Bride Quartet Collection by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online

individually. That’ll help. And we can just hold the date for now, and you can sign the contract later.”
    “I’d really like to sign today, just to get that checked off the list. There’s so much. Just an opinion, Carter, that’s all.”
    “Why don’t you take a look at the options?” Smiling, Parker handed him a binder, opened to the section on packages. “Meanwhile, Sherry, have you decided between a band or a DJ?”
    “DJ. We thought it’d be looser, and we could work with him or her, I guess, on the playlist. Do you know anybody good?”
    “I do.” Out of another folder, Parker pulled a business card.
    “He’s done a lot of events here, and I think he’ll suit you. Give him a call. Videographer?”
    On the sofa, Carter pulled out his reading glasses, frowned down at the packages.
    So serious, Mac thought. And the nerd sex quotient telescoped up with the wire-rim glasses. He actually looked like a guy studying for an exam. Since Parker and Sherry had their heads together, she decided to give him a break.
    “Hey, Carter, maybe you can help me get some more coffee.” He blinked up at her, blue eyes framed in dull silver wire. “Bring the binder, okay?”
    She picked up the pretty coffeepot, strolled to the doorway to wait for him. He had to skirt around the coffee table and, she noted, barely missed rapping his shin on it.
    “Rest of the team can handle it from here,” she told him. “Your sister figures since you’re big brother, and standing in for the groom, she needs your input. Which, I also figure, she’ll kick to the curb if it doesn’t jibe with what she wants.”
    “Okay,” he said as they walked back to the kitchen. “Can I just close my eyes and put my finger on the menu here, be done with it?”
    “You could. But what you should do is tell her you think Number Three works best.”
    “Number Three.” He laid the binder on the kitchen counter, adjusted his glasses, then read the description. “Why, particularly?”
    “Because while it’s very inclusive—and I get the sense she wants somebody else to deal with the fine details—it leaves room for upgrading, and gives her a number of options inside the package. You should also tell her to pick the buffet over the plated meal in that package. Because,” she said before he could ask, “it’s more informal, gives more opportunity for mixing. It suits her. Then, down the road—when you’re out of it, she’ll meet with Laurel about the cake—flavors, design, size, and all that, and Emma about the flowers. Parker handles the rest, and believe me when I tell you she handles. Right now it’s all so big. Once she nails the package, seeing as she’s already got the dress, the venue, me, and so on, she’ll be able to think about the rest of it.”
    “Okay.” He nodded. “Okay, so I tell her go with Number Three. It covers a lot of the details, has room for upgrading. It has a lot of options included. And she should take the buffet because it’s friendlier, and encourages mixing.”
    “You’re good.”
    “Absorbing facts and text is easy. If she asks me to help her decide on bouquets, I’m bolting.”
    “I respect that.” She handed him the coffeepot. “They don’t need me at this point. Take this back, say your piece. And remind her to let me know what dates work for the engagement portrait.”
    “You’re not coming back with me?”
    He looked a little panicked. She gave him a quick pat on the cheek. “Bright side. One less woman in the mix. I’ll see you around, Carter.”
    He stood where he was a moment as she walked out, and left him with the coffee and the binder.

CHAPTER THREE

    S KIPPING OUT A LITTLE EARLY GAVE MAC ENOUGH TIME TO answer calls, log in appointments, then add a selection of the latest photos to the website. Since the rest of the afternoon—what was left of it—was free, she decided to spend it doing a last pass of the New Year’s Eve wedding shots.
    The phone annoyed her, but she reminded