Always the Best Man (18 page)

Marriage and motherhood hadn't changed Cassidy. The hairstylist wore a bright blue skirt with an animal-print tank. The bold pairing eased Sylvie's trepidation about her own outfit.

Though Cassidy was married to a prominent pediatrician, from what Sylvie knew of the woman's background, it mirrored her own humble beginnings.

After an exuberant greeting, Cassidy looped her arm through Sylvie's on the walk to the house, asking if she'd brought a cake to the barbecue.

“No cake, but I whipped up a batch of cupcake burgers.” Even though Poppy, the hostess, had insisted she didn't need to bring anything, Sylvie had dropped off the novelty treats earlier in the afternoon.

She'd told Poppy it was so she didn't have to bring them with her tonight. The truth was, delivering the promised treats early had left the door open to skipping the party.

Cassidy's husband, Tim, dressed conservatively in khakis and a navy polo, cocked his head. “Cupcake burgers? Sounds like something Esther and Ellyn would enjoy.”

Esther and Ellyn were Tim's twin girls from his first marriage. A widower, Tim had raised the girls alone until he and Cassidy had married last year.

“I bet they'd love 'em. They sound so unique and fun.” Cassidy tapped a finger against her lips. “Are cupcake burgers difficult to make?”

“Super easy. You start with vanilla cupcakes and a tray of brownies.” As they covered the short distance to the porch, Sylvie explained how she cut circles of brownies for the burger and used colored frosting for the mustard, ketchup and lettuce wedged between the vanilla cupcake “bun.”

“You're amazingly talented.” The sincerity in Cassidy's voice had warmth flooding Sylvie's heart, even before the stylist added, “Not to mention you look absolutely stunning tonight.”

The simple compliment was the confidence booster Sylvie needed as Poppy opened the door. Despite being seven months pregnant with baby number two, the hostess looked elegant in gray linen. She greeted them warmly, giving each of them a quick hug.

Sylvie lost Cassidy and Tim on her way to the back patio. She'd expected to see a grill or two, maybe several picnic tables and a few lawn chairs. Instead an outdoor barbecue “kitchen” embellished with stone accents was the focal point of the large patio. Tea lights hung on brightly colored ribbons from thick branches of leafy trees that provided an umbrella of green.

A pergola extended over an outdoor kitchen bar, where the buffet had been set up. Bouquets of brightly colored flowers sat amid a multitude of decorative bowls filled with a variety of salads. Sylvie spotted her cupcakes with the other desserts. The nearly empty baking-sheet-turned-decorative-fabric-tray told her the cupcakes were a hit.

Benedict and his father, John, manned the grill, which filled the air with the delicious scent of roasting meat. Poppy seemed to be the official greeter while her mother-in-law, Dori, was making sure everyone had a drink and mingled. Unlike parties where hired help did the serving, this barbecue appeared to be a family effort.

Sylvie accepted something called a Crazy Coyote Margarita from Dori, then caught sight of the bride-to-be across the yard chatting animatedly with several women. Josie saw her at the same moment and motioned her over. The excited smile on her friend's face told Sylvie that coming to the party this evening had been the right decision.

With a spring in her step, Sylvie stepped off the flagstone patio and onto the lush green grass. She had paused to take a sip of her drink when the back of her neck began to prickle.

An instant later, a hand closed around her arm and a familiar masculine scent washed over her.

“Hello, Sylvie.”

She turned and stared into the brilliant gray eyes of Andrew O'Shea.

Copyright © 2016 by Cynthia Rutledge

ISBN-13: 9781488002625

Always the Best Man

Copyright © 2016 by Michelle Major

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