“Great! You can just follow us there.”
“Perfect.”
I grabbed my notebook and calendar and shoved them into my purse, then followed them out the door. Once we were outside, Rebecca walked over to the SUV. The window came down, and after speaking for a moment, she turned and got in her car with Frankie and Cat. I followed both vehicles out of the parking lot, and roughly twenty minutes later, we arrived at the house.
The black SUV parked at the curb while Rebecca pulled up in the driveway.
I parked behind her, then looked up at the gorgeous two-story home.
I was immediately blown away. It was right on the water with boat dock access and a covered porch that was out of this world. I stood there staring at the place in awe when I heard Rebecca say, “Come on, and I’ll show you inside.”
I turned and found her by the front door with her daughter and Frankie. I walked towards them and said, “This place is fabulous.”
“Thank you.” She held the door open and waited as I stepped inside. “I’m hoping it will be okay for the party.”
I took a second to glance around the room, utterly amazed at the floor-to-ceiling windows and the spectacular view. It was even more beautiful than I could’ve imagined. The family room had cedar beams and a cozy, stonewall fireplace with elegant but inviting furniture.
I was still taking in the surroundings when Rebecca came over to me and asked, “Don’t you think this will be perfect?”
“Oh, definitely. It’ll be ideal.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” She was practically beaming. “Come into the kitchen, and I’ll make us all some coffee.”
“Momma ... Momma?” When Rebecca didn’t answer, Catherine slipped up next to her and gave her a little nudge. “Momma, can I go up to my room?”
“Sure, sweetheart. I’ll call you when it’s time for lunch.”
Catherine nodded, then scurried up the stairs.
Once she was gone, Rebecca got busy making us coffee and plating the muffins. While Frankie and I watched her scoot around the kitchen, she leaned over to me and said, “We’ve both heard some great things about you.”
“Oh?”
Frankie nodded, then added, “You and your company did a wedding for one of Rebecca’s co-workers. I believe her name was Krissy?”
“Yes, I remember Krissy well. She had such a beautiful wedding. The flowers couldn’t have been more stunning, and the food was out of this world.”
“We also heard that you played a big part in how wonderful it was.”
“It wasn’t all me. Krissy had some amazing ideas. I just helped bring them to life.” I looked over to Rebecca and told her, “I hope to do the same for you and your parents’ anniversary celebration.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Rebecca brought over our coffee and muffins and placed them on the table, and then we spent the next hour or so discussing all the different possibilities for the party. I jotted down the things Rebecca wanted for her parents’ special night, including their favorite types of food and music. “Okay, I think I have everything I need. I’ll go back to the office and work up an official proposal, and then we can go over it and make any changes.”
“That sounds great.” Rebecca stood up with me as she said, “I really appreciate you coming out here, and I can’t wait to see your proposal.”
“Me, too.” I glanced over at Frankie. “It was really nice meeting you.”
“It was great meeting you, too. I look forward to seeing you again.”
I smiled and waved goodbye before following Rebecca out of the kitchen. When we got to the front door, Rebecca opened it and said, “Have a safe—”
Before she could finish her sentence, the loud roar of motorcycle engines drew her attention out to the road. We stepped onto the front porch and watched as two bikers whipped into her driveway. I immediately looked over at Rebecca and was shocked that she wasn’t the least bit fazed by their presence.
I tried to act equally unfazed but failed miserably when Lynch got off his motorcycle and removed his helmet. I felt like the rug had been pulled from beneath my feet.
It was one thing to come and bail Haleigh and me out of jail when he had no idea who we were and then to show up unannounced at my place to return a check. However, Lynch coming here—to a complete stranger’s house while I was working—was something else altogether.
I stood frozen as I watched him make his way over to Rebecca’s front porch. He sounded just as surprised to see me when he asked, “Raelyn? What the hell are you doing here?”
“I was about to ask you the same.” I glanced over at Rebecca in embarrassment as I whispered, “Did you follow me or something?”
“No, Rae. I didn’t follow you.”
Before I had a chance to question him further, Rebecca asked, “You two know each other?”