Chapter 391

I had to get away from Lana and the crowd. I ran out the side door and hurried to the pond pagoda.

Sitting on the bench, I wiped my eyes and looked out at the water. Moonlight was flickering in the tiny ripples from the warm night breeze.

I was sorry for what I’d said to Lana the second the words popped out of my mouth. She was only trying to help and deserved my respect.

But it seemed like all my friends and family had their own ideas of what my wedding should be like. It was making me crazy.

Like William and Penny. They knew I loved the lake, and I knew they meant well. Yet, the thought of getting married in shorts on the dock wasn’t what I wanted.

However, neither was a reception at the priciest country club in Denhurst, with food by the most expensive and traditional caterer in the area.

It was supposed to be my day. Why couldn’t I have it the way I wanted?

“Daisy,” Victor said as he appeared on the bridge to the pagoda. “I knew I’d find you here.”

His tone was kind. It made me cry a little more.

He crossed the bridge and sat next to me. “Mom told me you were upset and ran outside.”

“I’m sorry for snapping at her,” I said as I clung to his arm. “Everyone is telling me what our wedding should be like, but nobody has asked what we want.”

“It’s our wedding,” Victor said. “We get to choose. How bad have the suggestions been?”

“William and Penny think we should get married at the lake …and wear shorts.” I shuddered. “Your mother insists on their country club and using a caterer that I hate.”

“Say no, and blame it on me if you like,” Victor offered.

“Really?” I sat up straight and looked into his gorgeous blue eyes.

“Of course,” he laughed. “It’s part of a husband’s duty to take the blame for things. I use you as an excuse not to do things I don’t want to do.”

“Like what?” This was something I didn’t know about. My curiosity was piqued.

“Like go for drinks after work or fishing with a client,” he replied.

“Hmm. I didn’t know we could do that,” I said. “I’ll try it the next time somebody bosses me about the wedding.”

We cuddled and stared at the stars.

“Is your mom mad at me?” I asked. I hoped not. I cared about Lana a great deal. She was the closest thing to a mother that I had.

“She didn’t seem mad,” Victor assured me. “She was concerned about you when you burst into tears and ran away.”

“I’ll explain how we feel and what we want for our wedding,” I said.

“That would be great, sweetheart.” Victor kissed my hair. “She just wants to be a part of the planning.”

“Sure,” I said.

“By the way.” Victor turned toward me on the bench. “The realtor found an estate we should look at. I did a virtual tour. It looks like it could be the one.”

“When can we see it?” I asked. My spirits were soaring again. I should have known Victor would make everything better.

“Whenever you want,” he replied. He stood and took my hand. “Let’s get back to your party.”

“Okay,” I said. “I’ll apologize to Lana right away.”

“All I ask is to let her be a part of it,” Victor reminded me.

I entered the formal dining room and walked straight to Lana.

She smiled and opened her arms. “Are you alright, dear

I hugged her and tried to smile. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. I didn’t mean it.”

“Bridal nerves make every woman act strangely,” Lana assured me. “I understand perfectly. But don’t worry about a thing. Your wedding is going to be spectacular.”

I nodded, remembering my talk with Victor. “It’s been a long day, and I’m tired. Do you mind if we talk about it tomorrow?”

“Of course, dear,” Lana agreed. “Come for lunch tomorrow around one. I’ll have brochures from the club and sample menus from Pierre’s. His food is divine.”

I took a deep breath and tried to smile. “I’ll be there. But if you’ll excuse me, there are people I need to thank for coming tonight.”

“Of course,” Lana said.

I walked away, trying not to show how rattled I was. Victor said I had his support, but his reassuring words were fading in my mind.

Spotting Gisele talking to Cassidy, I began walking toward them. I could explain to Gisele what I wanted for my bridal gown so she could start designing it.

But somebody grabbed my arm before I got to them. It was William’s mother, Lily James.

“Oh, hello, Mrs. James,” I said politely. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, Daisy,” she replied. “I overheard William and Penny offer you the use of our cabin for your wedding.”

“They should have asked you, but don’t worry,” I said. “Victor isn’t interested in getting married there.”

“I should hope not,” Lily snorted. “Victor is a leader of The United Association of Alphas. You must forget about whatever silly ideas you have for such a wedding.”

I stared in shock as she continued her tirade. “You must honor Victor’s position in our society.”

She pulled me aside and lowered her voice. “You must have the ceremony at the Association.”

“I had planned on it,” I assured her.

“Excellent,” she said. Her eyes were shining strangely. “The  new chapel only holds two hundred people, so only the cream of society can be invited to the ceremony.”

“Two hundred people,” I repeated. “At the ceremony.” No way. That’s way too big. “Um, I don’t know about that many people at the ceremony. Victor wants a small wedding.”

“Oh no.” Lily looked at me with narrowed eyes. “A small ceremony simply won’t do. And you must book Moon Glow for the reception. If they close the restaurant to the public, it will hold two hundred.”

I began to argue. “Moon Glow is a great restaurant, but I don’t think…”

“I’m sure I can get the owner to rent the entire place to you and Victor, but it won’t be cheap,” Lily said. “But this is much too important of an event to quibble over the cost.”

I had to get away from Mrs. James before I said something I shouldn’t.

“I’ll discuss it with Victor and get back to you,” I said.

“Don’t wait too long, Daisy,” Lily insisted. “Your wedding must be the event of the year.”

“Excuse me, I must speak to Cassidy.” I walked away before she said anything else.

Cassidy saw me coming toward her and smiled. “Daisy, I was just telling Gisele about the vintage idea for your wedding. If you don’t want to wear your mother's dress, she can design one that everyone will swear is an antique.”

My brain froze as anger welled up inside me. Why was everyone trying to hijack the planning of my wedding?

“They are trying to help,” Dianna said. “Calm down before you say something to cause hard feelings with your father.”

Diana was right. I swallowed hard and realized my hands were curled into fists. I forced myself to relax and nodded politely.

“I will visit your shop next week to discuss my gown,” I told Gisele. “Victor and I haven’t decided on the theme of our wedding.”

“But the vintage idea would be wonderful,” Cassidy argued.

“Maybe you should save it for your wedding someday,” I suggested. “I mean, since you love it so much, you should save it for when you get married.”

“Oh, no,” Cassidy said. “Alex wouldn’t like it. It wouldn’t suit us at all.”

“Excuse me.” I spun around and rolled my eyes. “I see someone I must thank for coming tonight.”

I took a few steps and spotted Heather Woodward. She was standing by herself next to Brendre’s playpen, cooing at the baby.

Joining her, I gazed at the baby and felt that rush of love that made all my other emotions calm down.

It didn’t last.

“I heard you and Victor set the date for your wedding,” Heather said.

“Yep,” I confirmed. “Watch your mail for an invitation.”

“Have you considered having it at the shelter?” Heather asked. “The publicity would be fantastic, and you could charge thousands for each plate at the reception and donate it to our new educational program.”

I was speechless. Unable to take any more wedding suggestions, I excused myself and left the room.

Nobody asked me before throwing their idea of the perfect wedding in my face. They didn’t care what I wanted.

Running to my room, I grabbed my keys. I couldn’t think about anything other than my need to escape from everyone.

I rushed downstairs and outside, climbed into my truck, and drove away.