A March Bride (A Year of Weddings 1 #4)(19)

“Ha! You didn’t fly four thousand miles to see me.”

“Well, not expressly, no.” He leaned forward. “Have you seen Susanna? I thought to surprise her, but now I wish I’d rung her.”

“She headed out on her bicycle this morning, just as your assistant called saying you were on your way. I’ve not seen her since.”

“She doesn’t know, though, about the plan?” The plan he prayed worked. That he’d not set himself up, once again, to be rejected by the woman he loved. Though his “love” for Adel was nothing more than youthful infatuation and lust.

“She does not. I only told the necessary folks, just like you asked.” Glo shot him a sneaky smirk as she reached down, tugging open a bottom desk drawer. “Got the specifications from your assistant—”

“Jonathan, my aide.” Of course she knew Jonathan, but he was nervous, filling the void with words.

Glo passed him the printed checklist. “As you can see, I conquered half of them today. The food has been ordered. Still waiting on some of the bigger ticket items.”

Nathaniel scanned the checked items, excitement blooming in his chest, clouded only by the realization he had yet to speak to his beloved. He passed the list back to Glo. “Thank you for your help. I know I imposed upon you.”

“Pshaw, boy, it’s for my Suz. We’ve not been able to do much for the Brighton wedding. It’s my honor to help with this.”

“Spare no expense. I’ll pay whatever to have the turnaround we need.”

“Dollars and cents? Now you’re speaking southern Georgian. But Gib and I got most of this. A few folks got so excited about your plan, they offered their services for free.”

“No, no, Glo, I insist on paying. Otherwise it is meaningless if it cost me nothing.”

“I could say the same thing.” She slapped her palm against the desk, then slipped the paper back into the bottom drawer. “We should be good to go by Friday evening. We got tonight and all day tomorrow to tidy up this list.”

“Whatever remains unaccomplished, remains. It is only important that Susanna is there. Speaking of my true love, where should I look for her? Your home? Might she be at the hospital? How is your mum?”

“Mum is doing just fine. She went home this morning. She’s sitting up, taking food on her own. She’ll live to be a hundred, God willing.” Glo reached for the desk phone. “Let me see if I can’t track her down.”

While Glo made a few calls, Nathaniel paced the small office stuffed with supplies and old lamps.

On a whim, he’d put forth this idea, his only idea, to woo back Susanna.

He could not abdicate his throne over the citizenship debacle, but he could meet Susanna on her side of the world and do his level best to prove he loved her and wanted to marry her no matter what her citizenship.

Now if only she still wanted him.

She didn’t seem the kind of woman to run out on her commitments readily. But all bets were off when one was challenged right down to the core of her identity.

“Nathaniel!” Avery dashed into the office and roped him in a big hug. No pretense. No inhibitions. Just love. “You’re here. I’m sooo excited. Mama, I found the dress in Granny’s things.”

“Good girl.” Glo dialed another number. “Did you drop it off at Morgan’s? Nathaniel, she’s not answering her phone—let me try her granny’s.”

“Yep, and they’re putting the bum’s rush on it.” Avery perched on the edge of the desk, her eyes bright. “Is Colin coming?”

Ah yes, his young cousin. The prince who was stealing another Truitt girl’s heart. “He’s on his way with Mum and Stephen as we speak. We’re running out of royal aeroplanes. Susanna has Royal One. I flew on Royal Two with the accompanying staff. Mum, Stephen, and Colin along with Jonathan had to charter from a private carrier.”

Avery twisted up her lips, snapping her fingers. “And to think, the rest of us have to fly coach.”

“All right, missy.” Glo poked her in the back, holding the phone receiver to her ear. “You have homework? If not, I could use an extra hand in here tonight. Sue Ellen called in sick. Hello, Marlee, Glo Truitt here. Susanna’s not around the shop, is she? Getting her hair done?” She listened with a grimace, then hung up. “Well, no one’s seen her since this afternoon. She visited her granny around noon. Then popped by Gracie’s a little after two and left there before three. She’s not at Gracie’s salon nor at the house—”

“Y’all looking for Suz?” Avery said, popping up from her perch on the edge of the desk. “Mama, I can’t stay. I’ve got a team meeting.” She tugged her phone from her rucksack. “Did y’all try to call her?”

“Did you just hear me say she’s not answering her phone?”

“Yeah, Mama, you have a different ring tone—Suz, hey, it’s me. Where are you?” Avery grinned at Nathaniel. “When are you coming home? I want to order a large cheese pizza from Sal’s.” Avery’s eyes widened with surprise. “You’re in Savannah? Waiting to take off for Brighton? You realize you love Nathaniel and want to go back to Brighton? Why am I repeating everything you say?”

Avery shot Nathaniel a visual plea. What do I do?