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EPILOGUE
LYNDI
Valentine’s Day was a big day at Starlight Manor. For the last few years, Aria had hosted a gorgeous, five-course dinner party on the romantic evening, and many local couples made it an annual tradition. As the venue’s main photographer, I got a front-row seat to the lovey-dovey action.
“Beautiful,” I said to the couple seated in front of me, snapping a few quick pics with my new Nikon. “I’ll email it tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
They thanked me and went back to their conversation, so I turned toward another couple to ask if they’d like their photo taken.
A waving hand caught my eye from a few tables away. “Lyndi, over here.”
Smiling, I walked over to where Trevor sat at a table alone. Starlight’s head groundskeeper had never ditched his coveralls for one of our events before, so when he and Jo had first arrived, I’d been shocked to see him all dressed up. Obviously, he was off-limits, since he was taken by my future brother-in-law’s sister. But I couldn’t deny that the guy cleaned up nicely.
“Hey,” I said when I approached. “Want me to take your photo when Jo gets back?”
“Actually, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind doing a little recon.”
“Recon?”
“Yeah. Maybe you can hide behind a tree or something and then take pics while I propose. Figure it might be cool to look back on later.”
My eyes bulged and I looked around the courtyard, making sure she wasn’t near. “What?You’re proposing tonight?”
“Yep. I planned to wait longer, but it just feels right.”
“Wow, I’m so happy for you guys. Of course I’ll take photos. Are you doing it here at the table?”
He cringed. “No, I’m not really looking for that kind of attention. I was thinking we’d go over to the pond.”
“Okay, well I’ll keep my eye out. When I see you guys leave, I’ll sneak over there so I can capture the moment.”
“Thanks. Oh, shh, she’s coming.”
I waited until Jo arrived so it wouldn’t look weird for me to zip away like I was up to something, then I held up my camera. “Want a photo?”
“Sure,” she said, sitting down and adjusting her hair. She reached out and took Trevor’s hand across the table and they both smiled up at me.
“Great,” I said, clicking away. “I’ll email it over tomorrow. Enjoy your meal.”
After stopping by a few more tables, I figured it was a good time for a break. I’d already taken shots of most of the diners, and since there were still three courses left, I knew I’d have plenty of time to capture them all.
“You know,” I said as I sidled up to my sister’s table and grinned at her and Zac, “they really should still put extra chairs at these tables. Does every table have to be a table for two?”
Layla raised a brow. “Yes, because it’s Valentine’s Day. If there were extra chairs, someone’s bored sister might come up and start stealing bites of food and lurking.”
“That would be terrible,” I replied, reaching down and plucking a blueberry from her salad. I popped it in my mouth and sighed like I was in heaven.
“Case in point,” Layla muttered at Zac, who only laughed.
“I won’t lurk, I promise. I just came by to say hi. What were you guys talking about?”
“Wedding stuff,” Zac replied. “We were discussing who’d be in our bridal party, so your ears were probably burning.”
“Oh yeah? Did I make the cut?”
“You did,” my sister smirked. “Along with Shelby and Aria, of course. But we’re having some trouble filling up the groomsmen spots because this guy isn’t a man of many friends.”
“Hey, easy, now. I’ve been a little busy being a single dad, remember?”
