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BY THREE O’CLOCK that afternoon, Parker was finally satisfied Everything looked…well, stunning; she really had to give herself credit here
The gazebo ined with garlands of ivy and hydrangea blossoms, most of which she’d, er, appropriated froe of the Pines property Collier wasn’t around, but Parker figured that he wouldn’t azebo were two huge arranges and reen Parker had filled eight tin buckets with se the makeshift aisle
Inside the tent, she’d strung up fairy lights; Vin had had so-out-of-business craft store of its cache All the supports and poles were lit up like the old Tavern on the Green in Central Park and twined with ea, wild roses, baby’s breath and lupine For the centerpieces, Rolly had helped her drill holes into split white birch logs, into which Parker had put tall white candles, then set that into a bed of pine, roses and fern
It was ical and lush and uniquely Maine, and she couldn’t wait to see the look on Maggie’s face
Lavinia was delivering the bouquets and boutonnieres to the bride and groo look around the tent Ti Lucy had convinced her to bring a really nice dress in case of a fling
And speaking of flings and weddings, it was hard not to re day, when Parker had ended up with Jaer back then
This time, she had reason to like him
The thought made her knees wobble a bit
LIKE MOST MEN, Jas Cereive or take Brides looked pretty Food wasto be served The expense always seele woht eye a plump, blind baby bunny, then make their predictable and unsubtle advances In fact, that’s how he and Leah hadShe’d been cute, she eyed hi herself closer and closer, till she could accidentally bu and hair tossing
Parker’s wedding pass had been, by far, the least subtle ever She’d been no sneaky coyote, no More like a strike fro, was completely stunned
Not that he’d complained
This wedding, he acknowledged, was nicer than reat job on the flowers; in fact, Maggie’s ot out of the li about how pretty everything looked Every ti, he felt a little rush of pride for his housemate
And speaking of, she looked…perfect Wearing a long blue dress cut low in the front and low in the back Hair up in a twist She wasn’t wearing shoes, and the sight of her toes peeping out fro him a little aroused Didn’t take much where she was concerned Whether she wore that horrible Yankees cap and stained jeans or a gown, she was beautiful
She was also avoiding hi herself with babies; first Chantal’s fat little package, then a smaller baby, then one that could walk
The bride herself appeared “Jalued behind the bar,” she said, her cheeks flushed with happiness “Eat so! We can pour our oine”
“You sure look pretty, Maggie,” he said
She smiled, and for a second, she looked exactly like the cute waitress he’d had a crush on way back when “Thanks,” she answered “But go I’ Dance with soe crush”
James shot Malone a look “Thanks, pal”
Maggie leaned forward and kissed hilad you came up this summer”
“No kissing other men,” Malone said “Wife”
“Oh, that’s right, we’rethis white dress” She slid her arms around Malone’s waist “Go, Ja on, there’s Parker Parker! Over here!”
“She’s really bossy,” Jaroom
“Ayuh,” he agreed
Because Maggie was queen, Parker cas do the now-familiar howl
“Parker, these flowers are a her
“Thanks, Maggie So glad you like everything” She paused “Hi, James”
“Parker Always lovely to see you,” he said Her cheeks grew pink James smiled Used to be, he could only ress
“Oh, I love this song,” Maggie said “Couy wouldn’t—it was sole ladies
“You have to obey her,” James said “She’s the queen…”
“Thanks for nothing,” Malone ed him onto the dance floor Poor slob Well, he wasn’t that poor He was s
James turned to Parker Her blush deepened “Did you have fun last night?” she asked
“Sure”
“You stayed at your uncle’s?”
“Yep” She sood “You look beautiful,” he said quietly
“Thank you,” she answered, then cleared her throat “You look very…u her eyes “Dressed up, I meant In a suit More like yourself Whatever, don’t listen to , don’t you think?”
She was nervous; he could feel the electrical current radiating from her She licked her lips—God—and the blood ht froreat”