“Sounds great,” Lexi said, grabbing the crook of Seth’s arm as they began walking to the dining room and bar area. A wall of windows along the back of the room looked out onto the large covered veranda filled with plush white outdoor lounge furniture and Adirondack chairs.
“How many people are you planning to have?” Karen asked, stopping by the bar. “That really determines the spaces we can use.”
“Our current guest list is about seventy-five,” Lexi answered. She and Seth had discussed it and liked the idea of having a smaller, more intimate wedding.
“Well, add at least a hundred more to that because my list alone is that long,” Nancy said, combing her hair with her fingers. “All of our friends would be offended if they weren’t invited.”
Lexi’s eyes grew wide. Nancy had never said anything about a hundred-person guest list. She could see Seth shaking his head out of the corner of her eye. She felt there was a big “I told you so” in her future.
“Well,” said Karen quickly, “I’d suggest having the ceremony in our most popular spot for weddings.” She led them out the French doors and pointed to the eighteenth hole. Two kissing oak trees formed an arch, and the blue river sparkled in the background.
Lexi gasped at the beauty of the scene. “It’s gorgeous,” she said, squeezing Seth’s hand. She took a moment to imagine what it would be like to get married there. The snowy egrets would be pecking in the water behind them as they said “I do” against the backdrop of a romantic and peaceful sky. “It’s the perfect setting for our outdoor wedding,” she said to Seth, trying to get him excited about it. “We could have Archie be the ring bearer.”
Seth smiled. If there was one thing her fiancé got excited about, it was their dog.
Nancy frowned. “Isn’t that a little…” She hesitated and then went for it. “Cheesy?”
Lexi straightened her posture, feeling embarrassed for even suggesting that. “Where would the reception be?” she asked, quickly changing the subject.
“We would set up a gorgeous outdoor tent that would accommodate your guest list,” Karen explained.
“A tent?” Seth whispered to Lexi. “We can put a tent anywhere. What’s the point in having it here?”
Lexi shushed him. “What kind of tent?” she asked Karen.
Nancy answered for her. “Oh, we did one for the gala, and now, let me tell you, it was just gorgeous! There were chandeliers and a dance floor, and everyone came up to me to say how lovely it was that it had an indoor-outdoor feeling. Especially if you do it when the temperature is just right.”
“I guess it does depend on what date we can get, right?” Lexi said.
“Why don’t y’all come to my office and we can look at dates,” Karen said before leading them back toward the clubhouse.
Lexi lingered for a second, looking back at the oak trees swaying together in the summer breeze. She sighed, not knowing what to do. Seth didn’t seem too happy about having it here, but there was also something about the venue that felt right.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you decided to get married here,” Nancy said, startling Lexi.
She looked up and realized Seth and Karen were already walking back to the clubhouse. “It’s really pretty,” Lexi said.
“It is. This is the kind of wedding I’ve always wanted for my son.” She smoothed her fingers over the dainty string of pearls around her neck. “And of course, you’re going to be a gorgeous bride. This is the kind of place you deserve to have your wedding,” Nancy said.
Lexi smiled. “That’s really sweet of you.”
“Well, it’s true.” They began walking back to the clubhouse. “I know we haven’t had a lot of time, just the two of us, and I wanted to say that I’m looking forward to having you as a daughter-in-law. I know that you make my stubborn son very happy, and that’s all a mom could ask for.”
“Well, it’s not an easy task,” Lexi quipped.
Nancy put her hand gently around Lexi’s shoulders. “And just so you know, men never like planning weddings, no matter where you have it.” She paused. “Unless maybe it’s at the football stadium during halftime.”
Lexi laughed. “Ooh, maybe I should call LSU and see if they can hook a girl up.”
Nancy flashed a smile. “All I’m saying is, even if Seth doesn’t help you, I’ll be there. It’ll be fun to do this together.”
“My mom and I would love your help,” Lexi said. She only wished her mom could have been there to tour the venue with them, but she had promised to cover a coworker’s shift. Lynn said she was planning to cut back on her hours at the diner now that they had more money, but Lexi knew she’d never quit working completely, claiming she’d get bored if she didn’t have somewhere to go every day. She sounded like Callie.
Nancy squeezed Lexi’s hand. “I can’t wait.”
A weight lifted, and Lexi exhaled. She felt like she was finally being accepted into Seth’s family. And as much as Seth ranted about his parents, Lexi knew he still really loved them and wanted them to have a good relationship with her.
“It’ll be fun,” Lexi finally said confidently. Even if it wasn’t Seth’s dream wedding, it was hers.
* * *
“If this is what you really and truly want, I’ll do it,” Seth said during a quick decision-making chat outside Karen’s office.
Lexi nodded. “I really and truly want it.”
He kissed her, and the two walked back into the office where Nancy sat with an eager grin.
“All right, let’s book it!” Lexi announced with a clap.
“Yay!” Nancy squealed, hugging both of them. She squeezed Seth’s cheeks. “My baby’s getting married!”
“So, what dates do you have available?” Lexi asked Karen.
The woman clicked her computer mouse a few times and studied the screen for a second. “The next available one I have is the first Saturday in April…”
Lexi wiggled her feet beneath her. A spring wedding? How lovely! It was a couple of months sooner than she had originally hoped—a summer wedding would have been ideal in terms of timing—but she could make it work. And the best part was it would happen before Mackenzie’s wedding next fall, meaning everyone in town would be comparing Mackenzie’s to hers, not the other way around.
“… two years from now,” Karen finished.
Lexi’s heart sank. “Two years from now? That’s so far away!”
Karen shook her head. “I’m afraid we’re all booked until then.”
“Oh, isn’t there anything you can do, Karen?” Nancy butted in. “What about a cancellation?”
Karen cocked her head to the side as she thought for a second. Then her eyes lit up like she had just remembered something. “Well, actually, I did have a last-minute cancellation.…”
“Oh my gosh, really?” Lexi sat up in her chair at attention. Looks like Nancy was going to be helpful with this wedding stuff after all.
“Don’t get too excited, though,” Karen said in a pessimistic tone. “I don’t think there’s any way you’re gonna want this.” She shook her head.