Through a Magnolia Filter (18 page)

“No one disses my children.”

Another laugh rolled out of Dolley.

This time everyone in the room turned.

“What's going on over there?” Bess demanded.

“Nothing.” Dolley wiped a tear from her eye. “Mamma broke her own rule.”

Mamma shook her head.

Dolley pointed her finger at her mother. “You used slang.”

“Mamma!” Abby put her hands on her hips, glancing at Liam. “We do not use slang around guests.”

Liam slapped a hand to his chest. “Don't blame me. I don't even know what that word means.”

“To show disrespect. Often by insults or criticism,” Dolley blurted out.

Horror filled Daniel's face. “Did you memorize the dictionary?”

Liam tapped his temple. “Photographic memory.”

Now everyone laughed. Well, Liam only grinned, but that was like a rolling belly laugh from him.

She headed over to plant a kiss on his lips.

Before she could move, Abby called out, “Let's eat.”

Dolley slipped into the seat next to Liam.

He took her hand and it felt right. She leaned in. “I'm glad you're here.”

“What are you two conspiring about?” Bess asked. “You're not going to run around shooting pictures, are you? Dolley's been bad enough since she bought her new camera.”

Liam held up his hands. “My camera's upstairs.”

Dolley kept her head down and took salad.

“Dolley?” Abby said.

“I'm not holding one right now, am I?” It was on the mantel.

“Let's keep it that way,” Mamie said. “I'd rather not ruin a lovely dinner.”

“I admire Dolley's dedication to her art.” Liam passed Dolley the tureen of borscht. “You should, too.”

Dolley's cheeks heated to the color of the soup she ladled into her bowl. Her head jerked up. “It's okay.”

“No, it's not.” His blue laser gaze scanned the table. “Your family should know how talented you are.”

Everyone stared at her.

“Liam—”

“Dolley,” he interrupted. “They should acknowledge your talent and drive.”

She pressed on her roiling stomach. It hadn't settled down since the interview.

“Thank you for the reminder.” Mamma moved around the table and hugged Liam's shoulders. Then she kissed Dolley's cheek. “I've grown accustomed to thinking of her camera as an irritation. I'm ashamed of myself. I appreciate you reminding us that Dolley is an artist.”

“Thank you, Mamma.” Dolley closed her eyes. Her chest heaved. Mamma had just called her an artist. But only because Liam had held a mirror up to their behavior.

Mamma squeezed her shoulder before moving back to her chair.

Did she even think of herself as an artist?

“I'm sorry, too.” Bess tipped their heads together. “That would be like you booing whenever I moved dirt.”

“Or when I bake,” Abby added.

Dolley swallowed. “I'm still learning my craft.”

“Don't belittle yourself.” Liam slapped a hand on the table, and the silverware jumped. “You've talent and skill. Especially your pictures of people. One that I don't have.”

Her family stared at him.

Dolley took a hasty sip of wine. This was what it was like to have someone in her life who had her back. This was what her sisters had found in their fiancés. What Mamma had found with Martin.

She was finally part of the sisterhood. Tears hung on her eyelashes.

“Thank you,” she whispered to Liam. Louder, she said, “Is someone going to pass around Abby's stroganoff? Talk about an artist.”

Her joke broke the tension. The food circulated again. Conversation picked up.

“Never let anyone diss your talent,” Liam whispered.

She laughed. “You asked me to trust you.”

He nodded.

She squeezed his hand tight. “I do.”

Liam's smile burst open like sunlight after a thunderstorm. “I won't let you down.”

Her heart beat a little faster. She was trusting Liam with her family's legacy and her dreams
. Don't let this be a mistake.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his nature into his pictures.

Henry Ward Beecher

“T
AKE
A
SHORT
BREAK
,
GENTS
.”
Liam changed the lens on the camera. “We're almost done.”

Gray, Daniel and his other groomsmen from Boston, Phillips and Doug, moved to the balcony and lit cigars. True to their threats, they'd included him in all the wedding activities. And grilled him about his intentions toward Dolley.

Who did that anymore?

He had no clue what his intentions were. But when he was around Dolley and her family, it was like his life was in focus.

Unfortunately, since the day of the interview, he'd barely seen Dolley. When he'd been free, she'd had a rush website job. Then he'd buckled down to flesh out the documentary's new story line.

Dolley had located descendants of the people listed in James and Fiona's ledgers and journals. He only knew this because of the notes and texts that flew between them. He'd hoped the various wedding events would bring them together, but that hadn't happened.

They lived mere feet from each other, and he hadn't set eyes on her since the groom's dinner two nights ago. Too long for his needs. Tonight, even though he was taking the wedding pictures, he planned to spend time with Dolley. Please, God.

He took a couple of shots of the four men, cigar smoke curling around their heads. Better than the picture he was going to suggest.

“Are we done?” Daniel asked.

He snapped a few more. “For now.”

He headed to the opposite wing of the house. Knocking, he called out, “It's Liam.”

Bess pulled the door open. “We're decent.”

He peered into the room. “I'd say you're not just decent, you're beautiful.”

Dolley toasted him with a half-empty champagne glass. “You say the sweetest things.”

Her grin had the strain in his body evaporating like mist in the morning sun. How could her smile give him...peace?

She wore a dusky rose dress, short and tight. Her green eyes glittered like emeralds. Her curls were tamed into an attractive do. Pity. He loved her wild curly locks.

Bess's dress was a paler rose color. Her long hair was piled on her head. Her eyes were a dimmer shade of green, but still shone like gems.

But Abby was the star of the bouquet of beauties. Her fairy-tale gown sparkled, and so did her green eyes. A couple of freckles spotted her bare shoulders.

Had Dolley taken a picture of Abby's shoulders? That would be a nice shot.

He smiled at Dolley. “Don't mind me. I'll just get some pictures.”

“I've shot Abby's dress and her getting ready.” Dolley brought over her camera. “And the makeup and hair people working on her.”

“You make it sound like I had a giant overhaul,” Abby complained.

“They were perfecting the glorious being that is you.” Bess tipped her flute at her sister.

“I love my sisters!” Abby pinched her lips together.

“Don't you cry!” Bess came over with the champagne bottle and topped off her glass. “There's no crying once you've had your makeup done.”

Abby sniffed back her tears. “I know.”

“I'll take more champagne.” Gray's sister, Courtney, was tucked in a chair over in the corner, a bored expression on her face.

She was just as pretty as the Fitzgeralds, maybe prettier. She had Gray's bright blue eyes and black curly hair that fell to the middle of her back. But she would never be stunning like Dolley or her sisters, because she didn't have...spark.

Bess topped off Courtney's glass. “Sure.”

He snapped a picture of Courtney's pouting face.

“I wasn't ready.” She straightened and pasted on an insincere smile.

He snapped a few more but knew the first picture was the reflection of her true personality. Too bad. Her brother was...real. And nice.

He moved around the room, and Dolley's gaze followed him. It was like the stroke of her hand on his back, comforting and exciting. He stood over the pile of sparkling heels, tipping one on its side.

Dolley and Bess relaxed on a small love seat, their bare feet resting on a coffee table. Since they were watching Abby, he took a couple of candids. Then he zoomed in on Dolley's face. She had so much life and energy.

He would have to remember that it was the bride's day today. Not Dolley's.

Mamie, along with Gray's mother, Olivia, Debbie Forester and Marion all entered the bridal boudoir.

“I'd like to get pictures with the mothers.” Liam nodded to Dolley. They were going to tag team as much as possible today. She caught up her camera and stood a little apart from him.

Abby walked to the women. When Abby wrapped her arm around Marion and Deb, Olivia looked a little stunned.

Liam understood that these women were as much a part of the Fitzgerald family as Abby's sisters. He'd even caught Marion scolding Abby.

He and Dolley took group photos in the room and then moved everyone to the balcony.

“I don't understand why Dolley's taking our pictures,” Courtney complained. “She's not a professional.”

“Actually, I am.” Dolley's voice was even.

“She's my apprentice.” Liam shifted the women around. “And very, very good.”

“Really?” Courtney drawled. Under her breath, she added, “That's what they call it these days?”

Dolley was facing him, so he caught her eye roll.

“Ignore her,” he whispered. “You take charge.”

Maybe Courtney would eat her words.

“Mamma and Abby, first,” Dolley said, changing her camera's settings.

Dolley had a flair for portraits. After she shot their poses, she added Olivia and then Marion and Deb.

Liam stepped in. “Now, all the sisters.”

Courtney took her time joining the group. He would have everyone in this picture and eliminate until he had only the Fitzgeralds, because joy should be what was reflected on everyone's faces, not disdain.

Dolley handed her camera to him.

He whispered, “It's too bad everyone can't be happy today.”

Her glance shot to Courtney. She whispered back, “When Abby and Gray first started dating, she caused problems. He'd been dating her BFF.”

He frowned.

“Her best friend forever. BFF.”

“Ahh.”

After taking all the group photos, he packed his cameras. “I'll see you upstairs.”

Abby's grin sparkled. “Okay.”

In the ballroom, he framed pictures of the guests, tables and the arbor. Finally the mothers were escorted to their chairs. The string quartet changed songs as Gray and the judge entered and stood by the arbor.

On the bride's side of the aisle, women wore hats. On the groom's side, the younger women wore something Dolley had called a fascinator. High fashion and stiff backs were evident there. Would the two groups mix during cocktail hour?

Courtney came down the aisle first. He snapped the obligatory pictures of the couple. Dolley came next. He focused on her radiant face, finally remembering that wedding pictures should include the dresses. He did the same for Bess.

He twirled to catch Gray's expression as Abby appeared. The groom's mouth dropped open, and a smile split his face.

Samuel Forester escorted Abby down the silk-covered aisle. He didn't use his walker, so their pace was slow, but Samuel couldn't have looked any prouder than if she was his own daughter. He kissed her cheek and murmured something only Abby could hear.

The ceremony flew by. He traversed the room, trying to stay inconspicuous. After they were declared husband and wife, he was delighted to catch Abby's mouth form an O as Gray dipped her into a kiss. Then he swung around and snapped the witnesses laughing and applauding.

He lined up the groups for the family pictures. Dolley's grin never left her face. When she could, she helped by changing cards or lenses. If she wasn't in a series of pictures, she grabbed a camera.

It was like she could read his mind, always ready with the right camera or adjusting the groups to suit him.

If she could read his mind, she would know he wanted to strip off her dress with his teeth. What would she think of that?

He needed to focus. There was the cocktail hour, dinner, cake cutting and the dance to get through.

“It's time for you to take a break,” Dolley insisted. “Amy will bring your plate to my table.”

“Can you sit with me?” They were tucked behind a pillar.

She touched his face. “I thought I would cover while you took a break.”

He leaned in. “I want more time with you.”

“And I want the last dance with you.” She smoothed the lapels of his suit.

“I want that, too.” And more. “In my room?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Grinning, he brushed a kiss on her upturned mouth. “I'll be back.”

Her eyes blinked open, but her gaze was blurred.

He loved that he could fog her mind, because she was sure messing with his.

After he finished another fine meal, he moved next to Dolley.

She shot the cake cutting. “Got it.”

She handed his camera to him. “How was dinner?”

“I missed you.”

Her face softened.

Bess ripped Dolley away from him. “First dance. Come on.”

He was so used to being alone. Used to watching other people have fun. But being with Dolley was...different.

That was a thought for later. He still had six weeks to enjoy Dolley, the Fitzgeralds and Savannah.

While the couple shared their first dance, he circled the dance floor.

“Abby and Gray want the bridal party and their parents to join them on the floor,” the DJ announced. He pointed to the Foresters. “That incudes you, Mr. and Mrs. Forester.”

Liam took pictures of each couple. When he turned his lens to the smiling faces of Dolley and Phillips, Phillips held Dolley way too tight and his gaze was glued to her cleavage.

Liam flipped on the flash and shot a picture right in Phillips's eyes.

“Hey!” Phillips loosened his grip on Dolley.

Dolley laughed. “Sorry, sorry.”

Thankfully, the song ended. He was close enough to hear Dolley say, “Thank you,” to the lecherous man.

She stopped next to him. “That wasn't necessary.”

“He was staring down your frock.”

Her head bobbed up. “What?”

“He was looking down the front of your dress,” he said through clenched teeth, leading her away from the dance floor. “I'd assumed we were...exclusive.”

Her face cycled through joy, relief and then came irritation. “We are. But what you did was not appropriate.”

“It was from my side of the camera.”

“Men,” she muttered.

“Come on, Dolley, let's dance.” Nathan, Daniel's twin brother, grabbed her hand.

“See you later.” She squeezed Liam's hand. “Remember I want the last dance.”

He kept an eye on the Forester brother. Ready to shine the flash in that man's eyes, too.

* * *

D
OLLEY
SHOULD
HAVE
been checking whether Abby needed anything, like a good bridesmaid. She glanced over at Liam, inhaling, but couldn't draw in a full breath.

All she could think about was dancing with Liam. It didn't matter if they danced right after Abby and Gray left or thirty minutes later. She wanted Liam's arms around her.

“Come on.” Bess tapped her on the shoulder. “Abby and Gray are leaving.”

Thank goodness.

Bess looked at her funny.

Shoot. Had she said that aloud?

The guests waved Abby and Gray out of the ballroom.

She didn't have to turn to know Liam stood behind her; the air changed when he was near. She grabbed his hand. “Last dance?”

His blue gaze promised so much more. “Absolutely.”

The DJ played a slow ballad. Liam pulled her close, and they rocked to the song.

“I've wanted to hold you all night,” he whispered in her ear.

He twirled her, and she tipped her head back. Lights flashed and sparkled off the chandeliers. “My sister's wedding was beautiful.”

“So are you.” He eased her head back and into his chest.

Her knees went weak. Liam was as intoxicating as champagne.

He held her up. “You all right?”

“Yes.” More than all right. She was where she wanted to be. In Liam's arms. It may not last, but right now she had him.

At least for tonight.

His arms pulled her close as they swayed to the music. “Oh, not just tonight, darlin'.”

His words added to the heat bubbling inside her. “I have to quit mumbling.”

Guests gathered their things and said goodbye. Bess and Daniel swung by on the dance floor. Her sister winked. “We're taking off. See you two at brunch?”

Dolley nodded.

The music ended. Liam laced their fingers together. “Ready?”

She nodded, unable to push words past the lump in her throat. They were really going to do this. What if she...disappointed him?

He gathered his camera bag. “I think I got some good pictures.”

“You rarely take anything
but
a good photo.”

“I need to keep you around.”

Her breath escaped in a whoosh. Did he mean that, or was it foreplay talk?

They avoided the departing guests by escaping to the back stairs.

In the narrow staircase, he pressed her against the wall. His hand cupped her chin, tugging her face up. “Here's something else I've been thinking of doing all night.”

“Me, too.” Her hands wrapped around his neck.

His mouth crashed down on hers as if he couldn't wait another second. Tongues collided, his taste an addictive combination of whiskey and cake. He cupped her ass, tugging her into perfect alignment with his erection.