“Do you have any more questions?” the reverend asked.
“No. And you have all the information you need?” Howard asked, and Reverend Peterson nodded and smiled.
“I know everything I need to know,” he said and stood up, indicating that the meeting was over. Daniel stood as well, waiting while the others got ready to go, and after thanking the minister, they filed out of the office, winding their way back to the front of the church and outside the cavernous building into the fresh air.
“That was a total crock of shit,” James spat once the doors were closed.
“Why?” Holly asked, blinking like she was just realizing what happened.
Daniel chuckled. “That guy has a Napoleon complex the size of Montana. Did you see the floor behind that desk? It’s angled to make him seem taller and more important, like he wants to lord it over everyone. That’s just damned weird. And fake…all those smiles and the way he paid attention…he didn’t give a crap what any of us said. He just twisted it to his way of thinking.”
Holly ground her teeth, swearing under her breath. “He did do that, didn’t he?” Damn, she looked about ready to march back into the church and rip off the reverend’s balls. Not that Daniel could blame her for a second. Everyone hated being played.
“Let’s get something to eat somewhere and we can talk someplace that isn’t the church parking lot.”
* * *
“Just relax and don’t worry about it,” Howard told Holly gently as she continued raving about the minister.
“But I don’t want to be married by Reverend Nutcase,” Holly half wailed and half cried as she leaned against Howard’s shoulder. “I know it’s too damned late to back out now.” She turned to Howard, wiping her eyes. “Now you know why I refuse to go to church with my mother.” She shivered.
The server brought their coffees and hurried away to handle the myriad of other customers. Holly sipped hers and sighed. “Didn’t you meet with him before today to discuss the basics of the service?” Daniel asked. That seemed a little strange to him.
“Mother insisted and arranged for him to perform the ceremony.” Holly seemed calmer the more coffee she got in her, and Howard did his best to settle her down. Daniel couldn’t help wondering how much more Grace could insinuate herself into this wedding.
Daniel leaned closer to James. “You looked huge when you were behind that desk.”
James chuckled, his gaze heating enough that Daniel could feel it. “How do you know?” James shifted his view to a leer, and Daniel did roll his eyes.
“Leave it to you to turn this into a dick joke.”
James howled drawing Holly and Howard’s attention. “This whole thing is a dick joke. The reverend’s full name is Richard Peterson.”
He chuckled and sipped coffee, grateful for James lightening the mood. Daniel needed to return to the house and get to work on the dress once more. He had a lot to do to take that disaster of a dress and turn it into the gown that every woman deserved on her wedding day.
Thankfully, James seemed to understand the situation. “Daniella and I need to return to work on the dress, and you two need to figure out the situation with the vows and Reverend Narcissist.” He lightly patted Daniel’s leg under the table. “Why don’t you and I get going? Mom and Dad had an appointment this afternoon so she isn’t supposed to be home.”
Daniel thought a second and then smiled and nodded. He understood. As long as Grace was out of the house, maybe he and James could avoid the next round of questions.
Unfortunately, that little notion turned out to be a complete fantasy. As soon as they returned to the house, they were met by Grace, who greeted them at the door and ushered Daniel into the kitchen. “We never got a chance to finish our conversation this morning. James, you go and help your father in the garage. There are some things he needs to get down out of the loft area, and Daniella and I need to chat.” She took him by the arm, leading him into the kitchen. “It’s time for you and I to have a little girl talk.” Daniel and James shared a quick glance, and Daniel shrugged. He really wanted to grab James by the hand to hold him here, but it looked like he was going to have to face this particular round of questioning on his own.
“Would you like some cake?” She set a pound cake on the table with some plates. “My James is a wonderful man. I’m so proud of him.”
“You have every reason to be,” Daniel said without a moment’s hesitation. James was a good person, and Daniel found himself attracted to him more and more.