A Groom With a View Read Online Free PDF Page A

connection to Livvy?"
    “I'm a secretary at Novelties.”
    “Novelties?"
    “The Thatcher family company. Livvy is vice president."
    “I knew there was a family business," Jane said, "but I didn't know what it was. What does Novelties do?"
    “We supply companies with personalized novelty items. Company t-shirts, mugs, pens, key chains, that sort of thing. With their company logo imprinted. We also make up award plaques and framed tributes to retiring employees. Most of the items are little junky things, but some are very nice. Expensive fountain pens with names in gold, crystal paperweights with carved accomplishments — fifty years' service awards and such."
    “Here's your room. The bathroom is there and Layla's room is just beyond," Jane said. "What an interesting business. I never even wondered where all those things came from.”
    Kitty set her suitcases on the bed. She looked as if she'd packed for a month instead of just a couple days. Kitty had carried two big suitcases, Jane had carried a small one and a box. Jane half expected a trunk to be delivered later. "It's an old company," Kitty said. "Livvy's grandfather, Oliver Wendell Thatcher, founded it, I think. Or maybe it was his father. We have a little museum in the office complex with a bunch of old stuff they did. Wooden rulers with lumberyard names, stamped leather change purses from the twenties."
    “This sounds like a big operation," Jane said. "And Livvy is vice president?"
    “She's really the president and CEO although her father still officially holds those titles. But Livvy does all the work."
    “And you're her secretary?"
    “No, I'm the secretary of two of the sales reps. Oh, you're wondering, I imagine, why she chose me as a bridesmaid? That's because I introduced her to Dwayne. I had a blind date with him and we ran into Livvy at the movies. I introduced them and the rest, as they say, is history."
    “Oh, I see. I'm sorry to rush you, but—"
    “I know. The fitting.”
    Jane showed her to the big upstairs room where Mrs. Crossthwait had been installed. Layla and Shelley were there as well, apparently out of sheer boredom. Kitty stripped down to her slip and tried on the jacket of her boxy suit. It was really enormously flattering to her chunky figure. Mrs. Crossthwait fussed about, measuring and turning the sleeves and pinning them in place.
    “Is that all that remains to do?" Jane asked loudly.
    “That and the skirt hem," Mrs. Crossthwait said. "Take off the jacket, dear.”
    Kitty slipped the skirt on and fumbled at the back of the skirt waistband for the button.
    “I'll do that, dear," Mrs. Crossthwait said. "Hmmm. You've put on a bit of weight, haven't you?"
    “I have not. You must have put the button inthe wrong place." Kitty looked extremely embarrassed at having her figure criticized while she was standing around in her slip in front of strangers.
    “I never mismeasure," Mrs. Crossthwait said firmly. "I'll have to let out a little of the ease and move the button.”
    Jane almost groaned out loud. More alterations. More delay.
    “Shelley, could you help me make up the rest of the beds?" she asked.
    “I'll help," Layla said.
    “No, this smacks of housework. You're on vacation. Work on your jigsaw puzzle.”
    Jane was surprised and delighted to find that most of the little monk cells now had casual flower arrangements on the bedside tables. "I guess Larkspur has been busy," she said. "How pretty they are!"
    “Did I hear my name being taken in vain?" Larkspur said from the doorway.
    “These arrangements are marvelous. We hadn't talked about them in our planning, though.”
    He laughed. "If you're worried about your budget, don't. I found all the flowers in the woods and just stuck them in whatever containers your Mr. Willis would part with. No charge, Mrs. Midas. He's a bit of a dish, isn't he? The Willis."
    “Is he cooking yet? I'm starved," Shelley said. "Yes, in fact he sent me to find everyone. Lovely little cress