see it’s not going to last. I don’t want to be like them.”
Renee knew better than to offer a pat “you’re not.” That wouldn’t help at all. “Do you know why any of the marriages failed?”
“Let’s see. My sister married someone she barely knew, so they didn’t have much of a chance. This guy is throwing up red flags, which she ignores. He’s been unfaithful a bunch of times, he lies and he’s kind of a jerk, but because he’s really good-looking and has a great job, she’s all about excuses. My mom keeps choosing the same type of guy over and over. It didn’t work the first four times, but she can’t seem to learn to avoid that type. My dad is more of a mixed bag. He married his second wife because she got pregnant. I’m not sure about the other two.”
She paused. “Sorry. That was probably more information than you wanted.”
“I can handle it,” Renee said lightly. “But you’ve made my point. Hanna, you know exactly why nearly all those marriages didn’t work out. You can see the flaws and you’re not making the same mistakes. You know Graham and he knows you. You’re clear on what each of you wants from your relationship. Isn’t he a good guy?”
“He’s the best.”
“If you’re just worried about repeating your family’s pattern, that’s one thing, but if you’re genuinely concerned about your relationship with Graham, then you should see a therapist and get some counseling.”
“That’s good advice. Thank you. You’re always so calming to be around.” Hanna drew in a breath. “Okay, I’m ready to make some decisions. No champagne at the ceremony. Everyone can wait until we’re married.”
“Good choice.”
“I’m pretty sure I like my hair up and I will work really hard to keep my family from making me doubt what a fantastic man I have in my life.”
“Sounds like you have a plan.”
“I do and it’s wonderful.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE PLANNING MEETING for the “wedding of many dogs,” as Jasper thought of it, took place in the same conference room as every other planning meeting he’d attended. What was different was the lack of bride and groom or any of their family members. Instead Renee was there, looking sexy and business-appropriate in a simple black dress, with Pallas, Wynn and Natalie also in attendance. Verity rushed in five minutes late, looking flushed and rattled.
“Sorry,” she said, taking a seat across from her daughter. “I had a last-minute call from Odele, finalizing everything.” She turned to Pallas. “Odele said she sent you the specs and a budget. Did you get them?”
“I have them right here.” Pallas tapped a folder in front of her. “I have to say, for the record, I love TV weddings.”
“Me, too.” Renee grinned. “Their budget is very generous.”
Which would mean lots of profits for the business, Jasper thought. Something Renee would appreciate now that she was going to be an owner.
“Good news for all of us,” Wynn said. “Order lots of signage. I could use the business.”
“We will.” Pallas waved at Renee. “Take it away.”
Renee flipped open a folder. “All right. First, the giant wedding is turning into a medium-sized wedding. Instead of sixteen pairs of dogs, we’re having eight pairs. A more manageable number. Odele’s team has arranged for the care and feeding of the dogs. Each dog will have a handler, so we’re only responsible for the ceremony and reception and the humans who will be there.”
“Who are the humans attending?” he asked.
“The dog handlers, Odele and her team, the filming crew and I guess us.” Renee flipped through her notes. “Oh, we have ten extras to be seated during the ceremony.” She scribbled on a pad of paper. “I’m getting about fifty people. Does everyone agree?”
“That’s my number, too, but let’s plan on sixty to be safe,” Pallas told her.
Renee entered the information on her tablet. “All right. So the dogs will come, have a little playtime to burn off energy, then get married. It’s a group ceremony, so that should be quick. Again, assuming here, they’ll need to do it a couple of times to get good footage. So say an hour?”
Pallas handed over a minute-by-minute accounting of the day. “That’s what they say. An hour. Then a reception for another hour.” She looked at Verity. “You’re doing a one-on-one with each of the dogs. That’s going to take a while.”
Renee’s mother shrugged. “It should be all right. They know there’s no second take on that part of it. Odele’s going to set