Mistaken Gifts by Elena Aitken Read Free Book Online

crouching down in front of a fallen log, with a cluster of holly berries growing in a small bush beneath it.  
    A pop of red. It was perfect. With her phone, Eva snapped a quick picture of the plant before attempting to pick the prickly little sprig.  
    She should have known better. After all, it wasn’t the first time she’d seen holly. But Eva was too excited to use caution and in return was rewarded with the sting of the prickly leaves as it bit into her flesh.  
    "Ow. Dammit." She put her finger to her mouth and sucked on the cut for a second. When the initial shock subsided, she attempted to pick it again, this time using more caution. Eva was able to snap the little branch and pull away the sprig of berries. She stood from her crouch and admired her find. They were perfect and she could hardly believe she hadn’t thought of it before. The berries were exactly what she needed. But she would need a whole lot more than one little sprig to adorn all the centerpieces. Someone would have to know where she could get more. If there was one plant nearby, there was bound to be more.  
    Re-energized, Eva picked her way through the snow and back to the path. It was next to impossible to run in the clunky boots, but she managed a fast walk and headed straight to the Lodge where she could put together a sample centerpiece to show Andi when they met for breakfast. With any luck, she’d be able to put something together right away so she could get at least one thing crossed off her list.
    ~ ~
    "I’m not sitting next to your mother and her…her friend," Andi’s father said at the same moment Eva came upon the table.
    Running late for their breakfast date, it looked as if Andi had found a replacement, but she didn’t look happy about it. Eva slid into the seat next to her friend. "Sorry I’m late," she said. "Mr. Williams, it’s nice to see you again." Eva smiled her most dazzling smile at him. The one she reserved for problematic clients. Andi shot her a look of gratitude and turned back to her cup of tea.  
    "Eva," Mr. Williams said. "It’s lovely to see you again, dear. But I have to ask, are you in charge of the seating arrangement? Because Andi’s telling me it can’t be changed and I have to tell you, I’m not sitting next to my ex-wife and her…her partner. It just won’t do. How can I explain that to the boys?"
    Eva caught the waitress’ attention and had her coffee cup filled before calmly answering him. "A wedding is a celebration of love, don’t you agree, Mr. Williams?"  
    He nodded.  
    "And Bonnie and Val are in love, just as you and Roxanne are. So my suggestion to you would be, if the boys ask, which I’m not sure they would since five-year-old boys aren’t known for their interest in adult relationships, you simply tell them that all of Andi’s parents are happy and involved in loving relationships and you all wish that for Andi and Colin as well. But as I said, I doubt very much the question will come up."  
    Andi flicked a smile in Eva’s direction, but both of them remained serious.  
    "But—"
    "Dad," Andi interrupted. "It means a lot that you are all willing to be here for me, and I would love it if I could have all my family sitting together. As you know, it’s not a very big place and the wedding is really quite small. It seems silly to have you all spread out in the room."
    "And it really would throw everything off as far as the seating arrangements go," Eva chimed in. "I’m sure you agree, Mr. Williams, there are far more important details to take care of for the wedding. Especially with it only being days away." Eva smiled sweetly and stirred some sugar into her coffee.  
    Andi’s dad cleared his throat and took the napkin from his lap. "Yes," he said. "You’re both absolutely right. I’m sure the seating arrangement will be fine. As long as it’s okay with Bonnie, it will be fine with me."  
    "I’m sure Mom will be okay with it," Andi said. "But Roxanne?" she asked,