Happily This Christmas (Happily Inc #6) - Susan Mallery Page 0,75
said. “But expensive.”
“No thoughts of money just yet. Don’t forget, our previous bride has paid for a lot of this.”
“Okay. I’ll just listen.”
Renee went through the rest of the menu, including filet mignon and a potato gratin.
“I was thinking simple for the dessert,” Renee said, putting another slide on the screen. “Chocolate dipped strawberry towers. They look incredible, they’re light and delicious. Plus it’s fruit. The serving plates are tiered, so the stacked strawberries take the shape of a Christmas tree.”
“They’re beautiful,” Holly murmured.
“Great.” Renee made more notes. “The cake is problematic. We are stuck with what the previous bride ordered. It’s a four layer cake. There’s no time to get anything fancy, so what I suggest is a simple white frosting and then we cascade red roses down the side. It’s elegant, it’s easy and it meets our time constraint.”
Holly nodded without saying anything.
Joylyn could see her confusion and worry. Even with the deposit money waived, there was no way Holly and Rex could afford even a portion of this.
“On to the drinks,” Renee said. “We’re thinking traditional. A champagne toast after the ceremony, then an assortment of champagne cocktails to start, with red wine at dinner. Is that all right?”
“It all sounds wonderful.”
“Good,” Renee said quickly. “Now, last but not least, the wedding favor.” She put up another slide. This showed a round red ornament personalized with Holly’s and Rex’s names, along with the date.
“I have someone who can do the fancy writing,” Wynn said. “We’ll use a gold marker and tie a gold bow on the top. We can put them in big bowls by the door and people can take one as they leave.”
Holly pressed her lips together. “We can’t afford this. I’m sorry you put all this work into the presentation, but our budget is—”
“There’s no cost,” Renee told her. “Everything’s already paid for.”
Holly’s expression of surprise was nearly comical, although Joylyn had a feeling she didn’t look any different.
“What? No. That’s not possible.” Holly’s eyes were wide. “Rex and I can’t let some poor bride who had to cancel her wedding pay for ours.”
“She’s not.” Renee smiled. “I told a few people about you and Rex, and they offered to chip in. Word spread and even more people wanted to help out. The bride who had to cancel is getting all her money back, and you’re getting the wedding I described. You might want to head to David’s Bridal and buy your dress.”
Tears filled Joylyn’s eyes. Holly had a bit more control, but she still looked shaken.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered. “Joylyn, did you know about this?”
“Do I look like I knew about it?” She turned to Wynn. “What happened?”
“What Renee said. People wanted to be a part of this.”
Renee nodded. “I’m serious, Holly. It’s all being taken care of. You and Rex just have to show up. Oh, and his five co–best men, too.”
The rest of the meeting was a blur. When they were done, Joylyn drove to the Happily Inc police station and asked to see her dad. She was shown back to his office. When he saw her, he immediately came to his feet.
“Are you all right? What’s going on? Do you need to go to the hospital? Is it Chandler?”
The tears returned and she couldn’t speak, so she held open her arms. Her father came around his desk and hugged her.
“Talk to me, Joylyn. I’m freaking out here.”
“We’re all f-fine,” she managed to say, then gave into the sobs.
He held her against him, angled so there was room for her belly. She cried until she was empty, then took the tissues he offered her.
“I’m fine,” she repeated. “It’s just I was at a meeting for Holly’s wedding and everything is paid for.”
“Oh, that.” He looked relieved. “Why is that a problem?”
“It’s not. It’s wonderful. Her wedding is going to be perfect. But I don’t understand. Why would people who’ve never met her give money to her?”
“Why not? She and Rex don’t have much financially, so we’re helping them out. Come on. They’re Marines and it’s Christmas. What else would we do?”
She stared at him. “You gave money?”
He shrugged. “Some. I helped.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I knew you’d find out at the meeting. I thought that was more fun.”
Which was just like him, she thought. He’d always done nice things for her and her friends. He was generous and kind and she couldn’t believe how stupid she’d been as a teenager.
“I’m sorry I wouldn’t see you all those times,” she said,