Recovery team, could just relax and enjoy.
As they entered the great room, Victoria’s breath caught. The decorator had outdone himself. Despite the rustic lodge setting, the white satin bows and the elaborate flower arrangements added the perfect element of bridal glamour. White candles flickered amid bowls of what looked like pearls. Yet it was the bride and groom-to-be who positively glowed as they chatted with Levi’s mother near the massive stone fireplace.
Casey spotted them and hurried over. After a quick hug and an admiring examination of Victoria’s new bracelet, she turned to Lucas. “Have you heard from Uncle Thomas?” Her bright smile dimmed just a little. “He hasn’t called Mom or me.”
“His plane landed on time,” Lucas assured her. “He considered hoofing in on a pair of cross-country skis, but I told him to stay in Denver tonight.”
“There’s an image,” Casey said with a quick laugh. “I just expected him to call me when he landed.”
Though she doubted anyone else noticed, Victoria saw the brief flicker of surprise in Lucas’s eyes.
“With this kind of storm the networks must be swamped and there are probably localized power outages already.” Lucas wrapped an arm around the bride’s shoulder, guiding her back into the party. “No reason to worry. The roads will be clear enough for him to travel tomorrow.”
Casey took a deep breath and smiled as Levi joined them. “Uncle Thomas is safe in Denver,” she told her husband-to-be.
“That’s great news.” Levi was clearly relieved, as well. “The weathercasters say this monster storm will be long gone by our wedding day.”
As the delighted couple drifted off to chat with other guests, Victoria gave Lucas a pointed look. He’d gone way overboard in his assurances. Something was up.
“Would you like some wine?”
“Chardonnay, please,” she answered. “But that won’t distract me from wondering what you’re up to.”
“Terrible to waste good wine and good company worrying over what can’t be changed.”
She shrugged a shoulder and turned on a bright smile. “You’ll tell me eventually.”
Though he’d been surprised by Thomas’s lack of communication with his niece, Victoria knew her husband well enough to know he wasn’t particularly worried about his friend. Come to think of it, he wasn’t the sort of man one worried about. Thomas Casey was James Bond personified. There was little he couldn’t overcome with a roll of duct tape and a toothpick.
Lucas cleared his throat. “In the meantime, we’re snowbound in a beautiful chalet with good food and people who love each other. I, for one, intend to enjoy it thoroughly.”
With a glass of wine in her hand, Victoria visited with the bride’s mother, listened to the bride and bridesmaids’ adventures in shopping and planning for the big day and kept a keen eye on her husband.
She wasn’t sure if she should be grateful or worried for the storm’s interference with the cell service. It was nice to relax and focus on the life and promise bustling around her, but semi-retirement or not, she was accustomed to staying in contact with the world.
When the resort opened up the dining room for dinner, Lucas appeared at her side. As with the rest of the arrangements and activities so far, everyone seemed delighted and happy. Again, the decorations were well-done. The lovely touches of white reflected the winter wonderland outside.
Victoria was pleased to see Casey and Levi relaxed, but she caught the telltale look in her husband’s eyes. “You’re thinking about Thomas.”
“Only that it’s a shame he’s stuck in a hotel room missing this.”
“Well, the food is definitely better than any room service he might order tonight.”
“So’s the Scotch,” Lucas said with a wave of his glass. “How is the bride?”
“I’d say she’s managing her nerves. Levi and her friends are keeping her distracted. Her mother is steady as ever.”
“She’s had a
As they entered the great room, Victoria’s breath caught. The decorator had outdone himself. Despite the rustic lodge setting, the white satin bows and the elaborate flower arrangements added the perfect element of bridal glamour. White candles flickered amid bowls of what looked like pearls. Yet it was the bride and groom-to-be who positively glowed as they chatted with Levi’s mother near the massive stone fireplace.
Casey spotted them and hurried over. After a quick hug and an admiring examination of Victoria’s new bracelet, she turned to Lucas. “Have you heard from Uncle Thomas?” Her bright smile dimmed just a little. “He hasn’t called Mom or me.”
“His plane landed on time,” Lucas assured her. “He considered hoofing in on a pair of cross-country skis, but I told him to stay in Denver tonight.”
“There’s an image,” Casey said with a quick laugh. “I just expected him to call me when he landed.”
Though she doubted anyone else noticed, Victoria saw the brief flicker of surprise in Lucas’s eyes.
“With this kind of storm the networks must be swamped and there are probably localized power outages already.” Lucas wrapped an arm around the bride’s shoulder, guiding her back into the party. “No reason to worry. The roads will be clear enough for him to travel tomorrow.”
Casey took a deep breath and smiled as Levi joined them. “Uncle Thomas is safe in Denver,” she told her husband-to-be.
“That’s great news.” Levi was clearly relieved, as well. “The weathercasters say this monster storm will be long gone by our wedding day.”
As the delighted couple drifted off to chat with other guests, Victoria gave Lucas a pointed look. He’d gone way overboard in his assurances. Something was up.
“Would you like some wine?”
“Chardonnay, please,” she answered. “But that won’t distract me from wondering what you’re up to.”
“Terrible to waste good wine and good company worrying over what can’t be changed.”
She shrugged a shoulder and turned on a bright smile. “You’ll tell me eventually.”
Though he’d been surprised by Thomas’s lack of communication with his niece, Victoria knew her husband well enough to know he wasn’t particularly worried about his friend. Come to think of it, he wasn’t the sort of man one worried about. Thomas Casey was James Bond personified. There was little he couldn’t overcome with a roll of duct tape and a toothpick.
Lucas cleared his throat. “In the meantime, we’re snowbound in a beautiful chalet with good food and people who love each other. I, for one, intend to enjoy it thoroughly.”
With a glass of wine in her hand, Victoria visited with the bride’s mother, listened to the bride and bridesmaids’ adventures in shopping and planning for the big day and kept a keen eye on her husband.
She wasn’t sure if she should be grateful or worried for the storm’s interference with the cell service. It was nice to relax and focus on the life and promise bustling around her, but semi-retirement or not, she was accustomed to staying in contact with the world.
When the resort opened up the dining room for dinner, Lucas appeared at her side. As with the rest of the arrangements and activities so far, everyone seemed delighted and happy. Again, the decorations were well-done. The lovely touches of white reflected the winter wonderland outside.
Victoria was pleased to see Casey and Levi relaxed, but she caught the telltale look in her husband’s eyes. “You’re thinking about Thomas.”
“Only that it’s a shame he’s stuck in a hotel room missing this.”
“Well, the food is definitely better than any room service he might order tonight.”
“So’s the Scotch,” Lucas said with a wave of his glass. “How is the bride?”
“I’d say she’s managing her nerves. Levi and her friends are keeping her distracted. Her mother is steady as ever.”
“She’s had a
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