Daughters Of The Bride(75)

His normally smiling face turned serious. “But it wasn’t like that, and when I lost her, I was devastated. We hadn’t been blessed with children. I had my work and friends, but it wasn’t the same. She’d been everything to me.”

“I’m sorry,” Courtney told him. She’d known that Neil was a widower, but not the details.

“After a couple of years, I started dating.” He grimaced. “I was a disaster. I missed Karen and I couldn’t seem to make a connection to anyone else. After a year or so, I gave up. I eventually started traveling to figure out where I would retire.” He smiled. “I stopped here for a few days and stayed at this very hotel. Your mother was here for a client lunch. I saw her and couldn’t take my eyes off her. The second her client left, I went up and introduced myself.”

Courtney laughed. “I remember talking to her after that meeting. She couldn’t figure out if you were the sweetest man ever or a serial killer.”

He chuckled. “I know. I felt a spark and I knew she was the one. But I went slow so I wouldn’t scare her off.” He lightly patted her hand. “I’m pretty much a one-woman man. I want you and your sisters to know that. While I was married, I never even looked at another woman. I’m the same with your mother. She’s my princess and I’m lucky to have her in my life. I never figured I was a lucky guy, but I know now that I’m about the luckiest SOB to ever walk the earth. Look at the two blessings I’ve been given.”

Courtney felt a burning in the backs of her eyes. She leaned forward and hugged Neil. “We’re so glad she’s found you.”

“I’m the one who’s glad.” He cleared his throat. “I make you this promise. I will take care of Maggie for the rest of my life and hers. She’ll never want for anything. I give you my word.”

“Thank you.”

Courtney knew that Neil had recently sold a successful business, so she would guess he was reasonably well-off. Maggie had done well with her accounting firm, so between the two of them, she was sure they would have a comfortable life.

Neil glanced over her shoulder, and his face lit up. “Speaking of princesses...”

She turned and saw Maggie, Sienna and David making their way to the table. Courtney doubted the princess remark referred to David. She stood and crossed to her sister.

“Thanks for doing this,” Sienna said. She looked around. “Cute decorations. You really went all out.” She paused for a second. “This is you, isn’t it? Doing the work? Mom mentioned something about you handling the wedding.”

“I’ve been helping out around the hotel,” she said, sidestepping the question. “What with this being a family affair, I wanted to help.”

David joined them. “If we get married here instead of in St. Louis, we’ll have to talk to you, Courtney. You know all the ins and outs.”

“You’re thinking maybe of St. Louis?” she asked, surprised.

David nodded. “Or a destination wedding. We haven’t decided.”

Courtney watched her sister as he spoke. Sienna was smiling, but there was a trapped look in her eyes. Or maybe Courtney was imagining things. She saw Rachel arrive and excused herself.

“Hey, you,” she said as she hugged her older sister.

“Hi, back. Wow—the room looks great. I can’t wait to try everything.” She patted her stomach. “I walked two extra miles yesterday and today, so I’m not going to think about calories.”

“You’ve lost weight, though. I can tell. You look great.”

“Thank you. I hate to say this, but I’m feeling better. What a nightmare. What if everything they say about exercise is true? What if I have to do it forever?”

Courtney laughed. “There are worse things.”

“Really? Like what?” Rachel pointed to the bar. “I want a cocktail. Lena dropped me off and Mom and Neil are taking me home, so I can indulge.”

“You do that. I’m going to get everyone to the table, where we’ll discuss how the evening is going to go.”

Once everyone had drinks and had found a seat, Courtney explained how the evening would work and what they would be tasting.

“I have note cards and pens for each of you,” she said, pointing to the paper at each place setting. “Go ahead and rate the food. There’s also room for comments.”

“Like what?” Maggie asked.

“Things like ‘I like it, but it’s hard to eat and I’m afraid I’m going to spill.’”

“Guests hate that,” Sienna said. “No one wants to trash their good clothes.”