Starting Over (Nugget Romance 4) (23 page)

Nate just shrugged. “I can’t tell you what went through the woman’s head. All I know is that I’m screwed.”

“Are you planning to hire a new corporate event planner?”

“Yeah. Eventually. First I have to figure out where we’re at on the opera gala and all the other events she was in the midst of planning.”

“What about me?” Sam blurted.

“For the position?” He gaped at her. “You’re kidding me, right?”

God, could he be any more condescending?
She didn’t know if she really wanted the job. She certainly didn’t want to give up the Lumber Baron. But the more Nate said no, the more she wanted to push for it. “Let me prove myself by cleaning up the mess Tracy left.”

“You already bored with the Lumber Baron?” He took a bite of the coffee cake and watched her reaction.

“No. In fact I would combine both jobs. Fiscally, for you it would be a win-win.”

“The Theodore alone is a full-time job, Sam.”

“Not if I had a partner.” Sam thought she and Lisa could do it together.

“So basically I would still be paying two salaries. And that would help me fiscally, how?”

“You just don’t want to give me a chance.”

“Sam, this is the first job you’ve ever had and you’ve only been here six months. Why don’t we wait to see if you make it to your one-year anniversary before I give you a promotion? And for the record, being head event planner for all of Breyer Hotels would be one hell of a promotion.”

Deep down inside she knew he was right. But he just seemed to have so little faith in her and she didn’t know why. Everyone else thought she was doing such a good job.

“You’re the boss,” she said, and started to get up to leave, feeling deflated.

“Hey,” he said. “Let me ask you something.”

“What?” Maybe he’d changed his mind about letting her at least help him sort out the shoddy records Tracy had left behind. She’d love to sink her teeth into that gala. In New York she’d been on both the opera and symphony fund-raiser committees.

“You think it would be okay if I brought a date to Emily and Clay’s wedding, even though I originally told them I’d be coming solo?”

“It would be incredibly rude,” she said, knowing full well that Emily and Clay wouldn’t mind, since they’d invited the entire county. “I can’t believe you’re a leader in the hospitality industry if you have to ask a stupid question like that.”

Sam walked out and it wasn’t until she was halfway down the hallway that she heard him laughing. He’d been testing her. The creep.

T
here were no hysterics or bridezilla moments on Emily and Clay’s big day, just a cow that had somehow managed to break loose and trample everything in its path in its exuberance to make a feast of the flower garlands that had been strung along the rows of shiny white chairs.

Clay’s sons, Justin and Cody, quickly rounded up the bovine. Now all they had to do was damage control. Sam persuaded the florist to bring more flowers and she and the boys spent the morning reconstructing the boughs.

“It’s a good thing Emily didn’t see what happened,” Cody, Clay’s youngest, said. “She would’ve gotten Dad’s shotgun and killed that cow dead.”

Perhaps tomorrow Sam would find humor in a cow running amok through her event. She could safely say that in all the outdoor events she’d planned in Greenwich, there had never been a livestock incident. But there was a first time for everything.

“How does this look?” Justin held up one of the garlands.

It certainly wasn’t as professional as the florist’s, but she’d had another event to rush off to, so their improvisation would have to do. “It looks fantastic, Justin. Who knew you had such a talent with flowers?”

The boy turned red. “Hopefully no one will notice the difference,” he said, eyeing the ones still intact that the cow hadn’t gotten to.

“They won’t,” she said. “The guests will be too focused on the handsome groomsmen.” She winked at Justin. “You guys should get back to the house and get dressed. I’ll handle the rest of this.”

After making the remaining repairs to the boughs, she checked on the caterers to make sure they were setting up in their allotted spots. Lo and behold, Brady had shown up and was directing the bartenders.

“Figured you could use a little help,” he said. “Plus, Emily’s a good egg and if I butter her up enough, maybe she’ll give me her recipe for those sweet rolls she makes.”

Sam was just happy to see him. Brady knew a lot about catering and that’s where her expertise was the weakest. “I’m thrilled you’re here.” She handed him one of her diagrams. “This is the setup for the food. You want to take charge of that?”

“I’m on it,” he said, and herded a group of cooks to a row of barbecues and smokers.

She headed to the reception tent. At her direction, the tables had all been set beautifully. The floral tablecloths made the whole tent pop, and the topiary centerpieces were whimsical and fresh.

Donna found Sam talking to the leader of the string quartet while the rest of the musicians warmed up for the reception. Clay had hired a country-western band. They were unloading their equipment.

“Emily wants you to see her dress,” Donna said, and then whispered, “That’s code for champagne time.”

They walked together into the house, where Emily had turned the main floor guest room into a bridal suite. Pam, the local yoga instructor, Maddy, and Harlee sat on the bed, sipping bubbly while Darla put the finishing touches on Emily’s hair.

“You look amazing,” Sam said, taking in the bride from head to toe. Because it was both Emily and Clay’s second marriage, she’d forgone the traditional train and veil. “Seriously, you’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

“Check out the boots.” Emily stuck her feet out. “They’re something, aren’t they?”

“Oh my God, they’re fantastic.”

“That Tawny knows what she’s doing,” Donna said, and handed Sam a glass of champagne. “Drink up, girl.”

Sam took a quick sip. “I’ve gotta get back out there and make sure the trains are running on time. You look like you’ve got everything handled in here.”

“Sam, will you do me a favor?” Emily asked. “Will you check on Clay and the boys? They’ll probably need help with their boutonnieres.”

“Absolutely.” Before Sam left, she gave Emily a peck on the cheek and could’ve sworn that the bride misted up. “You okay?”

Sam knew that, more than anything, Emily wished her daughter could be here.

“I’m about as good as it gets,” Emily said, beaming so bright that the room lit up like sunshine.

“I’ll go check on the men. See you out there.”

Sam climbed the stairs to the master bedroom and knocked on the door. “You guys decent?”

“Come on in,” Clay hollered.

He and the boys were dressed in dark suits with string ties. All three wore cowboy boots with the McCreedy Ranch brand.

“Who did your boutonnieres for you? Emily thought you’d need help.”

Clay pointed at Rhys, who sat sprawled in a chair and said, “I’m good for something.”

“How’s it going out there, Red?” Clay peeked out the window at the lawn below.

“We’re good to go. So far, no glitches whatsoever.” She looked over at Justin and Cody and put her finger over her lips.

“Emily okay?” he asked.

“She couldn’t be better.”

“Donna getting her tanked?” Clay’s lips quirked up.

“They’re just having a little pre-wedding champagne. Can I get you fellows something?”

“We’re good,” Clay said, and looked at his watch. “Should we come down now?”

“Sure. The guests should be arriving soon. I’m planning to do a last walkthrough, so I’ll see you in a few.”

“Hey, Red, you’ve done a great job.” He pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you for making this easy for Emily.”

“I loved every minute of it,” she said, then dashed down the stairs and quickly conferred with Brady, who had the food and beverages under control.

Sam checked off the remainder of her to-do list as she circled the lawn. Then she took a second to lean against a tree to readjust her sling-backs. Next time she’d be sure to wear more comfortable shoes. These were killing her, though she had to admit that they made her legs look good. Long and lean.

The valets had already started transporting guests in horse-drawn carriages from the parking area.

Originally, Emily had argued that the carriages were a little kitschy for her taste, but ultimately they decided that the horse-drawn carts beat using vans or small tour buses. She saw Nate alight from one of the carriages in a suit and a pair of Oakley sunglasses that made him look like a movie star. Hugh Jackman. She pretended not to notice him and went back to looking busy.

The quartet started playing while the guests mingled. Servers passed lemonade in mason jars and the bar opened for those who wanted something harder. Clay’s idea. Sam noticed Nate bellying up to get himself a drink. She also saw a striking older woman on the arm of Lucky Rodriguez. The woman had more of an olive complexion than Lucky, but Sam definitely saw a family resemblance.

Lucky came up alongside her and introduced the lady as his mother, Cecilia. The next thing she knew, Nate had inserted himself into their small group and handed her a glass of lemonade.

“I would’ve brought you wine, but I wasn’t sure if you are drinking or not,” he said, like he was her date.

Okay.
“Thank you,” she said, and introduced Nate to Lucky’s mom.

“Lucky said you’re the wedding planner.” Cecilia took Sam’s hand. “This is so beautiful, like something out of a fairy tale.”

“It’s really great, Sam.” Lucky scanned the crowd as if he was looking for someone in particular. Perhaps the perky blonde from the Ponderosa the other day.

“Thanks so much. But most of it is Emily’s doing,” she said, looking over at the minister, who gave the signal. “I have to get everyone seated now.”

She moved through the crowd, telling people that it was time to take their places. By the time the quartet started playing the introduction to the “Wedding March,” she couldn’t find an empty chair. That’s when she saw Nate flagging her over.

“I saved one for you,” he said.

“Thanks. I thought I’d have to stand over at the bar. How do the garlands look?”

He looked at the floral boughs hanging from the chairs. “Nice . . . I guess. Why?”

“We had an unfortunate incident this morning with a stray cow.”

Nate chuckled. “Seriously?”

“Not funny. The boys and I fixed them up the best that we could.”

As Clay, Justin, and Cody moved to stand between the two oak trees next to the minister, a hush descended over the crowd. Then the guests rose as Emily walked down the aisle. Sam could’ve sworn she heard a collective sigh.

“Nice boots,” Nate whispered in Sam’s ear.

The ceremony was one of the most moving Sam had ever seen. Clay and Emily had written their own vows and Sam had to wipe away a few tears. Rhys and Maddy were called up to witness the signing of the marriage license, which Sam had never seen before and thought was a beautiful touch.

After the recessional, the group made their way to the reception tent while the photographer took a few portraits of the newlyweds and the boys. Emily’s mother too. Sam tried to beat the crowd to the tent to make sure everything looked perfect.

“Where’s the fire?” Nate called to her as he caught up.

“I have work to do.” What did he think, she could stand around all day, keeping him company?

She smoothed a couple of the tablecloths and rejiggered the placement of a few centerpieces. Brady stood behind the scenes directing the wait staff serving hors d’oeuvres to the guests who had started trickling in.

“Thank you.” She squeezed Brady’s arm. “Did you at least get to see some of the ceremony?”

“I caught most of it.” He grabbed one of the servers on his way out to the crowd, pulled a towel from his back pocket, and cleaned a smudge from one of the trays.

Nate stole a shrimp from the platter and popped it into his mouth. “Quality control,” he told Brady and Sam. “Damn, these are good.”

“You know Emily. She’s got great food connections,” Sam said. He pointed to a table toward the back of the tent and told Brady, “You’re sitting with us.” He nodded and hurried off to check on the duck skewers.

“So I’m at your table?” Nate asked.

“That’s where Emily put you,” she lied. “If you don’t like it, you could probably cram in next to Maddy and Rhys. Or Sophie and Mariah.” Sam knew that both couples shared a sitter for Emma and Lilly.

“I’m more than happy with the arrangement.” He grinned at her.

“You’re a strange man.” Just the other day he’d wanted to bring a date, now he acted as if she was his date.

She walked around the tent, Nate on her heels, making sure there wasn’t anything she’d forgotten. Lots of guests approached her to tell her how beautiful the wedding was.

Grace from the Nugget Farm Supply gushed, “This is magnificent, Sam. The linens, the little lollipop trees on the tables, the whole setting is just . . . wow. You have quite a touch, dear.”

“You’re so sweet to say so, Grace.”

Owen bumped into her with a couple of cocktails in his hands. “This is one hell of a hoedown. Heard you’ve been working day and night on it. Well, you done good, missy.”

Nate snagged a small plate, filled it with appetizers, and handed it to her. “Eat.”

Until that moment she hadn’t realized how hungry she was. They wandered over to their table and Sam sat to quickly stuff her face before she had to attend to anything that came up. The band started playing as the newlyweds entered the tent to thunderous applause.

“They look so happy,” she told Nate, who’d also gotten her a glass of wine.

“Yep. That a new dress you’ve got on?”

It was a flirty little Alexander McQueen. “I got it in San Francisco when I was there for the bridal expo.”

“I like it.”

“Thanks.” Sam could feel her cheeks heat, not so much from the compliment but from the way Nate looked at her, like he thought she was beautiful. “I should probably make sure everything is running on time for dinner.”

“You want me to come with you?”

“Mingle and enjoy yourself. I’ll be back in a few.”

It turned out that Brady had everything under control. “I hope you don’t mind, but I changed the service. The servers are going to French everything.”

Sam laughed because it sounded slightly pornographic, but she knew full well that he meant the waitstaff would serve the meal from platters instead of family style. It was a little formal for the event, but the guests would probably appreciate the convenience.

“I thought it could be messy for the guests to serve themselves. And the waitstaff seems pretty experienced.”

“Very classy,” Sam said. Brady was a godsend. “We can send them around repeatedly for seconds and thirds, right?”

“That’s exactly what I’m thinking. I know Emily wanted it to be a feast.”

“Excellent,” Sam said. “Then I’ll just go back to my table. You’ll come out soon so you can eat, won’t you?”

“Yeah,” he said, but she got the impression that he liked hanging out behind the scenes, where the action was. And clearly the man knew what he was doing.

When she turned around she bumped into Nate. “I thought you were mingling.”

“Just wanted to see what was going on back here. For someone who never worked in the hospitality industry, you know a lot about service.”

“Nate, I’ve been hosting functions my whole adult life, not to mention attending a fair number. It’s second nature.”

“For the record,” he said, perching his shades at the tip of his nose, “I think Frenching is good.”

“What’s with you today?” She shook her head and headed back to their table. “You’re back to flirting with me again. Is it because Tracy’s gone?”

He tugged her arm to bring her to a stop. “Get this straight, Sam. I never flirted with Tracy.”

“So are you not flirting with me either?” She pulled away and found her chair. The rest of the guests at their table were either off chatting, dancing, or getting drinks at the bar.

Nate sat next to her. “I’ve been up front about being attracted to you. And I suppose I’m less professional with you because we live next door to each other and hang in the same social circle.” He waved his hands at the crowd. “After all, this is Nugget with a population of fifteen people our age. Would you like me to stop?”