Chapter 13
His Best Friend's Wedding
Rachel stepped carefully off the carpet and onto the grass to the left of the double step into the gazebo. The three inch heels of the ill-fitting shoes dyed to match the dress didn't sink into parched turf and throw her off balance, thank the gods. However, the shoes exerted tortuous pressure on her blistered, swollen toes. The photos were worth the agony.
Twenty thousand dollars. The words ran though her mind like lyrics to the Bridal Chorus spilling from hidden speakers.
When she reached the precise location assigned in the previous day's rehearsal, she raised her chin and squinted across at the groomsmen. Ohhhh, mama. Mickey appeared as suavely debonair as Hugh Grant in Four Weddings and a Funeral, and even more distinguished thanks to Mickey's silver-threaded dark hair. His boutonniere consisted of an ivory rose nestled in spears of lavender, harmonizing with the white roses, lavender spears and delicate baby's breath in the bridesmaids' bouquets.
Bouquet! Her breath hitched.
The walk down the aisle had demanded utmost concentration, driving out all thoughts of the smartphone secretly stashed in her bouquet. She discretely dropped her gaze to inspect the bouquet. To her immense relief, a glint of the silver phone case confirmed that it remained camouflaged deep within the exquisite arrangement, camera at the ready. She ignored the self-reproach twisting her stomach.
Twenty thousand dollars. La, la la la. Twenty thousand dollars.
Mickey, in line on the opposite side of the carpet, caught her eye and grinned. At this crucial juncture, she'd much rather he watch the ceremony, not her. Lavender supposedly relieved stress. Rachel inhaled the pungent aroma wafting from the flowers in the bouquets and draped in garlands from the circular gazebo. A shaking forefinger delved between rose stems and into position by the shutter button.
Beside her, Tiffany and Asta assumed their positions to form one half of a V like Canada geese flying in formation. Candy grandly sashayed between the bridesmaids on one side and the groomsmen on the other. Mr. Kane air kissed his daughter's cheek and handed her off to Halden.
The bride and groom ascended the two steps into the gazebo, followed by Asta and Wade, Tiffany and Garth, and then finally herself and Mickey. On the platform the bridesmaids and groomsmen parted to reassemble on the bride and groom's sides, respectively. Candy transferred to Asta the satin-wrapped stems of her elaborate cascading bouquet of ivory roses, fluffy white peonies, iris, soft lavender and trailing vines.
Showtime.
The minister switched on his microphone and the members of the wedding party shuffled into forward-angled positions as rehearsed. Rachel rapidly assessed the angles and adjusted the position of her bouquet. To her amazement, the stars aligned, literally, presenting to her hidden camera an unobstructed view of Halden's lovesick expression as he regarded the beautiful woman at his side.
As practiced in the bathroom prior to the event, Rachel aimed the camera lens through a pre-arranged gap in the roses. She pressed the silent camera shutter button, capturing Halden's full face radiant grin of pure joy and Candy's adoring smile in profile.
Halden's eyes misted, then glossed swimming pool blue. Press.
A tear rolled like a boulder down one cheek. Press.
Woo-hoo! An intimate, emotional portrait of Apollo crying! The money shot!
Halden enfolded his bride's hand in his, and in unison they turned to face the pastor, their backs to the audience. And her camera.
YOU ARE READING
Caught on Camera
RomanceA contemporary romantic comedy, Caught on Camera is the first novel in the Hollywood in Muskoka Series. To achieve her dream of working on Hollywood film sets, star struck chambermaid Rachel Lehmann needs $35,000 for film school tuition by the end...
