Planning on forever, p.1
Planning on Forever, page 1
Planning on Forever
A Moonlight Valley series, Volume 3
Charlene Groome
Published by Charlene Groome, 2024.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
PLANNING ON FOREVER
First edition. June 4, 2024.
Copyright © 2024 Charlene Groome.
Written by Charlene Groome.
Also by Charlene Groome
A Moonlight Valley series
Rescuing His Heart
Planning on Forever
Moonlight Valley
Playing For Love
Standalone
Making Perfect Scents
Watch for more at Charlene Groome’s site.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Also By Charlene Groome
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
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About the Author
Chapter One
You get what you work for, not what you wish for.
Words Kelly Albright lived by when her best friend hired her to plan her wedding. Self-taught, she learned from television, reading bridal magazines, blogs, and following wedding planners on social media. The only way she could be successful was by experience, and in six weeks, she would prove All is Bright Event Planning could make dreams come true.
Holding her tablet in one hand, she cradled the box of printed menu cards she had picked up from an office supply store in town the other day. The high-quality card stock was edged in gold vines and embossed in calligraphy outlining the six-course meal.
She trekked up the gravel hill until the grapevines came into view. She sighed taking in the remarkable property of Emily’s family winery estate. It was easy to envision a glamorous wedding fit for a glossy magazine like the ones she saw in Bridal Guide when you had a location like this. If she could pull the wedding off successfully, it would not only add credentials to her business but also allow her to reach a higher class of clientele thanks to Mason’s celebrity status.
As Kelly walked up the hill, she passed the four staggered cabins on the property. The sunlight piercing her vision, she squinted to see Emily standing with one foot crossed over the other and her hand gesturing a conversation. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans and slip-on shoes; her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her head tilted and bobbed as she spoke to the best man. Emily’s excitement hadn’t faded since her engagement last year to Colorado Rivermen’s top centerman, Mason Scott.
Kelly’s knees weakened, and she slowed her steps. It wasn’t too late to disappear. They hadn’t spotted her. A quick spin around, and she could run away, but that wouldn’t help the situation, inevitably they’d meet up sometime during the wedding preparations. Another step backward, her chest caved in, not wanting to face the man she had been successfully avoiding the past year. Her throat dried, and she wished she had brought her tumbler iced water with her. Chewing on ice cubes wasn’t just for hydration; it was therapeutic relief during a crisis and this no doubt was the beginning of one.
Her head spun with apprehension. Maybe Brad had stopped to visit Colton, who was staying in one of the cabins he was renting from Emily. Just then, Emily pivoted on her foot to face Kelly with a smile that matched her enthusiast’s eyes. Kelly’s trembling lip moved into a full-on smile. She had to play it cool and ignore her ex-boyfriend; it was the only way to concentrate on the wedding and forget the butterflies flitting her stomach.
Emily waved and walked swiftly to greet Kelly. Although she wanted to meet her friend with the same enthusiasm, she decided to stay where she was and have Emily come to her. It would give her a moment alone without Brad in the conversation.
“Hey!” Emily threw open her arms and wrapped Kelly in them. With a quick release, Kelly rocked to find her balance.
“Dinner menus,” Kelly said, smiling, offering up the box in greeting.
“Great! Yes! Thank you for picking these up.” Emily touched the raised letters from the sample on the outside of the box. “They’re beautiful,” she cooed and looked up with amazement.
“Aren’t they? And I love it that they were done right here in town.”
“Paul at Print Moore did a good job,” Kelly agreed. “Did you send out your invites?”
“I did. Remember? I sent those last week.”
“Oh, right.” Kelly winced, taking Emily’s word for it. Had she been the one mailing and emailing invitations, she might have remembered, but her memory wasn’t as sharp these days, and she blamed her lack of sleep and managing her new business.
Emily hugged the box. “Did you bring the programs too?” She bounced.
“Oh.” Kelly’s brow creased. She brought her teeth together. Did she order them? She felt her cheeks warm. “I must have forgotten to grab them when I picked up the menu cards. I can run back now and get them. It’ll take me fifteen minutes, tops.” She knew her friend wouldn’t insist, but it was an essential task that could get her away from Brad which she needed to do ASAP.
“Don’t worry about it,” Emily soothed. “You’re here now. I can always grab them later when I’m out. I need to show you what Brad and I’ve come up with for the layout of the ceremony and dinner.” She touched Kelly’s hand and gave it a little squeeze. “I think you’re going to be impressed.”
“Well, about those cards,” Kelly said, her mind scrambling to remember if she ordered them, but she had to have. She checked things off on her tablet as she went. “I have to head that way again, so I’ll stop in. No biggie.”
“If you’re okay with it. I don’t want to get in your way,” Emily said. “You’re doing such a great job. Mason is going to be surprised when he gets home.”
“How’s he doing in the playoffs? I haven’t been following,” Kelly admitted.
“His team is down two to one. I can’t even watch the game.” Emily cringed. “I’m so nervous for him.”
“By the time he gets home, it doesn’t give him much of a chance to get into wedding mode, does it?”
“I think he likes it this way, honestly.” Emily sighed. “It’s less for him to think about. He’s so focused on the games right now; I don’t want to bother him too much with details. Plus, he trusts us and doesn’t have too many requests. That’s why he’s so happy you’re helping us out.”
Kelly’s eyes darted from Emily to Brad, who was now sauntering toward them. Her insides flared with a familiar tug.
“What’s Brad doing here?” Kelly whispered. “Visiting Colton?”
“Colton’s at work.”
“Shouldn’t Brad be at work too?” Kelly snarled.
“Come on, Kel.” Emily tilted her head. “He came by to see if I needed help with anything.”
“And you said no because I’m your event planner and have everything under control. Right?”
“He’s already given me an idea on where to put the alter,” Emily said mildly. “Brad’s going to help us out.”
“You’re kidding.” Kelly’s stomach sank, and her heart picked up the pace with every step Brad took toward her.
“It would be good since Mason’s not here. Brad said he didn’t mind helping out.”
“We don’t need him,” Kelly snapped. “Between you, Mason, and I, we’ve got it covered.”
How was she going to tell Brad she didn’t need his help without sounding annoyed like she was holding a grudge? She was trying to free herself from feeling like she made the wrong decision breaking up with him. If Brad got involved with the plans, he’d get in her way, and Kelly needed to have one hundred percent of her focus on the wedding. She couldn’t have him interfering, as it was already enough managing her best friend’s wedding. She didn’t need Brad as a reminder of what she could have had.
“Mason wants Brad’s help,” Emily blurted out. “He wants him here.” She fluttered her eyelashes. “He is the best man.” Her shoulders came up. “What can I do? I can’t say no. It was the only thing Mason asked for since he couldn’t be here.”
“Just tell him we have everything under control. Everything’s practically done.” Kelly tasted the bitterness on her tongue. It’s not like Brad was interested in weddings anyway.
“If it makes Mason feel part of the planning having Brad here, then,” her friend’s voice drifted. “I don’t have a choice.”
“I wish you warned me.” Kelly tightened her lips together. She knew she was being ridiculous but it did put a whole new spin on the event, for her anyway.
“I didn’t know.” Emily shrugged .
“He’s not going to be much help. He’ll get in the way,” Kelly whispered, darting her eyes to Brad, who was standing close by as though waiting to be invited over. Feeling her back muscles tense, Brad was the last person she’d involve with planning a wedding. “He forgets where he puts his keys most times, and Brad promised me he’d never break my heart and look where that led?” Kelly raised her hand. “And don’t forget, he doesn’t like weddings, so anything he says is not going to benefit you, but if you want your wedding to be about beer pong and karaoke, he’s your guy.” She bit down on her bottom lip wishing she didn’t sound so bitter.
“Okay, okay.” Emily took a step back. “You need to give him a chance. He’s sensible, trustworthy, and he’s the best man,” she explained. “Come on, we’re all friends here.”
“We’re not friends,” Kelly said. “He’s my ex. There’s something to be said for that, isn’t there?”
Emily frowned. “I know it might be hard for you, but Mason wants him here, and you and Brad are like family.” She blinked and smiled, reaching for her arm to soothe her with a brush of her hand.
“We can’t depend on him,” Kelly warned. Whatever Emily thought Brad could do, it was a big mistake.
“I’m sure there are small jobs he can help with,” Emily wavered. She looked over her shoulder at Brad. Emily was thoughtful trying to make people feel good, she gave off a warm and fuzzy feeling, something Kelly hadn’t quite mastered.
Kelly crossed her arms. “He’s going to get in the way.” She leaned back on her heels. It was Brad’s nature to take control of a situation and run with it. Maybe that’s what made him excellent at his firefighting job. He was confident and trustworthy. Too bad he wasn’t the same in a relationship.
Avoiding Brad was her best chance of getting on with her life. Not like the past year was anything to rave about. Quitting her banking job and starting her own business wasn’t in her plans, but it was now or never under the circumstance.
“We’ll give him odd jobs,” Emily rationalized. “You know, picking things up from a store, helping out with decorations.” She flared out her hands.
If Brad were involved with the wedding, he would be a distraction, and she didn’t want the constant reminder of what she lost.
“I’ve got it covered. It’s all on here.” Kelly raised her tablet.
“I’m sure we can give him something.” Emily widened her eyes. “He can deal with the men’s suits. One less thing.” A wide smile spread across her face. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he won’t be in your way, and when it’s all over, maybe you two will get back together.” Her eyebrows jumped. “Wouldn’t that be something?”
Kelly put a hand on the base of her neck and swallowed. “It’s not going to happen,” she reassured. “He broke his promise, remember?”
Her friend didn’t understand. Brad broke her heart when he told her he didn’t want to get married and start a family when he knew all along; it was what she desired. How could he decide one day it wasn’t what he wanted? Out of fear and anger, Kelly retaliated, broke up with him, and didn’t realize how much it would hurt. As time passed, Kelly’s stubbornness prevented her from saying sorry, and from telling him, she made a mistake when she had to stand by what she believed. She still warred within herself if breaking up was the right thing to do, because deep down she was afraid she still loved him.
“Hey, Kel.” Brad’s six-foot, medium-build frame appeared catching her off guard.
Her heart sank, hearing his voice and seeing his handsome face, projecting the clean image she loved. Her insides rattled with annoyance though she couldn’t reveal it. Staying calm and carrying on was her best approach.
“Hey,” she said back. How long could she go before shutting Brad out entirely so she could date someone else? As upset as she was for breaking up with him, she told herself it was for the best because apparently she wasn’t good enough to marry.
“How have you been?” His question irritated her. He was only asking her because Emily was standing beside them. “Haven’t seen you around. Although I haven’t been hanging out with anyone either.” His shirt hugged his broad chest and shoulders. He raised his arms crossing them in front of his hard pecs.
“I’ve been busy,” she said, brushing him off.
“Great. Well, you have yourself an assistant.” He pulled his shoulders back and gave a lofty grin. “I’m here to help you with the wedding.”
“What do you mean, you’re my assistant?” she quibbled, darting her eyes at Emily and then at Brad. “I have Emily. Between the two of us, we’re good.” Kelly strained her eyes at Brad. “But thanks for wanting to be involved in the wedding plans.” She couldn’t help the roughness in her voice. Talking to Brad about weddings was still raw and brought back the bitterness of their argument.
“We’re a team, Kel. You and I.” He nodded as though listening to the beat of the music.
“Emily mentioned some things I could help with.” He clapped his hands.
“Yeah, Brad will be a big help,” Emily encouraged. “If we have some lifting to do or running errands, Brad doesn’t mind.” Her voice was innocent and kind, making Kelly feel guilty for shutting him out, but she couldn’t let Brad win this one. How was a guy who hated weddings and didn’t want one of his own going to help with the details? “I appreciate it. Thank you, but I’ve got everything under control.”
“I’m sure you do. You’re the most organized person I know, but I’m here to help.” The smile he sported was the one that knocked her off her feet, still did if she were willing to admit it.
“Yeah, well, that’s not necessary.”
“What’s on the agenda?” Catching her off guard with his question, she still needed to run through her list of to-dos.
“On the agenda?” Kelly cleared her throat.
“Give me something.” Brad rubbed his hands together. “You need a little muscle.” He flexed his bicep. “I’m your man.”
He used to be. Until he didn’t want her anymore.
Emily laughed, obviously amused at their exchange.
Kelly bit her lip to stop her from smiling. “Um, we don’t need you right now,” Kelly said, flicking her strands away from her face. “How about I call you when there’s a job to do?” She raised her chin, proud to have thought of a fair exchange when she knew she’d never call.
“There is a job,” Brad said with a pasted-on smile. If he was agitated, it didn’t show, never did. “I promised Mason I’d support them by helping. I’ll be fulfilling my groomsman duties.”
“They have me to help them,” Kelly shot back. “It’s what I’m here for, but if you need to know what the best man’s duties are, I can fill you in.”
“That’s not necessary,” Brad said confidently. “I made some notes.” He pulled out his phone from the back pocket of his jeans. “I’m here to help, not take over the wedding planner duties.”
“I’m not specifically a wedding planner,” Kelly corrected. “I’m an event planner.”
He shrugged. “Same thing.”
The back of her neck prickled.
“I think what Mason wants,” Emily interrupted. “And my idea too, is having our close friends here helping us make our day memorable and...I hate to say the word, but—” she paused and scrunched her nose. “Perfect.”
“You’re allowed to say it,” Kelly said. “It’s your day. If it were me, I’d want it to be perfect too.” She avoided Brad’s gaze. “That’s the expectations of weddings when you’re marrying the person you love.” She shot Brad a glance and returned her stare to Emily with a smile. “I’m aiming for perfection,” Kelly admitted. “I want your day to be the best day of your life. And Mason’s too, of course.” Her reputation was depending on it.
“And it will be.” The apple of Emily’s cheeks brightened. “As long as there’s sunshine.”
“The month of July is promising.” Kelly tapped her foot. “Let’s confirm the layout we talked about.”
“Okay. But first hear what Brad’s come up with,” Emily announced. “It’s awesome. I didn’t think there was going to be enough room for the ceremony and reception, but Brad thinks there will be.”
“Let’s hear it,” Kelly said, squeezing her lips together. She shifted her tablet in front of her and tapped on the folder she saved for Emily and Mason’s wedding. If her friend wanted her to listen to what this Bonafede bachelor’s ideas were then so be it.
