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She poked her husband in the chest. “After all the work I have done to plan this wedding, you have the nerve to disrespect this family like that. I’m going to be kind and chalk it up to stress, overwork, and one too many cocktails, which is the reason we’re taking a vacation. And for the life of me, Edward Taylor, we’re going where I say we’re going.”
Beneath Rory’s lingering shock, a faint respect for Joanna Taylor began to form.
“As I was saying, the Harvest Festival looks delightful.” Joanna smiled as she swept back toward them. She scrolled on her phone. “Music, hayrides, a parade, arts and crafts…why, there’s even a pie contest. How quaint. No elephants, but I suppose you can’t have everything. I did rather have my heart set on Bali, but it’s not too late to change our plans.”
Grant gave a strained smile that came out more like a grimace. “Mom, the inn and the B&Bs are booked for the festival. There’s nowhere for you to stay.”
“Well, that’s not a problem at all.” Joanna blinked. “Didn’t you say there’s a cottage behind your little tavern? We’ll stay there.”
Rory tried not to groan aloud. Edward grunted a noise of irritation and took out his phone.
“You’d hate staying in the cottage.” Grant shook his head. “It doesn’t even have a full kitchen.”
“Perfect! It’ll be like camping.”
“You’ve never camped, Mom.”
“Well, it’s about time I did, isn’t it?” Joanna looked up at her husband again, eyes sparkling. “It sounds like fun. We can get a quilt and roast marshmallows in the fireplace. Won’t that be romantic, Edward? I’ll text Simon to make the changes in our itinerary.”
“I’m sure we can find you somewhere else to stay.” A hint of desperation edged Grant’s voice.
“I won’t hear of it. I insist on staying in the cottage.”
“One week.” Edward pulled his heavy eyebrows together. “That’s all I’m agreeing to.”
“With your delightful company, I’m sure that’s all the rest of us will be able to handle.” Joanna gave his lapel a sharp tug. “I’d strongly suggest you get into a second honeymoon mentality, Edward.”
“With you at my side, what choice do I have?” He pinched her cheek.
A flush rose to her face as she suppressed a smile. Edward winked at her and strode toward the bar. Joanna turned back to Grant and Rory.
“We’ll plan to drive down on Wednesday,” she announced. “You can show us around, and we’ll go to all the festival events, and maybe we can even get tickets to a show at the local theater or whatever. All right?”
Grant dragged a hand through his hair, tightening his fingers around the thick strands as if he were ready to pull them out.
“Well played, Mom,” he muttered. “Very well played.”
“Drive safely on your trip back.” Joanna gave them a bright smile. “I’ll send you all the details of our visit tomorrow. This is going to be so much fun!”
“Fun,” Grant remarked, “is not the word I would use.”
With a little wave, Joanna returned to the party in a sweep of taffeta.
As she watched the other woman depart, Rory shook her head with a combination of disbelief and grudging respect. “Damn.”
“That’s not the word I would use either,” Grant said darkly as he strode toward the coat check. “But you got the four-letter part right.”
