Picture Perfect (Weddings by Design Book #1): A Novel Read Free

Gaelic, then the call ended. I could almost picture him doing a little jig across the house to sweep Mama into his arms.
    Ah, romance! When would it knock me off my feet like that?
    Never, if I spent eighty hours a week focused on my business. Still, what else could I do? We McDermotts didn’t go down without a fight, as Dad said. Not that I needed to fret over the whole Drew Kincaid thing, apparently. Like my clan members, I would win the battle. I would claim the land, conquer my foes, and take some impressive wrinkle-free photos of the biggest diva in country music history.
    And somehow manage to impress Galveston Island’s top wedding planner along the way.

2
The Little Things in Life
    May those who love us, love us.
    And for those who don’t love us,
    May God turn their hearts.
    And if he cannot turn their hearts,
    May he turn their ankles,
    So we may know them by their limping.
    Irish saying
    A fter touching up my lipstick, I headed into Starbucks dressed in my most professional attire and carrying a portfolio that would’ve made a novice photographer shamrock-green with envy. Why, then, did I have to blow it the moment the reporter walked in the door by rambling as if I’d consumed nothing but caffeine all day? Oh, right. Because I hadn’t.
    The cup of cinnamon dolce latte that I purchased trembled in my hand as I took the seat across from the frazzled blonde reporter who introduced herself as Dani. She gave me a pensive look as she pulled an iPad out of her purse and turned it on. “Start over, Hannah,” she said, her thinly plucked brows elevating as she tried to keep up with me. “But slow down this time. I don’t want to miss a thing.”
    After clearing my throat, I began my speech again, this time pacing my words. “I was just saying that wedding pictures don’t tell the whole story. Not even close.” Taking a sip of my latte, I tried to look poised and professional. Unfortunately, my acting skills had never been very good.
    “Meaning?” She typed a few words into her touch-sensitive keyboard, using the two-finger method.
    I released a slow breath and delivered my carefully rehearsed speech. “Photographers work hard to capture the glorious moments. The radiant smile on the bride’s face as she takes her first step down the aisle. The look of wonder coming from the groom as he catches a glimpse of his bride for the first time. The backdrop of a gorgeous wedding facility—especially if it happens to be Club Wed, the prettiest place to get married on Galveston Island.”
    Dani looked up from her iPad and sighed. “Don’t you just love Club Wed? My sister Sharlene got married there a few years ago. Her ceremony made the papers because it was their first official themed wedding.”
    “The boot-scootin’ country-western one?” I could hardly believe it. That wedding was infamous.
    “That’s the one.” She grinned. “Now you see why I’m so interested in the place. I’d like to get married there myself someday.”
    “Who wouldn’t? But you’d better go ahead and book itnow if you’re serious. I hear they’ve got a waiting list a mile long.”
    Dani released a little sigh. “Well, I’m not exactly engaged yet. Just wishful thinking on my part. Every girl wants the perfect wedding.”
    “Of course. Club Wed is definitely the best venue on the island and the perfect place to capture those rare, once-in-a-lifetime photos.”
    “Like?”
    “Like . . .” I paused to think it through, my eyes fluttering closed as the images presented themselves in my mind’s eye. “Like the close-up of a lone tear as it slips down the cheek of the mother of the bride. And that made-for-the-camera moment when the bridesmaids and groomsmen take their places alongside the bride and groom, forming a perfect V-shape with the minister at the very center.” At this point, I added all the dramatic flair I could muster as I punctuated each word. “ These are the things we attempt to catch through the eye