“Oh, of course. Isn't Layla gorgeous? I wonder how Livvy knows her."

“They were in high school together. What's your 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."