The Accidental Florist

I thought he needed a woman along to defend him from the church ladies.“
    “Oh, here comes our luggage, Michael. Can you find a trolley to get it outside?“
    In a minute or two, Jane’s dad was back. And Jane realized that they’d brought an enormous number of bags stuffed to brimming and even two medium-size trunks.
    She didn’t dare ask until they were in the car. She called Mike and said, “We’re taking the luggage outside right now,“ and in a whisper, added, “There’s a whole lot of it.“
    Mike pulled up, opening the back door of the Jeep, and hugged each grandparent. Then he started loading up the back section of the Jeep. He was half afraid it wouldn’t all go in but managed to wrestle it in after moving a few things around twice to make them fit.
    “Michael, you ride in front with Mike, and I’ll ride back here with Jane,“ Cecily said.
    As they pulled out onto the highway, Mike asked, “Why are you guys so loaded down with luggage and trunks?“ Michael turned his head and winked at Cecily.
    “Should we tell them now?“
    “Why not?“ Jane’s mother said. “It wasn’t meant to be a secret. Michael and I are officially retired. Now we can finally settle down somewhere, and we thought Chicago would be perfect.“
    “I’m thrilled to hear this,“ Jane said. “House or condo?“
    “Condo,“ Cecily said. “Neither of us has ever mowed grass and we don’t want to learn how to.“
    Michael said, “We’re starved. All we ate today was a bag of potato chips on the plane from New York.“
    “Let’s stop off on the way home,“ his grandson said.
    “A good Mexican restaurant, please,“ Cecily said. “The Danes aren’t hot on Mexican food and I’m longing for some.“
    Jane was sorry she hadn’t brought her bottle of Turns along. And felt a tad gaggy at the thought of Mexican food after all she’d eaten the night before. Maybe she could make do with chips and a mild queso.

Chapter Twenty-three

    Jane, Mike, Cecily, and Michael were waiting in the lobby of the hotel for Katie to arrive. Jane had explained to her parents that she’d booked them into a two-bedroom suite because Katie wanted to stay with them.
    When Katie arrived with a rather large suitcase, she set it down and rushed across the lobby. “Mom, they picked me up in a white stretch limo as if I were a celebrity.“
    She set down the suitcase with a thud and embraced her grandparents and then her mother. Mike edged away from a hug.
    Jane said, “Someday you will be a celebrity chef.“
    “Right now I’m starving,“ Katie said.
    Jane had a bellhop take Katie’s monster suitcase up to the suite and they all went into the deli restaurant in the hotel.
    When they’d picked out sandwiches and chips, Katie asked, “So what’s the plan?“
    “The rehearsal dinner here tonight. A civil wedding tomorrow morning. Just family. Then Addie’s wedding at five the next day.“
    “What do you mean by Addie’s wedding’?“ Katie asked. Jane explained.
    “That’s stupid. She’s not the bride’s mother,“ Katie complained. “She’s Mel’s mother.“
    “As I’ve already pointed out to Mike, it saves me the money,“ Jane said with a laugh.
    “Wait until you guys see what Mom’s doing to her house, speaking of spending money.“
    Cecily asked, “What are you doing, Jane?“
    “Adding an office for Mel in back of the dining room,“ Jane said.
    “I think that’s nice,“ her father said.
    “Thank you, Dad. Mike doesn’t like it.“
    “Yes, I do,“ Mike objected. “I just think you’re spending too much money.“
    “Mike, it’s my money, and Mel is moving from an apartment where one bedroom was his office. He needs one at our house when he moves in.“
    “We need to all take a rest and then dress for the rehearsal dinner,“ Jane said. “It’s in this hotel somewhere. I’ll go ask where and when.“
    Jane was back in moments with printed instructions for finding the right place and time. She gave one copy to her mother and kept the other one.
    They were all on time for the rehearsal dinner in the hotel. Addie had brought along her two daughters, Alice and Emily, and their husbands, who were also introduced. Mel was introduced last.
    Jane then took her turn, “My parents, Michael and Cecily Grant. My son Mike, my daughter, Katie, and my son Todd. And this wonderful gentleman is my honorary uncle, Jim Harding.“
    The whole time Jane was speaking, and pointing out the family members, Addie had