As she tore out of the barn, she vowed to forget what happened between her and Zane.
Like you were going to forget your first kiss? Good luck with that. You might as well try to forget your name. You might succeed at that.
Thankfully, after the saddle incident, McKenna stayed busy the rest of the afternoon and at the rehearsal dinner to keep her amorous thoughts of Zane from consuming her. Having a room full of people helped her retain a professional perspective, too. But that didn’t mean working with him wasn’t awkward. Boy was it, especially when he arrived at dinner dressed in a navy suit, white shirt, and maroon tie. Her breath hitched at how handsome he looked.
Throughout the night, he offered assistance, often before she asked. When she requested he unclog the kitchen sink, he gave her a raised eyebrow look, but never voiced any disagreement. He further shocked her with his reactions to the women vying for his attention. While he flirted, his behavior remained within what she considered appropriate.
The next day, confident she’d handle working well with Zane today, too, McKenna scanned First Presbyterian Church’s sanctuary looking for anything out of place needing her attention. White and burlap ribbons with a sprig of baby’s breath adorned the pews. The unity candle stood waiting near the altar. Arrangements of white and red roses resided tastefully on the altar. After the ceremony and taking pictures here, the wedding party would head to Lucky Stars for more pictures before the reception.
Comfortable nothing needed tweaking, McKenna reviewed her iPad wedding checklist again before the couple and attendants arrived. Doing so revealed she hadn’t checked off the singer’s arrival. What? The woman should be here warming up. McKenna grabbed her phone and called. When Jennifer answered, her heart sank. The gravelly, barely audible voice told McKenna everything she needed to know. “Oh, dear, Jennifer, you don’t sound well.”
“I woke like this. I don’t feel bad, but I sound horrible. I’ve tried everything I can think of. Warm tea with honey. A neti pot. Gargling. Lots of gargling, but nothing’s helped.” Then Jennifer said her phone had died, taking McKenna’s cell number with it. She’d called the office, but feared McKenna wouldn’t get the message.
“That’s why I sent one with Martin. Didn’t he tell you I couldn’t make it?” Jennifer said, referring to her accompanist.
“Unfortunately, he’s not here yet.” McKenna made a mental note to contact him next.
“I called everyone I knew to find a replacement, but they’re either sick, booked, or have plans they can’t change. I’m sorry.”
McKenna asked who Jennifer had called to avoid duplicating her efforts and told her to take care. Her mind scrambling and already working the problem, McKenna called the accompanist and discovered he’d had car trouble but was on his way. He also assured her he had beautiful piano arrangements of the songs Jennifer was to sing.
But how would the change impact the brides’ feelings about their wedding? Having “Oh, Promise Me” sung during the ceremony meant so much to Katharine and Rainy. The song had been sung at Rainy’s parents’ and grandparents’ wedding. When her parents renewed their vows on the fiftieth anniversary, the ceremony included the song again. The lyrics had touched Katharine and Rainy so deeply they selected the song as well. How would not having those precious lyrics sung during the service affect them?
Like other brides, as little girls, Katharine and Rainy dreamed of their wedding day. But somewhere in adolescence they realized their childhood fantasy would never become real. Growing up gay, they feared they’d never be granted the right to marry. Because of that, many of the choices other couples rushed through became poignant for this couple. Every selection and decision became an event to be savored. For McKenna, seeing the couple’s joy as their vision for their wedding develop had been one of the best experiences of her career.
Determined to find a replacement and give this couple their perfect day with the song they’d chosen, McKenna called her wedding singer contacts. Five minutes later, she’d come up empty, having run into the same issues Jennifer had. In desperation, she even called the reception band’s lead singer, but he wasn’t familiar with the songs.
Out of options and time, she texted Zane to join her in the sanctuary. When he arrived, her heart pitter-pattered faster at the sight of him. She’d thought he looked amazing last night, but today? What described way beyond amazing? His dark charcoal suit paired with a black shirt buttoned completely accentuated his tanned, blond good looks, making her light-headed.
“You need help?”
She sure did. She needed help keeping her mind on the wedding details.
Shaking herself mentally, she focused on the problem at hand and shared the bad news. “I’ve called everyone I can think of. Singers are booked, sick with the virus that’s going around or have other plans.” She handed him her tablet containing her singer contacts. “Can you think of anyone else?”
After scanning the list, he said, “I can think of one.”
“Wonderful. Who is it?” She waved her hand through the air in dismissal, excitement surging through her over the hope of not disappointing Katharine and Rainy. “I don’t care who it is. Call.”
“I don’t need to. She’s standing right here.”
McKenna collapsed onto the nearby pew. “No. You can’t mean me.”
He nodded.
“I can’t. I’m not a professional singer. I haven’t sung since I was in an a cappella group in college.”
“Do you know the songs?”
“Yes, but it doesn’t matter because I can’t sing in front of people.”
Zane pointed behind them and up. “This is an old church with a balcony. You’d be singing in back of everyone. No one would see you unless they turn around.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” she snapped, frustration over his sarcastic response filling her voice. She paused, inhaling and exhaling slowly as she counted to ten. “I can’t sing in public where people can hear me.”
“You have an incredible voice. When I heard you, you were singing a cappella. That’s more difficult than with an accompanist. You can do this.”
Too bad Erin didn’t get your beautiful voice. With her looks and your voice, she could’ve been a star.
