Happily This Christmas (Happily Inc #6) - Susan Mallery Page 0,64

from the screen to Renee. “I don’t understand. You’re saying Holly and Rex could get married here?”

“If they wanted to. Unless it’s too far.”

“They’re in San Diego. They could make the drive. What would be involved and what would it cost?” She hesitated. “Neither of them have any family or money. Just what they make from their jobs.”

“So here’s the thing,” Renee told her. “The wedding that was scheduled for that day didn’t cancel very long ago. That means some items are already purchased and paid for. If Holly doesn’t mind not having a lot of choices, we can use what’s been arranged. I can pull together some numbers, if you’d like.”

“Yes, please.”

“What’s the theme?” Wynn asked.

“Theme?”

Renee smiled. “We do theme weddings here. Luckily for your friend, this one isn’t space aliens or apples. It was going to be a Christmas wedding. Very traditional. I have all the decorations and linens already. Tables and chairs are no problem. I’ll ask the caterer what’s been ordered and get her costs to move forward. Oh, I’ll need the number of guests.”

“It won’t be very many. Like I said, they don’t have family. But I’ll ask her.”

“Great, and I’ll get you my information by this time tomorrow.”

Joylyn felt the familiar burn of tears. “You’re being so nice. Thank you. This could be amazing for her and Rex.”

“I hope so. We don’t get many military weddings. This would be really fun for all of us to give them the wedding of their dreams.” She smiled. “In three weeks or less.”

“I’ll text her as soon as I get home.” She turned to Wynn. “Thank you so much for helping me.”

“I’m happy to be a part of it.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

AFTER WORK GARRICK drove up the mountain to Jasper’s house. About once a month the guys liked to get together to watch a game. They’d stolen the idea from the women in town who had biweekly girlfriend lunches. They rotated locations, and the host provided food. While the women had fancy things like dips and salads, the guys preferred an easier menu, often with a barbecue or smoker involved.

Garrick parked next to Drew’s SUV and walked inside. Koda was on guard duty, watching as each person entered, carefully sniffing fingers to make sure he really knew who they were. Garrick crouched and petted the old dog before heading into the family room to join his friends.

He was still thinking about what Wynn had told him that morning. Knowing how she’d come to be pregnant with Hunter didn’t make him think less of her. He could understand why she’d done what she’d done. He supposed if he had to explain why it was on his mind it would be because he was so impressed with the person she’d become.

She’d taken herself from a struggling single mother to a successful businesswoman. She was strong, compassionate, caring. He knew she gave generously to local charities and had a feeling those gifts were her attempts to pay forward some part of what Chas had done by leaving her his insurance money.

“Garrick, you made it,” Mathias Mitchell called, waving a beer. “Drinks are in the kitchen and Jasper’s out back working the smoker.”

Garrick greeted everyone else, then made his way to the kitchen. He grabbed a beer from the refrigerator, pausing to talk with Nick Mitchell, Mathias’s older brother, before heading outside where Jasper stood in front of the smoker, talking to Cade Saunders.

As Garrick joined his friends, he inhaled the scent of meat, barbecue seasonings and wood chips.

“What are you smoking?” he asked. “It smells great.”

“I’m starving,” Cade admitted. “Being out here isn’t helping.”

“Only a few more minutes,” Jasper told them. “I have ribs. Pounds of ribs. The sides are waiting inside.”

Cade laughed. “Trying to show us all up?”

“Renee got me the smoker for my birthday. It’s fun to get to use it like this.” Jasper picked up his beer. “Planning to stay through the whole game?” he asked Cade.

“Get off me.” Cade’s tone was good-natured. “She’s only eight months old. It’s hard to be gone.”

“Bethany is more than capable of taking care of your daughter for a single evening.”

“She’s more capable than me, but I like to be around.”

Cade and his wife had had their first child earlier that year. Their circle of friends was in something of a baby boom right now.

“I’d be careful if I were you,” Garrick told Jasper. “Your time is coming, and Cade is going to be the one teasing you about how you can’t leave