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I looked up at the gray sky, hoping she was right. When I turned back to Arabella, Caspian and Rafferty had joined us by the entrance.
Arabella abruptly left, heading toward Stella and Iris.
“The bride and the maid of honor should be arriving any minute,” Caspian said. “Elliot, can you take Annie and Celesteinto my office? They’ll need a private spot before the ceremony starts.”
“How is she supposed to walk down the aisle if she has to come through the kitchen door?” Rafferty scrubbed his face with his hand. “Atticus can’t see her until it’s time. This blasted rain is ruining everything.”
I thought for a moment, mapping out the route in my mind. “Okay, here’s what we could do. She can enter the dining room from the kitchen and stop for a moment, then her dad will come forward and escort her to the back of the room and then when the processional starts, they can walk down the aisle properly.”
“In the meantime, we’ll make sure she has everything she needs,” Sammie said. “I left my makeup kit in the office just in case.”
“It’s not a proper bride’s room, but it will have to do,” Rafferty said. “This is not goingat allaccording to plan. First the doves, then the rain.”
“Don’t worry,” I said, trying to sound reassuring. “It’ll be a wonderful ceremony.”
“I’ll carry them into the kitchen,” Rafferty said. “Otherwise, their shoes will be ruined.”
“Good plan,” I said.
Sammie and I followed Rafferty into the back just as the limousine arrived, bringing the bride, Celeste, and Scout.
The limo driver exited the driver’s side and went around to open the passenger door. Annie ducked her head to look up at us.
My breath caught. She looked like a princess. Or maybe a queen.
“Rafferty, don’t look so worried. I’m intact,” Annie said. From behind her shoulder, Scout raised her head and wagged her tail. “See, Scout thinks everything’s fine.”
Celeste grimaced into a weak smile. “What would Scout know about weddings? She had her womanhood taken from her.”
“Are you all right?” I asked Celeste. “You look a little green.”
“She had too much to drink last night,” Annie said, sounding delighted. “In all the years I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her drink so much as a diet cola.”
“I’ll never do so again,” Celeste said, bringing a tissue to her mouth. “I’m just hoping the vomiting’s over.”
Rafferty leaned over to get a better look at her. “Celeste, you must not be sick during the ceremony. Do you understand me? Enough has gone wrong today.”
“I’ll do my best,” Celeste said weakly. “But do you think someone could get me some ginger ale and crackers?”
“I’ll get you some the minute we get inside,” I said.
Scout jumped off the seat and bounded from the car, landing under the awning out of the rain.
“Scout doesnothave a hangover and she’s ready to perform her duties.” Annie grinned and took hold of her long veil in one hand as she scooted to the edge of her seat. She looked like a character in a film in her sleeveless sheath gown and long veil. Her curly copper hair had been pulled back except for a few tendrils that framed her face. “I told her exactly what to do.”
“What to do?” I asked, instantly alarmed. From what I’d observed, Scout wasn’t a terribly obedient dog, despite her sweet face and fluffy black and white fur.
“She has the rings tied around her neck,” Annie said. “Rafferty’s going to take them from her when it’s time.”
Rafferty and I exchanged a worried glance. Scout better behave, or this whole thing could be even more of a disaster. I had an image of Scout taking off with the wedding bands and running outside, hoping for a muddy chase from the wedding party.
“Are we sure about Scout?” I asked, even though it was none of my business. “What if she decides it’s a fun game to bolt when it’s time for the rings to be exchanged?”
“That’s what I said.” Celeste wrung her hands. “But no one listened.”
“She’s too good a girl for that,” Annie said. “Anyway, it’s what Atticus and I want.”
As if she heard Annie, Scout barked in agreement before running into the restaurant.
