He nodded. “I know. Then we can keep you.”
Mandy hugged him as she smiled at Rocco.
“One more thing.” Rocco handed her the wrapped box.
She sent him a questioning look as she ripped the paper. Zavi looked as if he was about to reach over and help her. She handed him the paper then opened the flat, hinged box. Inside was a string of pearls that had a large turquoise pendant. The pendant was wrapped in thin-gauge strips of a white metal that were twisted and knotted by a craftsman, making the piece a tiny sculpture. A pair of matching pearl and turquoise earrings were included in the set.
“This is gorgeous!”
Rocco smiled, visibly relieved that she liked it. “I had a local jeweler make it for you.”
“When did you have time to do this?”
“A while ago. I’ve known for a long time we were going to get married.”
Mandy met him halfway around the table for a hug and a kiss. “I love these. They’ll go perfectly with my dress.”
Rocco hugged her, then lifted the tray and started for the door. “Wynn’s got Zavi today. She’ll get him ready for the ceremony.”
“Have her get him dressed after he eats.”
“Good point. Will do.”
Mandy knelt down to hug Zavi, too. “Be good for Miss Wynn. I’m not going to see much of you today until later.”
“Why?”
“Because I have so much to do to get ready. And I can’t see Papa until the ceremony.”
“Why?”
Mandy gave him a little shrug. “To make it special.”
“Okay, Mom. I’ll make sure Casey doesn’t bother you either.”
“Neither of you ever bother me. But I agree, it’s a good idea to keep yourselves busy today.” She hugged him, gave Rocco a kiss on his cheek, then held the door for them.
“I love you,” he said, looking back at her. “If it’s too much, come get me and we’ll elope.”
“No can do, Rocco. Eloping’s not on Ivy’s schedule.”
*
Owen went down the hall to the south bedroom wing upstairs. Greer, Remi, and Val were in the sitting room drinking wine.
“Hey, O. Can I pour you a glass?” Val asked.
“No, thank you.”
Greer stood. “Something up?”
Owen glanced from Greer to Remi. “I’ve come to ask a favor. Of Remi.”
“Sure.” Remi smiled.
“I need you to do a read on Ace.”
Remi’s brow lifted. “What kind of read?”
Owen pulled a paper from his chest pocket and handed it to her. “I’ve made a change to Ivy’s seating plan for dinner. Ace will be sitting on my right. You’ll be sitting on my left. I would like to hear your impressions of her after the wedding.”
“Shit, O,” Val grumbled. He took the seating chart from Remi and looked it over. “Is that really necessary?” His blue gaze met Owen’s. “Or do you not trust me any longer?”
“I trust you. I don’t trust Ace. Remi’s been trained to read people. She studies them for a living.”
“With all due respect, Owen,” Remi said, “I may not be of much help to you. It isn’t easy getting an in-depth read of a person in just a couple of hours at an event like Mandy’s wedding.”
“Do your best. Stay aware.”
“I will.”
*
Mandy took a last look in the mirror. She’d decided to go with a western look. She and Ivy had worked with Val’s friend, who owned the bridal shop in Denver that Ivy had used. She’d selected a sleeveless dress that had a white-on-white embroidered bodice and a white tulle skirt. The skirt flared out in several layers, ending just above her knees. She picked a new pair of cowboy boots, a thick brown belt, and jean jacket to tie everything together.
Val had sent over a couple of ladies from the salon in town to do hair and nails for all the girls. Even Selena and Wynn. Mandy’s hair was in a complicated updo of multiple braids twisted together at the back of her head. Tiny white bud roses and pink baby’s-breath flowers were woven into the style. The necklace Rocco gave her matched the turquoise accents on her boots.
Ivy was standing beside her. Mandy looked at her friend, thinking how far they’d both come in the time since they reconnected after high school. Ivy gave her a smile and a quick hug. “Are you ready?”
Mandy felt a nervous twist in her stomach. She nodded.
“Good, because everyone’s ready downstairs, too.” She looked at her watch. “I asked Owen to come up at five minutes before six.” She went to open the door and found him pacing in the sitting room. “She’s all yours. Oh, wait.” She hurried back inside Mandy’s room and grabbed a few tissues from the box in her bathroom. She handed them to Owen. “Just in case.”
He nodded as he tucked them into his pocket. “I am feeling oddly emotional.”
“They’re not for you.” Ivy laughed. “They’re for Mandy. You have to keep it together. She’s counting on you.”
He laughed. “See you downstairs.” When she was gone, he smiled at Mandy. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you, Owen.”