Toss the Bouquet by Ruth Logan Herne Page B

tried to slip away.
    His hand on her waist said he wasn’t letting go.
    She kept her smile in place and tried to wriggle free once more.
    Nope.
    Finally Greg held up a hand for Kathy’s attention. She raised an eyebrow. “Kathy, can we pause the music for just a moment?”
    â€œOf course.” She moved to the front desk and hit a switch.
    An expectant quiet descended over the crowded bridal room.
    Greg grabbed Tara’s hand and moved to one of the short, wide bridal stools in front of a triple mirror, designed to show the bride all aspects of her gown. “Ladies and gentlemen, forgive the interruption. I’ve just returned from New York. I arrived late, and I’m hoping to meet with every one of you this evening. But it seems I have some pressing business at hand, so if you’d indulge me a moment.” He went down on one knee and gazed up at Tara.
    Heat flooded her cheeks.
    Emotions roiled within her. And seeing Greg like this, ready to declare his love in front of all these people whenhe should have been courting their business and not her heart . . .
    It made Tara realize she would love him no matter where he lived.
    â€œTara, this isn’t exactly how I envisioned this, but given the last two months, it’s most likely what we should get used to.”
    The truth of that made her smile.
    â€œWill you marry me, Tara Simonetti? Will you run my mother’s store with Kathy and the gang and live with me and grow old with me? And if God sends us a few cute kids, I’d be the happiest man on earth.”
    Marry him.
    Run Elena’s.
    Babies.
    The heat in her cheeks grew, but the warmth in her heart overflowed. “Yes, yes, and yes! But what about New York?” she whispered as he stood and withdrew a stunning marquise diamond from a velvet box.
    â€œWe’ll visit there,” he promised, smiling. “But this is home. And if I have my way, it always will be.” He slipped the diamond onto her finger, gave her one last lingering kiss, then smiled. “And with all of these nice people counting on our new corporate enterprise”—he turned and gave the gathered professionals watching a wave of acknowledgment—“can I talk you into a quick wedding? Because while wedding planning is our business, I’m hoping we won’t have a whole lot of time to plan our own.”
    Tara laughed, hugged him, and nodded. “We’ll talk later.” She smiled up at him, then down at her ring. “Right now we’ve got work to do.”

Tara would have married Greg on the steps of City Hall if necessary, but her mother and Kathy joined forces. “A quick wedding is fine,” Kathy scolded, “but Elena’s doesn’t do weddings without thought, so you two hang on to your hats, go about your days, and in a few weeks, we’ll have a wonderful wedding in Kenneville.”
    Would it snow?
    Was there an ice storm looming?
    â€œIt doesn’t matter,” Kathy promised. “We’re using an inside venue and weather will do what weather will do. Go back to writing your final paper and leave me alone, Tara.”
    She finished her final paper, and Greg drew up wedding-package contract agreements with multiple professionals on board. They booked six packages the first week, and eight the week after.
    The ladies’ combined efforts sold seventeen vintage-style independent gowns and booked thirteen full wedding parties.
    Instead of closing the doors to Elena’s, they’d increased their staff, reached into the community, and incorporated a new business model.
    But nothing loomed as bright and beautiful as her upcoming wedding day.
    Crisp, bright light filtered through stained glass windows. Flowers adorned the sanctuary, and soft piano music welcomed the guests into the historic, small church tucked on Franklin Street in Kenneville.
    Tara’s mother stepped into the bride’s room. Quick tears filled her eyes. Her