Knives and Nuptials Read online

  “Well, that's what you have me for,” Celeste said with a sniff in Wendy's direction. “Really, I don't know why a wedding planner would even suggest such a thing.”

  Wendy opened her mouth to defend herself but Anne just shook her head. Wendy almost jumped as a shrill ring came from Celeste’s cell phone. It set her nerves on edge it was so loud.

  “I'll get the car,” Celeste said as she answered the call and walked towards her car. Wendy turned back to Anne.

  “Anne, this is your wedding,” she said gently. “I know that you are trying to be nice, but you really should get to wear the dress you love, and get married how you please.”

  “I know,” Anne admitted with a sigh. “She's got her nose in everything. But the truth is that I don't really care what dress I wear, or where I get married, as long as I get to marry Rowan. He is the love of my life. I just want us to have a beautiful day, and that has nothing to do with all of these little things, does it?”

  Wendy smiled at Anne's sentiment. “I couldn't agree with you more,” she nodded. “But if you feel that you need me to stand up to Celeste a little more, just let me know.”

  “I just don't want to start a war,” Anne explained. “I know that it just makes me look like a pushover, but I have a feeling no one has ever won a war against Celeste.”

  “You might be right about that,” Wendy laughed softly. A horn blared, indicating that Celeste was waiting for Anne.

  “I'll meet you tomorrow for the cake tasting,” Anne said swiftly. “Rowan will be coming with me!”

  “Fantastic,” Wendy said and waved to her as she hurried towards the car. Wendy watched the pair pull off in Celeste's luxury sedan. She tried to have a positive attitude about the wedding, but instead she had a sinking feeling that things were not going to end well.

  Chapter Two

  Wendy spent the rest of her day reviewing the necessities for the wedding. She tried to avoid thinking about Celeste and her bad attitude. But her mind kept drifting back to it. The next morning she woke up looking forward to enjoying the cake tasting with Rowan and Anne. She did her best to put Celeste completely out of her mind. When she arrived at the little bakery that was providing the wedding cake, Wendy had a better attitude, until she stepped through the door and saw Celeste seated right between Anne and Rowan. Wendy clenched her teeth, plastered on a smile and walked confidently into the bakery.

  “Hi all,” she smiled at the three.

  “Hi Wendy,” Anne said with a broad smile. “Rowan, you remember Wendy, right?”

  “Of course I do,” Rowan smiled. “You're making our dream wedding come true.”

  Wendy laughed appreciatively and sat down across from Rowan, Anne, and Celeste. She did her best to hide her disappointment at Celeste's presence. Instead she focused on Rowan.

  “Rowan, how are you?” she asked. “Did you find the tuxedo you wanted?”

  “He's wearing a suit,” Celeste said sharply. “A tuxedo is a costume, this isn't a costume party, it's a wedding.”

  Anne grimaced and stared at the table. Wendy cleared her throat and smiled. “Okay then,” she nodded. “I've arranged a wide selection of cakes for you to try. Because well, the best part of picking a cake is taste testing, right?” she smiled warmly at the three. Rowan nodded and rubbed his hands together. Anne smiled enthusiastically. Celeste sat back in her chair and narrowed her eyes. Wendy gritted her teeth and gestured to the waitress to bring over the first selections.

  “Oh, this is so dry,” Celeste said and coughed dramatically. “Water? Is there water?” she called out plaintively as if she was about to die from thirst.

  The bakery assistant hurried over with a glass of water.

  “It doesn't seem dry to me,” Rowan said with a frown.

  “It's a little crumbly,” Anne pointed out, obviously trying to support Celeste.

  “Well, maybe we should focus on creamier cakes,” Wendy suggested and nodded to the assistant. The next round of cakes was brought out. A small plate with a sample size of the cake was placed in front of each one of them. Before Anne could even take a bite of her cake, Celeste scrunched up her nose.

  “Anne, maybe you should let Rowan take over the taste testing,” Celeste suggested.

  “Huh?” Anne looked up at her with surprise, her fork poised above the cake she was about to taste. “Why?”

  “Mom, what are you talking about?” Rowan asked with a touch of dread. Wendy glanced over at Celeste.

  “I'm just asking if you really think it's such a good idea to stuff your face with so much cake right before the wedding?” Celeste frowned. “I mean, we wouldn't want to have to let the dress out again.”

  “We only had to let it out in the first place because you chose a new dress for me,” Anne reminded her.

  “Oh, I didn't choose it,” Celeste laughed. “I would never choose your dress for you, Anne. I just showed you a better option. I am glad you came to your senses though.”

  “Mom, Anne can eat as much cake as she wants,” Rowan said and shook his head.

  “Rowan, this doesn't concern you,” Celeste said impatiently. “Men cannot possibly understand the pressure of putting on a few pounds. Only women can, right Anne? I mean how embarrassing would it be to be squeezed like a sausage into that beautiful dress?”

  “Mom!” Rowan said sharply. Wendy watched as Rowan stood up from his chair. “This is getting out of hand, Mother. I'm not going to let you treat Anne the way you treat Suzette.”

  “Whatever do you mean?” Celeste asked and glared at her son. “This is how you speak to your mother? When we are out in public no less? You should be ashamed of yourself Rowan Matthew!”

  Wendy glanced over at Anne whose cheeks were on fire. “It's okay, Rowan,” she said softly. “Your mother is right. I shouldn't be eating all of this sugar. It might make me have a sugar crash, and there's so much to do. Why don't you do the tasting for me?” she suggested. “You know I trust your opinion.”

  Rowan looked angry but he sat back down in his chair. Wendy noticed that he shot a withering glare in Celeste's direction. “Fine,” he said gruffly. “I liked the first one.”

  “The dry one?” Celeste gasped.

  “Mother,” Rowan shot her a dark look. “Anne said I should choose, and that's what I am choosing.”

  “Out of spite,” Celeste snapped back. “Just because you know it is terrible, you're picking it.”

  “You know what,” Rowan shoved his chair back from the table. “You pick the cake, Mother,” he said and reached for Anne's hand. Anne hesitated. She looked from Wendy, to Celeste, then to Rowan. Wendy felt so much sympathy for the poor woman who looked a bit like a deer caught in headlights waiting for the inevitable.

  “I think that's a wonderful idea,” Wendy said warmly. “Celeste and I can choose a cake, and you and Anne can have a nice meal at the cafe next door. Does that sound good?”

  “Lovely,” Anne nodded with relief.

  “I could eat,” Rowan agreed, his voice still edged with frustration.

  “Of course, leave me to do all of the work,” Celeste sighed and rolled her eyes.

  Wendy had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. Celeste was so incredibly fussy that it was practically humorous. But Anne's worried expression, and Rowan's stormy gaze, reminded her that this was no joke. Celeste was practically torturing Anne, and seemed to be enjoying every moment of it.

  “So Celeste, are you married?” Wendy asked as she took a bite of her cake.

  “Not currently,” Celeste replied and took a small bite of her cake.

  “What was your wedding like?” Wendy asked. She hoped to broach the topic and perhaps convince Celeste that she should be more lenient with Anne's plans. But Celeste was not the least bit interested in conversation.

  “This will do,” she said with a shrug. “I'll be going now,” she stood up from the table and walked right out of the bakery.

  Wendy stared after her for a moment and then just shook her head. She orde
red the cake that Celeste had chosen and then headed out of the bakery as well. She had plans to meet with a few of the vendors at the hotel where the wedding would be held. She was glad to get away from Celeste for a little while. She sent Anne a text to let her know that she was welcome to join her at the hotel if she'd like to discuss anything with the vendors. Then she drove to the hotel. When she arrived at the hotel she was swept up in the final confirmations for several things, from the catering, to the music, to the centerpieces. By the time she had a chance to take a breath, Anne had arrived.

  “Did I miss everyone?” she asked. “Celeste insisted on joining us for lunch, and things took a little longer than expected.”

  “I have Lisa from Petals and More coming in to handle the flowers,” Wendy explained with a smile. She had worked with her often and was looking forward to working with her again.

  “Sounds perfect,” Anne said with a smile. “I have to tell you that you have made all of this so pleasant for me, Wendy. You seem to have the magic touch to make everything turn out perfect.”

  “The important thing to remember, Anne, is that this wedding is about you and Rowan, no one else,” Wendy reminded her and was about to bring up Celeste's interference when the woman herself walked through the door of the banquet hall.

  “So, what’s next on the agenda?” Celeste asked immediately.

  “The florist is coming in,” Wendy said politely.

  “And just who is this florist?” Celeste said with attitude.

  “Lisa from Petals and More,” Wendy explained trying to keep calm as she brought up some photos of her arrangements on her tablet.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Celeste said and scrunched up her nose as soon as she looked at the screen. “When Suzette and Chris got married my dear friend Beverly handled the flowers. The arrangements were unique, and classy. Not just a bunch of blooms thrown together.”

  “Trust me, Lisa does a wonderful job,” Wendy said warmly.

  “Well, of course you would say that,” Celeste muttered. “You're obviously getting a kickback from promoting her as your florist.”

  “Celeste,” Anne sighed and shook her head. “Wendy knows what she is doing.”

  “Does she?” Celeste shrugged. “Have you seen this Lisa's work?” she asked.

  “I have shown Anne these examples from previous weddings,” Wendy interjected as she pointed at the screen. Her patience was beginning to wear thin. She was not as calm and accepting as Anne seemed to be. “She liked everything she saw. Didn't you Anne?”

  “Yes, I did,” Anne said with a brighter smile. “I am sure that she is the right florist for the wedding.”

  “But you can't be sure, can you?” Celeste asked as she narrowed her eyes. “I actually witnessed Beverly in action. I smelled her flowers, I know that they were fresh. There's nothing worse at a wedding than wilting flowers you know. That's just bad luck.”

  “Celeste,” Anne said sharply, drawing a look of surprise from both Celeste and Wendy. “This is my wedding, and I want to use Wendy's florist.”

  Celeste's eyes widened. Her lips parted in a dramatic display of shock. She looked over at Wendy.

  “Well, I do believe that Anne is getting a case of the Bridezilla,” she laughed. “Of course it's your wedding, Anne. Who has ever implied that it wasn't?” she shook her head dismissively. Wendy was fuming. But when she looked over at Anne, she managed a smile.

  “All right, let's let Wendy get back to work. Maybe I could use a glass of wine,” Anne suggested.

  Wendy was fascinated by how easily Anne shrugged Celeste off as if nothing she said or did had any impact on her. But Wendy knew better. It was wearing on Anne. She just hoped it wouldn't explode before the wedding, or worse, at the wedding. After Anne and Celeste headed for the hotel bar, Wendy breathed a sigh of relief and smiled as she looked over the room. At the moment it was nothing but white walls, high ceilings and some plain tables with white tablecloths. But she knew that when she and the rest of her crew were done with it, it would look very stylish and romantic.

  “Hi, Wendy,” a voice called out from the doorway of the banquet room. Wendy turned to see Lisa walking towards her with a large bouquet of flowers. “Sorry I am late I got held up thanking the manager for giving someone a job on my recommendation.”

  “That’s okay,” Wendy said with a smile. “We’ve been busy with other things.”

  “I brought you the sample you asked for,” Lisa said as she showed Wendy the flowers. She had intertwined the lush, green stems and leaves with beaded lace and ribbons with subtle glitter that really made the flowers pop.

  “They're beautiful,” Wendy said as she studied them intently. “I really like the lace,” she added. Lisa was always coming up with new and inventive ways to make the flowers a seamless part of the ceremony.

  “So gorgeous,” Anne squealed from the doorway. Wendy laughed as she nodded to Anne.

  “I told you she's talented.”

  Rowan stepped in behind Anne. He had his fingers laced through hers as Wendy and Anne fussed over the flowers and complimented Lisa's work.

  “Lisa, can I borrow this bouquet?” Wendy asked. “I just want to compare the shading to three choices of ribbons I have. I want to make sure the colors blend well.”

  “Of course,” Lisa nodded. “In fact if you want me to look with you, I can let you know if we have any alternative flower colors that might work better.”

  “Perfect,” Wendy nodded.

  “Anne, I needed to ask if you had a song picked out for your first dance?” Wendy asked.

  “Oh, no,” Anne frowned. “I didn't even think about that.”

  “Do you and Rowan have a song that means something special to you?” Wendy asked hopefully.

  “Not really,” Anne shrugged. “We've never really gone out dancing.”

  “No worries,” Wendy smiled. She flipped open her binder. “I just happen to have a CD here with a compilation of popular first dance songs, and a few of my favorites. Why don't you and Rowan take a drive around the neighborhood and see if you can pick one you both like?” she suggested.

  “Okay,” Anne nodded eagerly. She took the CD from Wendy and walked over to join Rowan. Wendy smiled to herself when Rowan leaned close to kiss Anne softly. It was clear that he was in love with her. She was glad this would give the two of them some time alone together. She had a feeling that with Celeste around that was something they didn't get too often.

  Rowan and Anne weren't gone for long before Celeste walked through the door. Wendy was right in the middle of discussing which material appeared to match best when she looked up to see just what she dreaded.

  “Speak of the devil,” she muttered under her breath as Celeste waltzed into the room. Wendy did her best to smile and muster a friendly tone.

  “Hello, Celeste,” she said. “I wasn't expecting you to come back.”

  “Clearly,” Celeste said as she swept her gaze over the banquet room. “Are you planning on doing anything to improve this room?”

  “Of course, it's not decorated, yet,” Wendy pointed out with a short laugh. “But I can promise you no birds will get in here.”

  “Don't be cute, Wendy,” Celeste sniped and shook her head. “I just hope all of my friends will understand that I had nothing to do with any of this,” she sighed. “It will be so embarrassing for them to see my son getting married this way.”

  With each word that Celeste spoke Wendy became more and more frustrated. She was about to give the woman a scathing lesson in manners, when Lisa piped up.

  “Trust me, Wendy puts on the most amazing weddings,” Lisa gushed. Wendy grimaced. She knew that Lisa was only trying to help. She also knew that Lisa had just painted a target on her own forehead.

  “And who are you?” Celeste asked as she turned to look at her.

  “My name is Lisa,” Lisa smiled. “I'm the florist.”

  “Not anymore you're not,” Celeste said casually. “I have someone else coming in to take care of
it.”

  Lisa stared at Celeste, obviously shocked.

  “Celeste, Anne agreed that she wanted Lisa to do the flowers,” Wendy said sternly. “We've already coordinated them with the material for the ribbons and tablecloths.”

  “That hideous bouquet?” Celeste shook her head. “My boys, they both went for looks over brains. Unfortunately, sometimes I have to clean up their messes.”

  Wendy was furious, but as she moved to speak, Lisa spoke before she could.

  “I'm sorry if you don't like the bouquet,” Lisa said quietly. “I have many other options to choose from.”

  “Listen to me you little corner store peddler,” Celeste said and stepped closer to Lisa. “The only option I want from you, is the option to pretend I never laid eyes on you. Now get out of my sight before I buy your little shop and put you out of business, to be honest it would be an act of charity,” she snapped her hand sharply to the side, indicating that Lisa should leave the room.

  “Celeste, that is completely uncalled for,” Wendy protested and stepped between Celeste and Lisa. “Unless Anne tells me that she would prefer a different florist, I can't allow you to terminate the contract I have already agreed to with Lisa.”

  “Blah, blah, blah,” Celeste rolled her eyes. “Anne will do exactly what I tell her to do. Beverly will be here any minute with the samples I requested. Really, who thinks lilacs are good at a wedding?” she shook her head.

  Lisa turned away from Wendy and Celeste. She tried to disguise the fact that she was visibly upset by how she had been spoken to. Lisa was usually nothing less than professional, but Celeste had a way of cutting straight to the core with her words.

  “These are the flowers that Anne chose,” Wendy said flatly.

  “Yes, they are,” Anne said as she stepped into the room. Her arm was curled around Rowan's. “Celeste, what do you think you're doing?” she asked with obvious frustration.

  “I am just making some better arrangements,” Celeste explained. “This florist has no real experience with the type of high end wedding that we are planning. I'm just trying to save you some embarrassment, Anne.”