“In what way?” Benita made a note of their preference.
“We don’t know.” Alonzo exchanged a look with Doreen.
Benita considered the sheriff. He’d remained a bachelor, unwilling to wed as long as Doreen was in his heart.
Will that be me in another twenty or thirty years?
Not if I can convince Vaughn to move with me to L.A.
Benita returned her attention to the wedding task list. “I have a couple of ideas.”
“What?” Doreen and Alonzo asked in unison.
Benita smiled. “Let me check with the locations first. I don’t want to get your hopes up if the ideas don’t pan out.”
She asked a battery of questions to get a better sense of the type of wedding Doreen and Alonzo envisioned. Thankfully, they both wanted a small, traditional ceremony. Neither had guests coming from out of town, which meant Benita didn’t have to reserve lodging at the local inn or at Harmony Cabins. She also was able to talk them out of serving just cake and punch.
“This is Trinity Falls, people,” Benita reminded them. “If you don’t want your guests to speak ill of you even months after your second wedding anniversary, you should at least offer a buffet.”
Alonzo gave a crooked smile. “Good point.”
Doreen took Alonzo’s hand. “You’re right. No skimping on the food.”
Benita stared at Doreen’s fingers entwined with Alonzo’s. In her mind, she saw her hand in Vaughn’s. She even felt his rough, warm palm against her skin. The memory stole her breath. She missed him like crazy. She’d die if she had to wait as long as Alonzo had before claiming her happily-ever-after. She had to convince the stubborn composer to relocate to L.A. with her. I just have to.
Benita rose from Doreen’s cushy armchair. “I’ll get started on the list. Thanks for meeting with me.”
“Thank you!” Doreen laughed. “You’re doing us a big favor.”
Alonzo helped Doreen to her feet. “I know we haven’t given you a lot of time. If you’re able to pull this off by June twentieth, you’re a miracle worker.”
“I have no doubt I’ll be able to pull it off. But you’re both going to hate me before it’s over.” Benita tucked the clipboard under her arm and tugged her purse strap onto her shoulder. “Besides, I’m on vacation.”
“Some vacation, planning someone else’s wedding.” Alonzo stepped back so Doreen could lead them to the front door.
“We should pay you.” Doreen gave Benita a stricken look. “I should have thought of that sooner.”
“Don’t you dare.” Benita held up one hand. “This is my wedding gift to you.”
“It’s too much.” Doreen turned to Alonzo.
“Doreen’s right,” he agreed.
“Then you can repay the favor when my wedding day comes.” Benita continued on to Doreen’s front door.
“Is there something you want to share with us?” Doreen gave her a bright, inquisitive smile.
“I hope to have something soon.” First she had to convince one very sexy music professor that his heart was with her in California.
Benita strode across the Oval on Trinity Falls University’s campus Thursday afternoon. It was April and everything shouted spring: the blossoms opening on the stately sequoia trees, the scent of freshly cut grass wafting over the lawns, the puffy, pure white clouds drifting across the bright blue sky. It was as idyllic as any Walt Disney animated movie scene. Then what was behind the feeling of tension blanketing the campus?
She followed the path to Vaughn’s office. In the distance several students stopped beside Wishing Lake, the campus’s contained pond, and tossed something into its waters. Benita smiled. Finals were five weeks away. That must be the source of the tension she sensed. How many of the students pitching pennies into the pond wished they’d done a better job of keeping up with their course work? Poor things. Hopefully, they will have learned their lesson by next semester.
Benita mounted the main staircase in Freeman Hall, the academic building named after one of the university’s beloved art professors and benefactors. Vaughn’s office was on the second floor.
“Benita?”
She looked up, pressing herself against the wall to avoid several students rushing down the steps. “Hi, Peyton.”