Isn’t this the most amazing place you’ve ever seen?” She gazed at Tim. “And tonight, I’m marrying the love of my life.”
Tim tenderly kissed her lips and murmured something that Melinda was sure was sweet.
Adam clapped him on his back. “You guys are having the wedding of the year.”
Tim grinned. “No one is going to top this, especially since there’s only a couple of weeks left.”
Adam chuckled. “Timing is everything.”
Melinda turned to Molly and asked, “What do you need me to do?”
“Come see the table settings. They’re stunning and the flowers are spectacular.” She seemed to float on air. “The holiday season is the perfect time to get married. Built-in decorations that just need a tweak or two, and there you go.” Molly pointed to the candelabras that flanked either side of a table for two. “Can you picture them lit? We’ll dine in a romantic glow.”
“Molly, I don’t think the candlelight can add a thing. You’re glowing now.” Melinda gave her a one-armed hug. “What does your bouquet look like?”
She gushed, “White roses, with holly and ivy, tied with red satin ribbon entwined with white lace that matches my dress.”
“That is going to be beautiful.”
“Melinda, come with me a minute, I want to be serious.” She pulled out two chairs and Melinda sat down. Molly faced her and said, “The best thing that has ever happened to me is because of you. If Stacey and Will hadn’t signed up for It’s Just Coffee, they wouldn’t have met. That was the beginning of so many couples meeting, including Tim and me.”
Melinda clasped her hand. “I was doing what you hired me to do.”
“Yes, you were, but will you do something else for me?”
“If I can.”
She glanced in Adam’s direction. “I’m not sure what happened to your husband, but I have eyes. I see how Adam looks at you. He cares for you.”
“Molly, I don’t think we should be talking about me—today is your special day.” She didn’t want to tell Molly she had strong feelings for Adam. She just wasn’t sure what to do about them.
Molly’s eyes grew wide. “This is exactly the right time. You helped me find love. All I’m suggesting is that you give Adam a real chance. Take a long look at him. You might just find what you help so many others find, true happiness.” She clasped Melinda’s hand. “Please think about it.”
Melinda was at a loss for words. She nodded. “I will.”
Molly pulled her into a hug. “Let’s go find the guys and see if we can round up Stacey and Will. We have things to do.”
“We’d better get busy. I think Stacey and Will are going back to the inn to get changed when we leave,” Melinda said.
“Oh, you could have gotten ready here. There are plenty of rooms.” Molly giggled like a schoolgirl. “This place is huge.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be back in plenty of time.” Melinda gave her a quick hug. “Besides I want to come up the driveway and walk through the doors, sort of pretending we’re in the gilded age of high society.”
Molly laughed. “Then by all means make an entrance.”
“Hey, I just thought of something—isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the big moment?”
“Only if I’m wearing my wedding dress. Trust me, there is no way Tim is going to see me in that until the clock strikes six.”
Adam stood at the bottom of the stairs, mesmerized as Melinda glided down the staircase. She had carefully arranged her hair on top of her head, and long, sparkly pearl earrings gently swayed from her ears. A strand of pearls with a teardrop gem graced her throat. Her dark green dress moved as if it was made of silk and hugged to her curves in all the right places. Around her shoulders she wore a black stole. She walked carefully on high-heels, and as she approached the stair with the troublesome edge, Adam took a step toward her.
He held out his hand. “You look gorgeous.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You smell great too.”
She smiled and ran her gaze from the tips of his shoes to his eyes. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
He held tight to her hand as she finished descending the stairs. “I’ve heard all men look good in formalwear.”
She cocked her head. “Some more than others.” They reached the bottom of the stairs and she held out the car keys. “Would you care to drive?”
Without taking them, he opened up the front door. Parked in the driveway a driver stood next to a town car. The driver opened the door when he saw them.
“I thought we’d catch a ride tonight.”
She squeezed his hand. “Oh. Adam, how sweet.”
“It’s nothing.” Adam held up the hem of her dress as she got into the car so it wouldn’t get wet and closed her door. He adjusted his tie, taking a minute to settle his nerves. Looking at Mel made him want to skip the wedding and have a romantic night for two. He then went around to the other side and got in. The car was warm and the back seat felt intimate. Mel sank into the plush cushions.
“Too bad we don’t have a longer trip. I could get used to this.”
As they drove down Main Street, Christmas lights were sparkling, entwined around old-fashioned lampposts. Wreaths with large red bows dotted many doorways, and they even saw a group of carolers dressed in turn-of-the-century costumes in King Park.
She leaned forward and slid the window down. “We’re taking Ocean Boulevard.”
He grinned. “I knew the direct route wouldn’t be near as much fun as going this way. We have plenty of time.”
Mel took his hand and Adam felt her warmth spread through him. He wished these moments would never end. He was surprised at himself, all these tender thoughts for his matchmaker, the woman who was going to help him find love and maybe even lifelong happiness. He suspected he’d found it in her. Life certainly had its twists and turns.
The car slowed as they turned down the street lined with mansions. She gave a slight shiver due to the cold air that wafted into the car as they made their way, slowly down the street. It allowed her time to drink in the sights. Her eyes were bright as she closed the window and looked at Adam. “I wonder how Molly is feeling right this moment.”
“I’ll bet the bride and groom are a bundle of nerves.” Adam pointed. “Look. Rosecliff.”
Lights spilled across the snow-covered lawn. The mansion dressed in her holiday best. Shimmering, welcoming Adam and Melinda.
Their car stopped and the driver opened Adam’s door first. “Give me a minute to get around to your door.”
Melinda touched his arm. “I will.”
Standing next to the curb, Adam held out his hand. “Shall we?”
She put hers in his and looked into his eyes. His heart flipped. She had so much more than just physical beauty. She radiated elegance, charm and warmth.
“You’re being very formal.”
He swept his free arm toward the grandeur behind them. “I do believe it’s the setting. It must be rubbing off on me.”
They climbed the few stairs and the front door swung open. A woman was waiting for them in the main entrance and offered to take their coats. Melinda slipped her stole off. Her cheeks were pink. Adam wondered if it was the cold outside or the opulence indoors. He, for one, certainly had the distinct impression they had stepped back into another era.
Adam tucked Mel’s hand into the crook of his arm. “Let’s find a seat where we can see everything.”
“I’m sure they’re all excellent.” Mel’s voice was hushed. “Do you want to sit on the bride or groom’s side?”
“You choose.” He smiled down at her.
She pointed to two chairs close to the center on the right. They proceeded to sit down. Soft music emanated from the string quartet. She whispered, “I didn’t realize so many people were coming.” She scanned the room. “There must be at least seventy-five chairs.”
“Will said when everyone heard the location, they had very few people decline.”
Melinda turned around. The minister had taken his spot on the bottom of the heart-shaped staircase. Next Tim came down the aisle with Will by his side. They were smiling and shaking hands and greeting everyone as they walked.
Adam leaned over. “He doesn’t look nervous at all.”
“I’m not surprised. They’re ready for this next step,” Melinda whispered back.
The music changed and the quartet began to play “A Thousand Years.” Adam sang the words to himself: he felt as if he had loved Melinda for a thousand years…
He glanced at the bride but then watched Mel watching Molly. Her apparent joy at their happiness filled his heart.
Tim took a step toward his bride and stretched out his hand to her. They walked to the minister together. Adam slipped his arm around Mel and held her close. He was proud that her skill brought two wonderful people to this place and time.
She leaned into him and turned her face to his. “Look at Molly and Tim. That is true love.”
He tenderly kissed her lips.