there.” Will and Caroline regularly had people over for cookouts. He had a small house near the beach with a huge deck that was perfect for entertaining.
“I’d love to come. I’ll bring some guac and chips or whatever you need?” Mia usually brought her homemade guacamole whenever she and Mark had gone to these kinds of get-togethers. That reminded her she needed to stop and get some avocados, cilantro and lemons to make a batch to bring over to Kate’s later.
“Your guac would be perfect. It will be fun.”
Chapter 6
When Mia arrived at Kate’s house a few minutes past seven, she was one of the first ones there. Kate hollered for her to come in when she knocked and Angela was in the kitchen with her, opening a bottle of Bread and Butter chardonnay. Kate was putting a tray of bruschetta in the oven and smiled when she saw Mia.
“Oh, good, you brought your guacamole! Do you want to set it on the kitchen table by the cheese and crackers? Help yourself to wine or a cocktail.”
Angela looked up as she finished opening the wine. “Do you like Chardonnay? I could pour you a glass.”
“Sure, I’d love some. That’s actually one of my favorites.” Mia usually drank chardonnay if she was having white wine. Angela poured one for her and then another for Kate.
“Angela brought some amazing cheeses,” Kate said. “What did you say this one is, with the gray line going through it?”
“Humboldt Fog. It’s an aged goat cheese. The softer bit near the edge reminds me of Brie.”
Mia’s stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten a thing since lunch.
“I’ve had that one. Izzy brought some home a few days ago. It was amazing.”
“How is that going? You’re living with your sister now?” Angela asked.
“I was. I’m actually staying at Kate’s mother’s inn now, though. Insurance covers it and Izzy’s house is small, since her boyfriend lives there, too.”
“Oh, I bet it’s nice to have your own space. Hopefully the renovations won’t take too long.”
They both turned as the front door opened and Kate’s sisters, Kristen and Abby, came in, followed a minute later by their soon-to-be sister-in-law, Beth, who was marrying their younger brother, Chase. Kristen had a platter of brownies. Abby made her famous stuffed mushrooms and Beth brought hummus, pita wedges and an assortment of fresh cut veggies. Kate directed everyone to put the food on the table and while they all helped themselves to wine, she pulled the tray of bubbling bruschetta out of the oven and put them on a large platter.
“Oh, you made your bruschetta! Good, I’m starving,” Abby said. “I had one mushroom—for quality control of course, and I had to let Jeff have one.”
“Of course,” Kate laughed. “How’s Natalie? I wasn’t sure if you were going to bring her?” Abby’s daughter, Natalie, was almost two and adorable, but into everything.
Abby took a big sip of wine. “No. I told Jeff Mommy needed a break and the two of them could bond.”
“Perfect. Okay, everyone help yourselves and grab a seat.” Kate brought the platter of bruschetta over, and they all loaded their plates and settled around the big round table. Mia took a little of everything and sighed when she took a bite of the bruschetta. The topping was sweet, creamy and savory over crunchy, garlicky toasted bread.
“Kate, how do you make these? They are so good.”
Kate looked pleased by the compliment. “They’re easy. It’s just Boursin cheese, the packaged stuff you buy at the store. I spread it on toasted, garlic-rubbed baguette slices and top with diced tomatoes that I let sit in some olive oil and balsamic vinegar for about a half hour. I heat them in the oven for maybe ten minutes.”
They chatted easily while they ate, and with three of the women engaged, it wasn’t long before the conversation turned to wedding planning. Mia didn’t bring it up. She didn’t think it was appropriate, and she had a sense that Kate was feeling stressed about everything as she hadn’t gotten back to her about several things that needed deciding on.
But Mia didn’t want to push. They still had time, and she knew that every bride was different and needed to go at their own pace. Some embraced the process more than others. She knew if it was up to Kate that she’d have a much smaller wedding, if a wedding at all. Eloping actually seemed more her style.
“Kate, have you found a dress yet?” Beth asked.
Kate smiled tightly at first,