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“And some flowers for your mother, of course,” Claire said. “Someone mentioned Susan is walking you down the aisle?”
“I asked her,” Amanda said, “but she said she wants to think about it. I don’t think she wants to push my father out of the limelight if you can believe it.”
“Oh gosh. Well, what do you think about that?” Claire wasn’t sure what to say, although Amanda knew that every Sheridan had very little respect for Richard Harris.
“I think I’d better clear this up with my mother,” Amanda said.
“Do,” Claire urged her. “I need to know exactly what kind of floral arrangement your mother needs, given her role in the ceremony. It’s four days away, Amanda!”
Amanda assured Claire she’d clear everything up soon, then got off the phone, finished her sandwich, and retreated back to her office for another few hours of work. En route, she paused outside Susan’s office and waved.
Susan raised her finger as she finished a conversation with someone over the phone. “I have no interest in representing Franklin Butler. I’ve told you that numerous times.”
Amanda raised her eyebrows, impressed. Franklin Butler was the once-famed billionaire of Martha’s Vineyard, who was now infamous due to his manipulation of women like Mandy Dolores, who’d gone missing that spring. Luckily, Mr. Butler’s outrageous acts hadn’t resulted in any casualties. Still, he had stabbed Isabella’s boyfriend along the way.
When Susan got off the phone, she shook her head. “I don’t see why that man won’t catch a hint. All I’ve done, over and over, is tell his people that I don’t care to represent him.”
“He knows you would get him a decreased sentence,” Amanda said, leaning through the doorway.
“I have no interest in helping him.” Susan’s face was marred with worry before she lifted her eyes and righted her smile. “Can I help you with something, honey?”
Amanda said she wanted to have dinner with her mother that evening if Susan had the time. Susan all-but sang with excitement.
“I can’t believe the bride has time for me this week! Somebody, pinch me.”
At five-thirty sharp, Susan and Amanda walked to a little wine bar in downtown Oak Bluffs with a view of the water and sat together over the menu, trying to figure out which white wine suited them that evening. As Susan studied the menu, her eyes focused, Amanda swam with nostalgia. It felt as though everything in this week glittered with emotion, as though she was seeing it with these eyes for the last time.
Susan and Amanda ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio, pecorino cheese, and green olives, telling the waiter they’ll order dinner later. As they settled into their seats overlooking the water, Amanda finally got up the nerve to ask her mother the question on her mind.
“Mom? Remember how you said you weren’t sure you should walk me down the aisle? That you didn’t want to step on Dad’s toes?”
Susan turned her head slightly. “I remember.”
“Well, the thing is, I never asked Dad,” Amanda continued, feeling strangely nervous, as though she’d done something wrong. “And I’m still pretty set on you walking me down.”
Susan closed her eyes for a moment, as though she was overwhelmed. Amanda laced her fingers through her mother’s, waiting.
“I mean, only if you really don’t mind,” Amanda said again.
When Susan opened her eyes again, they glinted with tears. “Oh, honey. It would be my greatest privilege. I just didn’t want you to regret anything.”
“Why would I regret you walking me down the aisle?” Amanda asked.
“I always thought you were rooted in traditional ways. Always thought you wanted to do everything by the book,” Susan tried. “You used to cry when our routines weren’t exactly right when you were a kid.”
“Nothing about my life the past few years has been by the book,” Amanda pointed out. “And I’ve preferred it that way.”
Susan’s smile widened.
“Trust me. I’m just as surprised as you are about that,” Amanda said.
“If you really don’t mind, I’d love to walk you down the aisle,” Susan breathed. “It will be the greatest privilege of my life.”
ChapterEight
Wednesday morning at the Aquinnah Cliffside Overlook Hotel, Kelli did a final look-through of Sandra’s resume to see that she had sufficient training in hotel management and past experience to allow Kelli to make her a sort of middle-manager. She then called both Piper and Sandra into her office to happily announce that she wanted to give them both promotions.
Across the desk, Piper and Sandra sat with beautiful, twenty-something smiles, both eager to move up the ranks at this brand-new, exclusive hotel.
