Ella forced a weak smile. “Better?”
Mia, Ella's new assistant, shook her head. “No. Seriously, I have this under control. I have since day one. That's why you hired me.”
“I know.” Ella sighed and smoothed her hair again. It was hair-sprayed so well that a hurricane wouldn't undo it, yet she kept feeling like it was going to tumble all around her. “I'm just nervous. It wasn't like this for the other weddings.”
“The other weddings weren't your wedding,” Mia reminded her with a gentle smile. “Now, put on a smile, go have a drink of champagne with your bridesmaids, and let me handle everything. That's what your paying me for.”
Ella glanced around the kitchen one last time and realized how silly it was for her to be in here. She couldn't fix a catering issue while wearing a wedding dress. Besides, the ceremony was supposed to start soon and she shouldn't be in the kitchen when it did.
“Okay.” Ella put on a real smile. “You're sure you have everything ready? What about the cake? And the carriage? Are the horses ready?”
“Ella, if you don't go upstairs and drink some champagne with your friends, I will have security come get you,” Mia warned. “I know you are the owner of this inn, but I will have them escort you away.”
Ella pouted. “Fine.”
“You look beautiful by the way,” Mia said, giving her a smile. “Today is going to be perfect. You're marrying the love of your life, right? Who cares what the rest of the day looks like.”
Ella paused. Those were the words she usually said right before making sure that everything really and truly was perfect. Mia was learning well.
On impulse, Ella pulled Mia into a hug. It wasn't the first time in the past ten months since Mia was hired that Ella had hugged her, but it was the first time that Ella really felt that things were really and truly coming together.
With the help of the Connor's lawyers, the inn was Ella's. She didn't even have to wait until her birthday, as the tax evasion and fraud landed Delores in jail before that. It was amazing what a good lawyer and a full retainer could accomplish.
In addition, the tax lawyer and accountant had managed to get Ella's tax debt down to a reasonable number. It was even low enough that Ella had been able to refuse Jace's offer to pay for it. She'd worked hard to earn this inn, and as much as she loved and trusted Jace, it didn't feel right to use his lawyers and take his money.
If anything, that seemed to make Jace love her more. She didn't quite get why, but she didn't care. He loved her. And he did spoil her by “accidentally” buying things for the inn. Somehow, the air conditioner meant for his office building in New York magically ended up installed at the inn. The same thing happened when the water heater needed replaced, and somehow a magical shipment of premiere towels ended up at Blue Lake inn and Resort.
Ella loved that he wanted to spoil her. After so many years of basically being on her own, it was a wonderful feeling to be loved and pampered. But, she still told him not to do it.
Thinking of Jace put a smile on Ella's face as she headed upstairs to the bridal suite. Her mother's dress rustled softly along the wood floors as she walked. The sound was calm and soothing. For a moment, Ella thought of her mother and how much she wished both her parents could be here.
Then the door to the bridal suite opened, spilling out music and laughter.
“There you are,” Madelyn called to her, pulling her inside. “Mia sent a message that if you didn't show up in the next thirty seconds we were supposed to come looking for you.”
“I'm here,” Ella replied, grinning at the women in the room. Madelyn, Allison, Gwen, Clarissa, and Maria were all here. They were all laughing and drinking champagne because they were celebrating her marriage to Jace.
It felt good. It felt right.
Madelyn looked her up and down. She reached out and touched the satin fabric of the dress. “I loved getting married in this dress. I thought it was made for me, but I was wrong. It was clearly made for you.”
Ella blushed.
“All right, Ms. Bride,” Gwen announced. “Before Anderson escorts you down to the carriage to go meet your beloved, we have a toast to make.”
The rest of the women nodded in agreement. Someone pressed a glass of champagne into Ella's hand.
“To Ella. The best friend we didn't know we were missing until you came,” Gwen began.
“That's terrible,” Madelyn cut in. “It barely makes any sense.”
“To my sister. To our friend. To the woman that is marrying a friend and relative,” Allison said, talking over the other two women. “We love you. And we're so incredibly happy that this day has come. You've worked so hard to turn this place into a place where brides can find their happily ever after, and now you get to experience it first hand. Here's to you, Ella.”