You Say It First
Page 36

“Help has arrived,” she said.
Carol laughed. “Oh, good. A cowboy. Just what I need.” She walked to the trailer. “I mean that sincerely, by the way, although I have a feeling the zebras are going to freak him out.”
Cade walked up in time to hear the last comment. He shook his head. “Nothing on four legs can best me.”
“Brag much?” Pallas asked, giving him a quick hug. “Okay, I’m drowning. I need to know that you two will handle the zebra situation for me.”
“We’ve got it,” Carol assured her. “Go have a nice wedding. I’m already happy—the check cleared and now I can afford Millie’s pricey treats.”
Pallas waved at them, then hurried back toward the main venue. She’d barely reached the edge of the parking lot when a stretch limo pulled up.
Catherine was early. Pallas liked when a bride was on time and early was even better. Maybe she’d been wrong thinking the rain was a bad omen.
Only the second the rear door of the limo opened and Catherine stepped out, Pallas realized she’d relaxed just a little too soon. The tall, willowy blonde’s face was red and puffy from crying. Several attendants followed, each looking more than a little shaken.
“What’s wrong?” Pallas asked.
“Everything. I hate my dress. I don’t know why I bought it. Have you seen the flowers? I haven’t, but I know they’re a disaster. I’m not even sure I still love Byron. What was I thinking? I want to call off the wedding.”
Pallas ignored the sudden pile of rocks sitting in her stomach, along with the rush of panic. She’d been through this before. Brides frequently slipped over the edge on their wedding day. She was a pro and knew exactly what to do.
She took Catherine by her arm. “Let’s get you inside. Have you eaten today? You look pale. Maybe some tea and toast will help. Then we’ll talk about everything that’s wrong and fix it.” She turned to the bridesmaids. “Is her dress in the trunk? Please bring it inside.”
She got Catherine settled in the bride’s room, then texted Alan. He appeared almost immediately and hurried to Catherine’s side.
“Oh, my dear, what you’re going through. How are you holding up?” He studied her blotchy face and straight hair. “Where are your beauty people? When are they due to arrive? Should I call and yell at them for you? I’m very good at it.” He took her hand in his. “You’re like ice. My goodness, who is taking care of you? Let me get you a soft blanket and some tea. You’re the bride. You can’t be expected to handle everything yourself. Let me help.”
Catherine visibly relaxed. Pallas exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Alan would work his magic on the bride, as he always did. The wedding would go forward and all would be well. The skies were clear and they had zebras. Everything was going to be just fine. She was sure of it.
* * *
THE AFTERNOON PASSED QUICKLY. Alan stayed with Catherine, the beauty team arrived and did their thing. At five, the ushers were seating the guests, and at five forty-five, the beautiful bride walked down the aisle. Pallas stood in the back next to Alan as they watched the ceremony move smoothly forward.
“See,” he whispered. “It’s fine.”
“You were right.”
“Three of my favorite words. I’m going to make you repeat them again and again.”
Pallas left to check on the catering. Silver had her trailer set up and was mixing the signature drinks; the bride’s specially hired DJ had already started setting up his equipment. Nick, who only needed to be a courtier for the procession, had already changed back into street clothes.
“Feeling better?” he asked.
“Much. I still think the server costumes are a little slutty, but that wasn’t my call. We have food, we have drinks, we have music.” She glanced over to where the DJ had set up his equipment. “I’m going to start breathing more deeply now.”
“Good.” Nick put his arm around her. “Want me to take your picture with the zebras?”
“Maybe later. Do they seem calm? They were tense when they arrived.”
“I gave them valium. They’re fine.”
She spun toward him and grabbed his arm. “Don’t joke about that. I mean it. I’m one crisis away from snapping.”
“Sorry. No drugging zebra jokes, although that really kills my best material.”
Pallas returned to the main building and waited for the service to end. She made sure everyone made their way to the reception area and was grateful when Catherine gave her a thumbs-up.
While the wedding party took postceremony pictures, Pallas made sure the guests had plenty to drink and that the appetizers were circulating briskly. She was so focused on that she almost didn’t hear the loud shrieks from the far side of the open area. Almost.
“Oh no! They’re loose.”
Pallas hurried to the gates just in time to see three zebras running down the road.
“Should have let me drug them,” Nick murmured as Carol and Cade got in his truck and hurried after them. Pallas spotted four teenage boys laughing by the temporary fencing. She narrowed her gaze and started toward them.
Nick grabbed her arm. “Slow down there, little lady. What are you going to say?”
“That they’re jerks and they have to leave.”
He didn’t respond—instead he held her gaze until she slumped against him. “You’re right. I can’t yell at them—they’re with the wedding party. I hate this. The rain was an omen. What do we do now? How can we help Cade and Carol get back the zebras?”
“Aren’t there horse people who work at the ranch?”
She brightened. “Yes. You’re right. I’ll call them. I’m sure Cade has thought of it, so I’ll check with him first.”
Nick took her cell phone from her. “Let me do that. You focus on the wedding.”
“Thank you.” She turned back to the guests only to see Silver walking toward her. Her friend didn’t look happy. “What’s wrong?”
“My vodka stash is missing. I don’t know who took it but based on the number of bottles, we’re going to have some very drunk people around in the next hour.” Silver crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s my own damn fault. I didn’t lock the cabinet. I always lock the cabinet. I don’t get it. That’s not like me.”
“It’s the rain,” Pallas told her. “I thought everything was going to be okay, but it’s not.”
“At least the wedding is behind us. We only have a few hours until the reception is over. We’ll get through it.”
Pallas hoped she was right.
The meal service went off without a hitch, as did the toast. Right before the first dance, small cups filled with rose petals were passed out for the guests to throw at the bride and groom. Sadly one of the grandmothers must have gotten into the vodka because instead of throwing rose petals, she tossed her cup of coffee right on Catherine’s dress. The bride’s shrieks were loud enough to wake the dead.
Pallas and Alan got most of the stain out and dried her off as best they could. She returned to the reception, ready to have her first dance. The DJ got on the microphone and asked everyone to gather around for the special moment.
“The first dance symbolizes the true love between a man and a woman,” he told them. “But in this case, not so much.” He pulled a handgun out of his jacket pocket and pointed it toward the guests. “This is a robbery, people. I want your money, your keys and your cell phones.”