was seventy if she was a day.
“Alberta is a gypsy queen, fortune-teller and matchmaker,” Skye offered in a whisper.
No teasing smile or twinkle in Skye’s eyes indicated she was anything but serious. Delphi nodded. Alberta looked like a gypsy queen.
A woman with steel-gray hair and a severe gray dress replaced Jefferson at the Steinway. After retrieving a saxophone, he positioned himself to the left of the piano.
The ensemble waited while a thin man with owlish glasses followed by Liam and Lars Reinhardt walked to the front and took up the customary wedding places. Skye had told her earlier that Mack Darcy officiated at most of the funerals and weddings.
Mack, Liam and Lars faced the congregation. Delphi’s heart began to race and her breath seemed trapped somewhere in her chest. Lars quite literally stole her breath. She’d thought he was handsome before but in his dress blues...
Mr. Darcy motioned for everyone to stand. The musicians began playing and thanks once again to her gran, Delphi recognized the opening notes of “It Had to Be You” even before the gypsy queen clad in pink satin began to sing.
Delphi fought against her mouth gaping open. Nothing had ever been more unexpected than the slightly husky, smooth notes coming from Alberta’s orange-hued mouth.
An extremely well-endowed blonde wearing a light blue silk shantung tea-length sheath preceded the bride and her father. Tansy seemed to float along in a wedding gown that was tiers of tulle and organza and a veil that trailed down her back. She carried a simple bouquet of blue flowers tied with a flowing white ribbon. Delphi was pretty sure the flowers were forget-me-nots. She recognized it as the state flower from reading online about Alaska. They were delicate and it was a great sentiment for a wedding.
Even though she was still on her father’s arm, Tansy and Liam only had eyes for one another as the song continued.
Despite herself, Delphi’s gaze was drawn to Lars. He was looking at her. It was as if everyone in the church faded to nothing and it was just the two of them watching one another across the room.
A torrent of attraction engulfed Delphi. The moments spun out like a magical spell—the saxophone, the words, the man.
The song ended and she shook her head slightly to clear it. She brought her attention back to where it should be instead of making goo-goo eyes at a man she was starting to want so much, but wasn’t sure she actually liked. It all made her feel rather crazy.
Of course, it was no more surreal than being caught up in one of the biggest occasions in the lives of people she didn’t know. Why not find herself enthralled with a man she didn’t want to be enthralled with?
Tansy’s father handed her over. The busty matron of honor wept openly, but it was obviously tears of joy. The exchange of vows was brief and simple, yet sincere. At one point, Delphi blinked back a tear or two. The devotion on the bride’s and groom’s faces moved her. It was a glimpse of something precious and pure, but real.
Delphi had never been one to sit around dreaming about her wedding day. She knew plenty of women who had the dress and ring picked out long before an actual groom showed up on the scene. She’d never quite understood it. She’d been so focused on her career and establishing her own path that marriage had been put on the back burner...and it still was there.
However, this wedding struck her as what a wedding should be—a public vow of devotion, a sharing of their mutual love with friends and family...and a stranger.
Mr. Darcy declared them married and the room erupted into clapping and even a whistle or two. Liam kissed Tansy and once again, Delphi couldn’t keep her glance from straying to Lars. Delphi felt as if she was falling down the proverbial rabbit hole.
A few more people made their way to the front, picked up instruments and gathered in front of the couple. The musicians broke into a rousing rendition of “When the Saints Come Marching In” as they made their way down the aisle, followed by the couple. Everyone stood and began dancing. After a moment’s hesitation, Delphi joined in. It was the strangest music choice, particularly for a wedding, but it was fun.
She realized as she danced along with the crowd into the dazzling sunshine that she’d forgotten all about being miserable.
* * *
THE RECEPTION WAS just cranking up