Before Allie could decide, Shari said, “I think we keep it down and do a crimped version of your style.” She scrunched Allie’s chin-length hair a little to give her an idea of where Shari was headed. “What do you think?”
“That’s good,” Allie said. Much better than an updo, which would make her feel like she was attending her high school prom.
“So, where do you fit into all this?” Shari asked as she rubbed a squirt of mousse between her hands and applied it to Allie’s hair. “If you’re not a bridesmaid, then what are you?”
Allie couldn’t help smiling at Shari’s openness. “I’m the sister of the groom. I passed on the bridesmaid role,” she said in a loud whisper over the whir of the hair dryers. “It’s not really my thing, and the bride didn’t need one more anyway. I’m sure she asked me only to be polite. She already had six bridesmaids, two junior bridesmaids and two flower girls.”
“Wow! No wonder everyone’s booked this morning.”
Shari kept up a running conversation while she worked on her hair, complimenting Allie’s great skin and the striking blue of her eyes next to her milky-white complexion.
This girl was definitely jonesing for a large tip. By the end of their time together, Allie was much more relaxed and decided Shari certainly deserved that tip.
Next stop, back to the downtown Newport hotel where they were all staying so she could get dressed and apply makeup. Another group event she’d taken a pass on, deciding to do these tasks on her own.
At least her mother hadn’t made an issue of that, too.
* * *
ONCE CHARLOTTE FINALLY figured out what she was going to wear on this nondate with Jack, her excitement grew. She hadn’t done anything for the fun of it in...well, she couldn’t remember the last time.
Since her mother’s cancer diagnosis a little over a year ago, Charlotte had been with her mom nearly 24/7 until her passing. Her mother had no other living relatives. After being left all alone, Charlotte’s focus had been settling her mother’s estate and buying the historic home she’d fallen in love with on sight. She had an art studio set up in one of the bedrooms, and she rarely left home except for necessities.
She wasn’t even sure she remembered how to have fun.
She finished her makeup and spent some extra time curling her dark hair into soft waves that came just below her chin. According to the clock on her nightstand, she still had twenty minutes before Jack would come by for her. She was about to slip on her dress when she heard her cell phone.
A text message from Jack.
Running late. Visiting Granddad and he passed out. He’s fine now. Will be there ASAP.
She texted back.
Glad he’s OK. Do you want me to meet you at the wedding?
Jack’s grandfather was in a Providence hospital, which meant Jack was about forty-five minutes away. St. Mary’s church was only a short drive from her house if tourist traffic wasn’t too heavy.
No. I have to change for the wedding. Didn’t expect to stay this long.
When she was ready to go, Charlotte made herself comfortable on her porch. She didn’t want Jack to have to wait even a second longer on her account.
The wedding was scheduled to begin at two, which was almost the time Jack’s black sports car came down the street. He spotted her immediately and waved as he ran from where he’d parallel parked his car on the street to his front porch steps that he took by twos. “I’ll be right out.”
Charlotte checked her small silver clutch to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything and then locked her front door. She walked carefully down her porch steps to the sidewalk with its cracks and bumps, and then crossed the street. She wasn’t used to wearing the four-inch heels that went with the sapphire-blue dress she’d chosen, but she’d manage. Her dress was gathered on one side under the bust with a glittery silver buckle, and her strappy silver shoes completed the outfit.
“All set?” Jack appeared on his porch, straightening his gold tie and securing a gold tie bar. His dark suit jacket was folded over one arm. He locked his front door and stopped abruptly at the top of his steps. “Wow! You clean up real nice.”
Charlotte’s cheeks heated. She wasn’t used to being complimented on anything but her artwork, even in such a flippant manner. “Thank you.” She couldn’t help noticing he didn’t look half-bad either. “So do you.”
“What, this old thing?” He grinned as he opened the passenger-side door for her and then came around the car to lay his jacket in the backseat before getting into the driver’s seat. “I’m really sorry we’re so late.” He checked the silver watch on his wrist. “By the time we fight the Saturday tourist traffic and park, we’ll probably have missed the ceremony completely. Why don’t we head directly to the reception?”
“Hey, she’s your cousin. No one will miss me,” she teased. “How’s your grandfather? You said he passed out?”
Jack nodded as he pulled out of his parking spot and drove up their street. “I waited until the doctor examined him. The doctor said it was probably low blood sugar because everything else checked out. Turned out Granddad didn’t eat much for lunch today. I guess he’s not thrilled with the food they serve.”
“That’s too bad. Can you bring food in for him?”
“He’s on a low-sodium diet, which makes that difficult.”
“No wonder he doesn’t like the food, if they’re leaving out the salt.”
A few more minutes of small talk and they were at Bellevue House, being directed where to park.
“It’s a beautiful day for a wedding,” Charlotte commented as she exited the car. “They could have had an outdoor wedding. Not that planning an outdoor wedding in this area would be a smart idea.”
“That could be a disaster with the wind gusts off the ocean alone, but I’m sure a lot of brides risk it when you can have the Atlantic Ocean or Narragansett Bay as a backdrop.” Jack put on his suit jacket and then held out his bent arm for her. “Shall we?”
She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, and they headed toward the mansion with its manicured gardens and huge round fountain. “Tell me how you’re related to these people. You said the bride is your cousin?” At his nod, she asked, “And the grandfather you just visited?”
“He’s my mom’s father. The bride is my dad’s niece.”
“Will your mother be here?” She hadn’t thought about how much family he would have at the wedding. His grandfather had raised him, but Jack had never mentioned what had happened to his parents.
“No.” He paused. “She passed away a long time ago.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I should have...”
He stopped walking and looked at her. “It’s okay. I haven’t mentioned it because of your situation. She died when I was about ten.”
He put a hand on the small of her back, and they continued walking.
Charlotte blinked away the tears that threatened. It didn’t take much for her to remember her own mother.
“I always forget how impressive the mansions are,” he said in an obvious attempt to change the subject.
She nodded. “Such a romantic place to have a wedding.”
“If you’re into those things.”
She glanced sideways at him. “I take it you’re not?”
“Definitely