Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,29
to give you an array of food for your taste.”
Her face lit up. “I’m so glad you mentioned it! No boring salmon or chicken or endless salads with beets, no matter how many of my guests pretend to be on a diet. I want to indulge at my wedding. The theme word should be decadent. Cheese, truffle oil, pasta, butter, anything that gives pleasure. Are we doing green eggs and ham?”
Gabe stiffened. “Well, no, but—”
“Thank God!” She laughed. “All of my other planners insisted we put green eggs and ham on the menu. Ridiculous, right? I’m looking to integrate the magic of Dr. Seuss into my wedding, not bash people over the head with overdone ideas. That’s why I’ve loved everything you came up with so far.”
“We’re so glad,” Bella said, obviously relieved. “Now, about favors—”
“Oh yes, let’s give away trees.”
Bella blinked. “Trees?”
“Of course, it goes with the theme. For the cake, I want it to be multilayered and toppled over in true Dr. Seuss form. And we definitely need a dessert bar with Dr. Seuss treats.”
Uneasiness trickled through him. He figured she’d be a challenge, but trees were a tall order for any planner to fill. Literally.
“Can we do a specialty cocktail that smokes? I’ve seen some before, and it reminds me of the mist in a forest. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Gabe nodded. Yep. Wonderful.
Bella took advantage of the brief pause and leaned in. “Adele, is there a reason why you picked this theme for your wedding?” she asked curiously. “Is there something specific about the books or author that you love?”
Adele let out a long, dreamy sigh, as if caught in the past. “My nanny and housekeeper mostly raised me. My father insisted—said it wasn’t proper for my mother to be taking care of children when she could be helping the world, or him. But at night, she’d sneak into my room, and we’d read Dr. Seuss books together. Oh, how we laughed!
“She promised we’d read every single one together, and we’d come up with fun rhymes and try to talk in a secret language only we understood.” She took a sip of her drink, staring down at her cup. “I used to pretend my father was the Grinch and that one day his heart would grow big. It never happened.
“When my mother died, the only thing that made me happy was when I read Dr. Seuss and thought about her. She was with me when I read those books. Especially in Oh, the Places You’ll Go! My mother would quote it all the time, reminding me I’m in charge of my destiny, and I have everything I need to follow my path—my feet and my brains. And then she’d tell me to never be trapped in a life I didn’t want when I grew up. I could be anything, do anything, and act any way I wanted, as long as it was from my heart.”
Empathy crashed through him for that lonely rich girl in her big, opulent house, looking for her mother in books that made her happy. He thought about his father and how many years he’d dedicated to trying to make his dad love him. He might not have grown up in a mansion, but in that tiny house, in his back bedroom with the drafty windows and threadbare quilt, he’d prayed too many times to be worthy of his father’s approval.
Adele had learned from her mother that she was enough just as she was.
Gabe had taught that lesson to himself.
The missing piece they’d needed to plan this wedding suddenly fell into place. He’d been excited to plan a whimsical reception for a vibrant, interesting woman, but knowing the true feelings behind her love for Dr. Seuss would help them bring the event to a whole other level—one filled with emotion and memories that were important to her past.
Bella reached over and squeezed her hand. “Thank you for sharing that, Adele. We’ll find the perfect way to make your mom part of your day.” Bella paused. “I know how hard it is to lose someone you love. I promise, we’ll make this wedding everything you dreamed of.”
“Thank you, child,” she said quietly. “I know you will.”
Gabe cleared his throat, struggling past the emotional moment and getting back to logistics. “We’ve gone over the guest list and see you also want to skip the rehearsal dinner. Are you sure?”
She giggled, joy returning. “Lord, yes. I can’t stand to see most of these people the day of