“Well, look who the cat dragged in? I gotta say you’re looking more decent than usual since my best friend decided to make an honest man out of you.”
“Ha ha, very funny, Shianne. I see that a year in Japan hasn’t improved your manners,” he retorted.
After a tense few seconds of the two of them staring down at each other, they burst into laughter. James hugged Shianne.
“Glad you’re back.”
“Glad to be back.”
James turned to Carly. “Carly,” he greeted with a broad smile.
“Hi, James,” Carly greeted, accepting his hug.
Rory sat by James at the rehearsal dinner, fidgeting with the straps of her lilac-colored dress as the rest of their wedding party stared at them with varying expressions. The one that stood out to her the most was the scowl on Lenora’s face and how often she’d caught her staring at her, her brilliant blue eyes filled with rage.
Instead of focusing on how great a job Jenny had transformed Willberry Eats into a sophisticated setting decorated with pepper lights, garlands, and wreaths, not to mention the perfectly set long dining tables that they’d swapped out the regular tables and chairs for. Even though it hadn’t snowed as forecasted, the windows had been frosted to give the appearance that it was. No, she hadn’t been able to take the time to admire and appreciate it all because of her mother-in-law’s obvious displeasure.
For the third time that evening, she wondered if she was making a mistake. She felt the warmth of James’ hand on her thigh, which prompted her to look up at him.
“Are you okay?” he mouthed, as his eyes full of concern stared at her.
Rory swallowed down the lump and forced a smile on her lips as she nodded ‘yes.’
James was not convinced, but just as he went to make a comment, the sound of a utensil clinking against a wine glass caught their attention. Uncle Luke was on his feet, glass in hand and a bright smile on his lips.
“I would like to propose a toast to my grand-niece, Rory and to her loving fiancé James,” he started. Rory felt her cheeks already starting to warm over.
“I know your grandfather would have been happy to be here to witness this, but I also know he is smiling down on you right now. He would want you to know how proud he is of your accomplishments and for always standing up for what you know is right. I believe that you are both good for each other, and I know your union will be a great one…. To Rory and James,” he finished with his wine glass raised in a toast. The others raised their own glasses in acknowledgment.
“This is ludicrous. Really? Who doesn’t know the difference between a salad fork and a shrimp fork?”
Rory’s heart sank to the bottom of her chest.
“Lenny,” Richard turned to say through clenched teeth.
The woman looked at her husband before looking away, the scowl a seemingly permanent setting on her face.
Brody, James’ best man, was the next person to get up with glass in hand.
“I said I was going to leave all the embarrassing stories of James for the actual wedding reception, but how could I resist?”
“Brody,” James hissed in warning, but this only encouraged him to continue to the delight of his audience.
“When we were in college for our initiation into our Sorority, we were dared to…” Brody looked over at James, smirking. James’ eyes, in turn, shot daggers at him. “Well, I’ll leave that story for another time. Congratulations to both of you!” Brody finished, holding his glass in the air.
Many people got up to wish them well or to tell old embarrassing stories about them. But they were enjoying it. Rory loved hearing the stories about James, as did he about her. They sat teasing each other. Everything was going well until…
“I would like to say a few words.”
Silence fell over the party as every eye turned to Lenora.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Rory’s heart thrummed wildly against her chest, and the air jetted through her lips in rapid succession as she watched her mother-in-law stand from her seat, indicating that she wanted to say something. Somehow, she knew that whatever the woman had to say would not be good, and the impending anxiety attack was clawing itself to the surface as she waited.
Lenora lifted her champagne flute, holding it with both hands close to her chest. “Firstly, I want to say that James, my son…” she turned her attention to James, who sat stiffly beside Rory as if sensing that his mother was up to something troubling.
“I love you very much, and I want you to be happy, believe me, I do.” The woman took in a deep breath and looked around the room of expectant faces before continuing. “With that being said, ever since the day you were born, I knew you were special and that whatever you did, your father and I would have been proud of you. You have been responsible, caring, and someone who sees the good and usefulness of everyone even when at times it is so far from the truth.” Her eyes cut to Rory before settling back on her son.
