CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Instead of returning to their table for dessert, Morgan and Brad went over to where Ann and Rhonda were talking.
They turned to them with a smile.
“How’s the evening going?” Ann asked.
“Very well. In fact, we have a big favor to ask of you,” said Morgan. “Is it possible for Brad and me to get married here in the next day or two, before we’re scheduled to leave?”
“I knew it,” said Rhonda. “I could hear wedding bells in my head when I saw you two.”
Ann shook her head. “You’ll have to forgive Rhonda. She loves seeing people get married. We both do. It’s one of our pleasures to be able to offer such a stunning setting for them here at the hotel.”
“Because it will be a mid-week wedding, that will make it easier to squeeze you in,” said Ann. “How many people are we talking about?”
“If they can do it, four adults and two children,” Morgan replied. She clasped her hands together. “We haven’t told them yet.”
“Okay, we’ll meet tomorrow morning to discuss arrangements. Let us know the number of people as soon as possible. Because there will be so few, it will be easier to accommodate them.”
“We might be able to put them all in a house rental,” said Rhonda. “Ann and I will check a few options and be able to tell you more tomorrow when we meet. This is a very busy time of year for us.”
Morgan threw her arms around Rhonda and then Ann. “Thank you! Thank you!”
Brad took hold of Morgan’s hand. “C’mon. We’ve got to make a couple of phone calls. Maybe we can do it and get back to the party in time for dessert.”
Morgan laughed. “First things first.”
###
Ashley shrieked with joy when Morgan told her the news.
“Let me speak to Mark about his schedule. We’ll take the kids out of school and bring them.
They’ll be thrilled. I can’t wait to see the hotel for myself.
I’ll call you tomorrow. You’re right. We need to plan on staying for at least four days.
One to get there. One before the wedding and the wedding itself.
And then I’ll tell Mark we might as well stay for the weekend if we can get a room. ”
Morgan ended the call and went to tell Brad.
He ended a conversation with his parents and gave her a thumbs-up sign. “I even told them they might have to stay in a house with Ashley and her family, and they’re fine with that.”
Morgan danced in a circle. “This is so exciting! I think Simon would be pleased, too.”
Brad caught her arm and twirled around with her. “He was an exceptional man. No doubt he knew this was the perfect place for us to marry. I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“Let’s hope everything works out,” said Morgan, slowing to wrap her arms around Brad’s waist.
“I’m sure it will. Everyone is willing to make it happen,” said Brad. “Let’s go down and have dessert and do a little more dancing.”
“Really?” she said.
“Well, it’s more about the dessert than the dancing,” Brad admitted with a grin.
###
When they returned to the party, a huge dessert buffet had been set up. Brad took one look at it and filled his plate with treats.
Morgan chose a strawberry tart and a small piece of chocolate candy.
As she ate her dessert, she realized she had no wedding dress. She’d have to ask the owners about that.
“What’s up? Why are you frowning?” asked Brad.
“I’m realizing all the things that need to be done in such a short time,” she said.
“That’s the best part of doing something like this. All you really need to do is show up for the wedding,” said Brad. “Everything else will be taken care of.”
“Yes, but I want to choose flowers, and I have to buy a dress…”
Morgan was interrupted by the arrival of Ann and Rhonda.
“Second thoughts?” asked Ann.
“Not at all. I just wonder how everything is going to be prepared. I don’t even have a wedding dress.”
“Not a problem,” said Rhonda. “We’ll take care of all the arrangements through our wedding planners, and Ann will introduce you to the best clothing store in town to help you with a dress.”
Morgan sighed. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It is,” said Rhonda. “Trust us. We’ll meet in the morning and take care of everything.”
“Thank you,” Brad said. “I appreciate it.”
Ann and Rhonda looked at one another, and then Ann said, “Each wedding is special…and different.”
“Yeah,” said Rhonda in such a way that Morgan knew some were not easy. She became determined to enjoy her own celebration and make it easy for everyone to join in.
###
The next morning, Morgan got up early, too excited to sleep.
Careful not to wake Brad, she padded to the living room and out to the balcony overlooking the side garden.
As she watched the ground crew tend to the plants, Morgan made her choice.
This would be the best spot for a wedding.
It wouldn’t be too hot or too cold if they held it in the late afternoon.
She knew Ashley would be awake. She lifted the phone to call her. Before she could punch in the numbers, her cell rang. Ashley.
“Hi, Ashley. I was just about to call you. What did Mark say?”
“That’s why I’m calling. He said he’d arrange for days off with no problem. His partner had just come back from a vacation and would take over. No problem with the kids. I just have to find a dog sitter for our pups. I have one in mind.”
“Oh, I hope it works.” Morgan let out a long sigh. “That means so much to me. You know how much I want you all here for the wedding.”
“Are your parents coming?” Ashley said.
“No, I thought it through when I lay awake last night. As sad as it seems, it’s the right thing to do. Family drama would take over and ruin it for everyone else, including me.”
“You’re right. I know your parents well enough to understand how true it is,” said Ashley. “They would bring up your first marriage and how they told you it wouldn’t work. It has happened in my presence. You can’t let anyone ruin this time for you.”
“Thank you for saying that. It’s a shame that things are the way they are. But as someone once said, you can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends. I’m so happy you are mine.”
“Me, too. And I’m thrilled that you’ve found someone as outstanding as Brad, someone who comes from such a loving family. I can’t believe all the kind things Brad’s mother has done for you, with phone calls, little gifts, and all.”
“It makes me super excited to be part of his family. We’re only inviting his parents. Other members of his family will celebrate with us at another time.”
“I’m very honored you chose Mark, me, and the kids. Now talk to me about clothes. What’s the weather like?”
She was still talking to Ashley when Mark walked into the room in his undershorts.
“Everything okay?”
“Ashley and her family are set to come here. I told her we’d arrange the rooms or the house if that’s what the owners offer us.”
Morgan ended the call with Ashley and turned to Brad. “I’m waiting for another hour before either you or I call to confirm your parents’ participation.”
Brad pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go for a walk on the beach and talk about ideas for the wedding. It’s a perfect place to think.”
“Okay. That will give us time to have more information for your parents,” said Morgan. She rested her head against his chest and was content when she heard his heartbeat speed up. There was definitely chemistry between them.
###
On the beach, Morgan headed right for the water.
Standing in the shallow part, feeling the foamy edges of the waves reach her toes, she sighed with happiness.
She lifted her face to the blue sky and watched as puffy white clouds floated above her.
She imagined she saw shapes of wedding cakes and bouquets of pink and white flowers.
She turned to Brad. “I want to have pink flowers. Okay?”
Brad gave her an indulgent smile. “Whatever you want. It’s your wedding…Our wedding.”
“Okay. And I’ll choose a simple dress. What about you? What do you want to wear?” she asked him.
“Anything you want,” he answered, squeezing her hand. “I’m just happy that we’ve decided to do this. It makes it unique for both of us.”
“We’ll meet with Ann and Rhonda and then go from there,” said Morgan. “You’re right. The simpler, the better.”
They walked along the beach for a while longer and then hurried back to the hotel to meet with the owners.
###
When Morgan and Brad met with Ann and Rhonda, they were introduced to Lorraine Grace, the wedding planner. Brad clarified that he and Morgan would pay for the wedding, including housing for their guests.
“I think renting the house for the duration is the way to go,” said Rhonda.
“Your guests will have privacy. Traveling with children can be difficult, but the house serves families well,” added Ann.
In a short period, they all decided on a garden wedding at four o’clock in two days. A small reception and dinner would be held in the private dining room. Then their guests would be on their own.
“While you discuss details of the wedding, I’m going to call my parents,” Brad told Morgan.
“Okay,” said Morgan, excited that she would be able to choose the details she wanted.
Morgan went with Ann to a dress store, where she could be assured of excellent service.
At the store, it didn’t take Ann and Morgan long to find the right dress for a late afternoon wedding. They even found a dress for Ashley.
Back at the hotel, Morgan went to their suite, hoping to find Brad. A note was waiting for her on the entry table.
“Mom and Dad are arriving tomorrow morning. Taking care of the rings. See you later.”
Morgan clapped a hand to her mouth. She’d almost forgotten that detail. No matter what Brad chose for a wedding ring, she’d be fine with it. His selection of an engagement ring proved he had fabulous taste.
She lay down on a chaise lounge on the balcony outside their bedroom.
In what seemed like no time, she was awakened with a kiss from Brad. “Hi, Sleeping Beauty. Time to get up and make the most of our last evening alone.”