Anne fetched Ben after her walk into Eastsound and back, and they went down to the dining room for breakfast. It was early yet, and most of the tables were still empty. Inside they saw Ben's parents sitting at a large round table that could seat up to eight people. The other chairs at the table were empty. Ben’s parents were both attractive people somewhere in their late fifties. Mr. Carlson was a tall man who looked like he stayed trim by doing outdoor activities. He had salt and pepper hair and the distinguished look of the bank president that he was in his professional life. Mrs. Carlson was a small, trim, elegant looking woman with brown hair cut in a shoulder length cut similar to how Anne's mother wore her hair. They were both dressed in the casual weekend style clothing that cost more than most people made in a week. His parents saw her and Ben immediately and waved them over. After putting his hand on her low back, Ben led her to the table then pulled out a chair for her next to his mother.
"Morning Ben," Ben's mother greeted him warmly. He made a quick reply then began talking to Mr. Carlson. "Anne! How nice to see you. Now I know why Ben skipped out on us last night."
"Good morning, Mrs. Carlson," Anne returned her warm greeting. She had always liked Ben’s parents. "It's nice to see you again, too. How is the wedding planning going?"
"Oh, please call me Liz and call him Troy." She indicated her husband with a head tilt. "The wedding plans are running smoothly thanks to your mother and the wedding consultant she recommended. It's hard to believe that Lily will be married in only a few short days. It’s exciting and nerve racking at the same time, and I’ll be happy when it is over. Your mother told me yesterday that you’re interviewing for jobs in Seattle. It will be so nice for you and your family to have you back."
"Thank you, Liz," Anne tried out the familiarity of the address. Liz and Troy Carlson had been coming to the inn every summer since that first time back when Anne was nine. In all the years they came, Anne had always called her Mrs. Carlson and the new form of address seemed strange on her lips. "I hope to be back soon, too."
"I hope so, too. Ah, here comes the bride and groom now." Anne looked over her shoulder to the three people coming across the room. "Tom, as I'm sure you fingered out, is Lily's fiancé. The other woman is Tom's sister, Melissa, the matron of honor and Lily's best friend. Melissa's husband will be coming up tomorrow night."
The small group arrived and sat down at the remaining chairs. What followed was a relaxing breakfast where the main topic of conversation was the wedding. There was a meeting with the consultant and the florist later that morning at the chapel. Then the photographer, a local to the San Juan's, was coming that afternoon from Friday Harbor for some casual shots of the couple outside. That evening, the plan was for everyone to dine at the inn. Ben was free to pursue his own enjoyments until late afternoon when he was needed for photos. Anne discovered that Lily and Tom had decided to exchange vows at the Victorian Valley Chapel, a popular spot for weddings, before having the reception at the inn. Then they would be leaving Sunday afternoon for a honeymoon in Napa Valley. The rest of the family, the wedding party, and guests would also leave on Sunday morning.
Anne felt at home with the group, and several times she was asked her opinions on various things about the island. Once during the meal, she felt Ben's hand rubbing her nape casually while he talked to Tom and Troy. At another point, his hand rested on her naked thigh just below the hem of her shorts. She could also feel his eyes on her several times and looked over at him with a smile. She also saw that his family was noticing their little interactions and smiling at the two of them. She and Ben would need to explain the situation before his mother began making wedding plans for them too, Anne thought.
Their chance to explain arrived a little before breakfast wound down when the Rivertons entered the dining room and stopped at their table to greet them. Ben's parents talked for a few minutes with Chelsea's parents after they exchanged a few words with Lily and Tom. Chelsea, in contrast, did not talk and stood stiffly by shooting daggers at Anne with her eyes. Seeing this, Ben made a point of whispering a joke in Anne's her ear so that she laughed warmly at him. They looked every bit the loving couple they pretended to be. Finally, the Rivertons moved on to their own table across the room.
"I like Marge and Ted, but that daughter of theirs is something else," Troy Carlson said once the other family was out of earshot. "I thought you weren't inviting Chelsea to the wedding, Lily."
"I didn't," Lily stated angrily. "She’s crashing the wedding. Can you believe it? If her parents weren't such good friends of yours, I would have told her off for coming. She probably heard that Ben and Trish broke up and decided to come and try to rope Ben. Sorry, Ben."
"It's not your fault, Lil. But as long as you are all here, Anne and I have some news. Last night we ran into Chelsea in the lounge, and I explained the problems I had with her to Anne. So, Anne has agreed to run interference to keep Chelsea at bay."
"You told Anne about the restraining order?" Liz asked.
"I didn't take one out against her, remember."
"She stalked you?" Anne looked at Ben surprised that it was that bad.
"For a time she did. But that part stopped after her parents said something to her. Ever since then, she just makes a point of coming on to me only if we see each other at some event. I try to avoid her the best I can. It's gotten better over the years, although I half expected her to jump you last night."
"What is this interference you’re talking about?" Liz asked the question but everyone leaned in to hear the answer.
"So that she doesn't spoil the wedding, we, Anne and I, are pretending to be in a relationship, engaged, actually. I hope that she will get the message and leave before Saturday," Ben told them all. Everyone looked at Anne with inquiring faces.
"You agreed to this, Anne? Do your parents know?" Troy asked the questions with a speculative look on his face. The same look was mirrored on Liz and Lily’s faces.
"It was my idea, and I haven't had the chance to tell them, yet." Anne looked around but did not see either of her parents. "Ben and I will find them after breakfast."
"Well, you two. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we will all act as if the relationship is real and that we are overjoyed by it," Liz told them. "Everyone agreed?"
"Agreed," they all said in unison.
"It's time to get ready to go," Liz said after a quick look at her watch. Everyone gathered their things and took one last sip of their coffees then stood up to leave. When the group reached the lobby, Liz pulled Ben and Anne aside while the others moved toward the elevator. "Ben, the tuxes will be coming up tomorrow, so make sure you try everything on when they get here. The tailor thought he would be here by noon, one o'clock. So make sure that you are here."
"I'll be here, Mom. Don't worry."
"Good," Liz said right before she wrapped Anne in a hug. "Welcome to the family, Anne."
"It's not real, Mom," Ben said drily as she continued to hold Anne's arms after the hug.
"I know, sweetheart. Chelsea was looking over here. You two have fun today."
"Bye, Mom." Liz turned and walked over to the elevator just as the door was opening, leaving Anne and Ben to stare at each other. "Well, Anne, let’s go find your parents."
They didn’t have to look too far. Celia, the assistant manager, told them that her parents were in the office, so Anne took Ben's hand and led him to the office area in the employees-only area at the back of the inn. Since the day they bought the inn, Jane and Jim Petrovic shared the same office. They did, however, sit at different desks in the large room filled with the usual furniture and equipment found in offices. The room also had two kayaks, one lime green and the other orange, leaning against one corner and a row of plants that lined up on the long windowsill.
A nice breeze blew gently in from the window and ruffled Anne's mother's hair. On seeing her daughter enter the room with Ben, Anne's mother stopp
ed what she was working on and hopped out of her chair. She went to stand behind her husband's chair and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Mom, Dad. Ben and I have something to tell you."
* * * * *