Harlow felt herself relaxing. “Thanks. I’m not sure what kind of bride I’m going to be.”
“The best kind,” Kip told her.
“You’re sweet,” Rusti said. “And such a cute couple. All right. This is our main ballroom.” She pulled open double doors and led them into a giant ballroom overlooking the water.
“Depending on weather, the glass doors can be open or closed. Open means more space and mingling. Dance floor on the east side.” She pointed. “Buffet is available, but a plated dinner really makes the evening. The ceremony would be next door, overlooking the gardens.”
She grinned at Harlow. “We don’t want a view that outshines the bride. A fifty-thousand-dollar deposit holds the space and, of course, applies to the cost of the wedding.”
Judy blanched. “Did you say fifty thousand dollars?”
“Mom.” Kip looked at her. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay. It’s fifty thousand dollars. That’s a down-payment on a house.”
Rusti smiled at Harlow. “Are you comfortable with this?”
Harlow ignored the flush of embarrassment heating her face. “It’s fine, Rusti. My dad wants me to have the wedding of my dreams. Let’s keep going.”
Rusti took them into the garden. The heat and humidity slapped them, making Harlow want to duck back indoors. But she nodded and listened as Rusti explained the options. Once they returned to the ballroom, Rusti mentioned looking at menus, just to give them some ideas.
“The fifty thousand doesn’t include a meal?” Judy asked in disbelief.
Kip shot Harlow a look of apology. “We’re going to go,” he said. “I’ll check in with you later.”
Harlow nodded, once again wishing her mom was here. She would know what to say and how to defuse the situation.
She looked at Rusti. “Sorry about that. Kip and his family aren’t country-club people, so it’s hard for her to understand.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about it. So, what do you think?”
“I don’t know,” Harlow admitted. “It’s beautiful, and we could invite everyone we want. I do like the idea of being able to hand off a lot of the work.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“I need to think on this. It’s a big decision, and I want to make sure it’s the right one.”
Rusti’s smile never faltered. “Let me get you a list of the dates that are currently open. We book up fast, so there aren’t many. You might want to put down the deposit while you’re considering other options. It’s fully refundable up to six months before the wedding.”
“Great idea,” Harlow murmured, thinking she didn’t have fifty thousand dollars. She would have to talk to her dad. Sure, he’d said he would pay for her wedding at the club, but did he have a clue as to the cost?
“I’ll be in touch,” Harlow told her. “Thanks so much for your help.”
She made sure Rusti had her email address to send the dates, then made her escape. In her car, she looked back at the club. Yes, Judy wasn’t used to country-club prices, but Harlow had to admit that even to her, fifty thousand seemed steep for a deposit. It wasn’t as if she and Kip could contribute, and her mom wasn’t in much better shape. There would be cash when the house sold, but maybe her mom should keep the money for her future.
As she drove away, she thought about the business she and her dad were supposed to be buying, if only he would read the offer the lawyer had sent over. That was two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
How much money did her dad actually have to spend on things like buying a business and her wedding? They’d talked about both, but with Cord, she was never sure he was listening. Maybe it was time to have a serious conversation with him about many things, including the fact that he’d cheated on her mother.
“Probably best to start with the money stuff,” she murmured aloud. “That will be a whole lot more pleasant than talking about Dad being a hound dog.”
twelve
IN THE END, Harlow went for easy rather than expedient. She drove into town and parked near the upscale shopping area. From there it was a quick walk to the boutique where Enid worked most afternoons before starting her shift at a local bar.
Enid, manning a professional steamer, smiled at her.
“Hi. How did it go? Are you getting married at the club?”
“I don’t know.” Harlow hugged her, then glanced at the still wrinkled black cocktail dress. “Pretty.”
“Linen.” Enid lowered her voice. “I can’t keep the wrinkles out. Don’t buy this one.”
“Thanks for the tip. Anyway, it went all right. Kip’s mom freaked at the deposit. We didn’t get much past that.”
Enid returned her attention to the dress and began steaming. “Most people freak at those kind of prices.”
“Then Kip should have warned her. It was really uncomfortable. I wish my mom had been there.”
“She’s still in California?”
“I guess.”
Enid looked at her. “You haven’t talked?”
“No. She just went away without a word. For all I know, she’s never coming home.”
Enid’s mouth twitched. “Ah, there she is. My little ray of sunshine.”
Despite how her afternoon had gone, Harlow smiled. “Okay, I’m not always the most positive person on the planet, but this was bad. Judy was uncomfortable the whole time.”
“A lot of people don’t have country-club lifestyles. Kip doesn’t come from money like you.”
“I don’t come from money. We’re not rich.”
“Richer than most. Haven’t you and Kip talked about what it was like when he was growing up?”
“What do you mean?”
“His dad works in a machine shop. His mom’s a checker at the grocery store. He sells appliances. I’m not saying it’s bad—but it’s not the way you grew up.”
Harlow stared at her friend. “How can you know all that about him?”
“We talk sometimes when the three of us go out with friends.” Enid shrugged. “Kip and I have a lot in common. You’re the richest person we know.”
“But I’m not. I don’t have money.”
“You have access.” Enid moved the cocktail dress to a rack, then began steaming a silk blouse. “If you need something, you ask your dad.” Her expression darkened. “I’m working two jobs to save for medical school. If I’m lucky, I’ll graduate only a hundred thousand in debt.”