For All Time (Nantucket Brides 2)

“So you did all of this? You were in charge of it?”

“More or less. The bride made a lot of the decisions, and Lexie helped with the work, but she has a lot of other responsibilities and …” Toby shrugged.

“Let me guess. She’s not as detail-oriented as you are, so she left everything up to you.”

“Oh, yes!” Toby said. “I love Lexie, but when it got to be too many things to do, she ran away.”

“What’s that American expression about been and done?”

“Been there, done that?” Toby asked. “Is that the one?”

“Yes. When we were kids, whenever there was work to do, my brother would hide under a table that had a big cloth over it. I think my father knew where he was, but back then Rory’s antics amused him. What about you?”

“Your brother’s antics did not amuse me.”

“No, I meant—” Graydon broke off and for the first time he laughed, showing his perfectly even, white teeth.

Toby relaxed her shoulders, and as she looked back at the tent, she wished she didn’t have to deal with everyone.

“I guess you have to go inside,” he said.

“Yes, I do. I’m not sure how it happened but I became a wedding planner.”

“My guess is that it was because they knew you’d do the perfect job that you did.”

“Are you saying that I was used?” Her tone was teasing.

“Completely.” His eyes were laughing, sparkling in the lights from the tent. “Who knows you so well?”

“That would be Jared. Your cousin.”

“Separated by generations,” he said, “but, alas, my blood relative. I think I should make it up to you.”

Toby lost her smile and took a step back. Moonlight always seemed to do something to men. In the next second he’d probably be reaching for her. “I’d better—”

“How about if I go inside and get you something to eat?”

“What?”

“I don’t know much about event planning, but from what I’ve seen, if you were to go in there, you’d be surrounded by people asking you questions such as—”

“Where’s the ketchup? I’ve already been asked that twice.”

“My thoughts exactly,” he said. “If you stand over there, out of sight, I can go inside, get food and beverages, and bring them out here. You’ll get to eat before you have to return.”

“I shouldn’t,” Toby said but there wasn’t any conviction in her voice. She’d hoped to sneak away once everyone started dancing, but by then the food might be gone. “You think I might have a few scallops?”

“I’ll get half a dozen hot off the grill. What else do you want?”

Toby suddenly realized how hungry she was, and as she looked at him, he smiled. “I shall get a mix of everything. Do you like champagne?”

“Love it.”

“Chocolate?”

“Especially if it’s around strawberries,” she said.

“I’ll do my best. Wish me luck.”