Arabella opened her mouth to say something, then shut it when Cat came running up and dropped her tug toy at Kyle’s feet. He mindlessly picked it up and gave it a small toss. “You mean to tell me Bishop hasn’t been the least bit curious what you two have been up to back here?” he asked.
Arabella shook her head. “He thinks we’re decorating for the Christmas Eve luncheon.”
Kyle glanced up, taking in the ceiling again. “You know what I think we should do? Add lights along that tulle.”
Arabella and I exchanged a quick look and tried not to smile.
Fixing my gaze on the ceiling, I replied, “I think that’s a great idea.”
Kyle’s mind was apparently still working since he went on. “And, with all the clear glass in here, it really brings in the outside with the trees and snow. Willow had these tables she rented out once at an event at the apple orchard. They were clear glass, and the chairs were clear as well. I think you should ask her where she got them. That way, they won’t compete with the outside. Instead, it’ll reflect it and make it feel like one big open area.”
I was positive my mouth was hanging open as I stared at Kyle.
When neither of us replied to his suggestion, Kyle looked at me, then Arabella. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Who are you and what have you done with Kyle?” I asked, slowly shaking my head in amazement.
He folded his arms over his chest. “So just because I’m a guy, I can’t see the vision you’re going for?”
“No,” Arabella stated. “It’s because you’re Kyle. When did you start thinking like this?”
He frowned. “Excuse me, but I also have a romantic side. I simply choose not to show it.”
My brows shot up. “A…romantic side?”
“Yes, Abby,” he said with a note of agitation in his voice. “Just because I’m single and like the occasional hook-up, doesn’t mean I’m not a romantic. Someday I’d like to see a beautiful bride walk down an aisle toward me.”
Arabella and I exchanged another look before I walked in a circle and took in the greenhouse. “I think you’re right. We can put white lanterns on the tables.”
“With greenery around the bases,” Arabella added.
“Tree clippings. Lord knows we have enough of them,” I said, feeling my excitement grow even more.
“What about fake chandeliers?” Kyle added. “You could hang—” he looked up—“maybe three of them down along the center.”
“Fake chandeliers?” I asked.
He nodded. “My cousin used them at her wedding last summer. She got married in a barn that didn’t have electricity. They didn’t want to use candles, with it being a barn and all. They used chandeliers with battery-operated lights. I can call her and see where she got hers. She might even still have them.”
“That’s a wonderful idea!” Arabella said as she clapped her hands. “It’ll give off a romantic vibe for sure.”
Kyle beamed with pride. “I’ll call her right now.”
As he walked across to stand on the opposite side of the greenhouse, I made my way closer to Arabella. “What happened to Kyle?” I whispered. “Did I miss something when I was gone?”
She looked just as befuddled by this version of Kyle as I was. “Not that I know of. But then again, I’m not exactly a pillar of gossip.”
“I’ll ask Greer. Maybe she knows what in the world’s going on with her brother.”
“Not yet,” Arabella said. “He’s like the wedding planner from heaven. Let’s get all we can out of him, then we’ll question Greer.”
I laughed. “Good thinking.”
“Great news!” Kyle said, nearly skipping over to us. Cat was at his feet, obviously feeling his excitement. “My cousin still has the chandeliers, and she said you can use them.”
“Oh my gosh, really?” I threw myself into Kyle’s arms. Cat jumped up on me and barked while Kyle laughed. “Thank you so much, Kyle. For everything.”
“You’re welcome. What else do you need me to do before I head out to find Bishop?”
I took a look around. “I want to keep it simple, so I think just the lights up on the tulle and then the chandeliers. If you can help with that, then I’ll get the table information from Willa. Hopefully we can still get them since it’s so last minute. We won’t need many, though, for our family and close friends.”
“Are you doing a cake?” Kyle asked. “Please tell me you’re doing a cake. You know how much I love a good cake.”
Arabella chimed in on that one. “I already talked to Candace; she’s going to help with the cake. I can bake it, but there’s no way I can decorate it, and she has the talent for it.”
“Does Candace know it’s really a surprise wedding?” Kyle asked.
I nodded. “Yes, but she promised not to utter a word to anyone.”
Arabella pouted and crossed her arms in front of her. “It came at a price though. She’s making me go to Boston.”
Kyle lifted a brow in question. “Why?”
Rolling her eyes, Arabella said, “According to Candace, I’m much overdo for a makeover. She wants to have a spa day. Do you know what a spa day is in Candace’s world?”
Kyle shook his head as he chuckled. “I can only imagine.”
“It’s going to a spa, getting a facial, a massage with hot stones—hot stones! How does that sound like fun? Then a manicure and pedicure, then it’s off to the best hairdresser in Boston, according to Candace. She said, and I quote, ‘Someone needs to fix your hair.’” Arabella reached up and grabbed a strand of her blonde hair. “What’s wrong with my hair?”
Lifting his hands, Kyle said, “I’m not touching that question with a ten-foot pole. That’s like asking if an outfit makes you look big. Nope. Not answering that at all.”
I laughed. “You’re a smart man, Kyle Larson.”
He winked at me. “Thank you.”
Sighing, Arabella said, “I don’t want to go to Boston, but I’ll do it for Abby and Bishop, because they deserve this day.”
“It’ll be fun, Arabella.” Kyle leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. She stiffened, but only for a moment. I was positive Kyle noticed, but he acted as if he hadn’t. “I’m going to head on out. I’ll text you when I get the chandeliers, Abby, and we can work out a time to finish decorating.”
I reached down and gave Cat a quick hug, then followed Kyle toward the door of the greenhouse. He reached for his jacket and slipped it on before he got to the door.
“Thank you, Kyle. For everything. You’ll never know how much this means to me.” Reaching up on my toes, I kissed him on the cheek. “Whoever lands you will be one very lucky woman.”
He gave me a soft smile. “We’ll talk soon, Abby.”
I opened the door and Cat took off running out into the snow, barking as if she’d just been let free after days.
“Stay warm!” I called out, then stepped back into the greenhouse and shut the door. Spinning around, I gave the space one more look. “One week, Arabella. One week and I’ll be Mrs. Bishop Harris again.”