Page 35 of Unexpected Entanglement

“We can get some from the farm,” Rowan said.

“Cool,” Oliver said.

Rowan looked around. “Where’s Chris?”

“He went back to the barn. A couple of girls were waiting for you there,” Alex informed her.

“Crap, I forgot.” Rowan ran to the stairs, down to the mudroom, and out the backdoor. Avoiding the muddy mess, she went in the barn’s back door.

She found Meera and Lily giggling as they talked with Chris. His focus was on the girls as he listened, then whatever Lily said made him guffaw.

How is he so chummy with them already? Rowan’s brows rose as she observed the interaction.

“Hey, there she is,” Chris noted as Rowan stepped closer.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Rowan smiled at the younger women.

“No worries. Chris filled us in on what happened,” Meera said. “I can get a couple of guys to fix the side garden tomorrow. We’ll let the ground absorb the water overnight first.”

“Oh, can you? That’d be awesome.” Rowan let out a breath of relief.

“We know you have extra work to deal with, so we won’t take too much time.” Lily handed her a few drawings. “Based on our last conversation and the photos the bride sent, I thought this long, slim garland that runs the entire middle length of the table would be lovely. We’ll add a small arrangement every few seats.”

Rowan studied the drawing of the garland on the long table, complete with table setting. The 2D version of the bride’s vision looked lovely, but Rowan had to ensure it would work.

“This looks beautiful, but we’re serving food family style, meaning there will be platters on the table every five sets of facing seats,” Rowan pointed out.

“Are we using the tables we used for last summer’s tasting?” Meera asked.

“Yes,” Rowan confirmed.

“There’ll be plenty of room. We will arrange the garland to accommodate the platters,” Meera assured. “How many platters will there be?”

“No more than three at each course,” Rowan said, based on her discussion with Alex and Oliver.

“No problem,” Lily said confidently.

“Okay, if you’re sure,” Rowan said, trusting Lily and Meera. “We have the easiest bride in the history of brides, but it makes me want to deliver the best wedding for her. All she asked is that we duplicate her grandparents’ wedding and update it to this century.”

“Seriously?” Chris looked doubtful.

“Oh yeah. My cousin Meredith is the most laid-back bride ever. Her grandparents’ wedding here was quite rustic but beautiful. And now rustic is chic. She’d love a lot of greens and wildflowers.”

“And we have plenty of those.” Lily smiled and pointed to the two large chandeliers hanging above them. “We’ll decorate those with greenery as well.”

Meera handed Rowan another drawing to show the decorated chandeliers. Chris drew closer to Rowan’s side to look at the picture.

“That’s pretty. You know what will make them pop more?” He looked up and pointed at the large horizontal beams running the barn’s length. “If we drape sheer white cloths from the roof down over the beam and let them curtain down. They’ll frame the space and make rustic look dreamy.”

“Did you just use the word dreamy?” Rowan smirked at him.

“It would be dreamy,” Lily agreed.

“I’m not sure we can fit it in the budget,” Rowan said, though she did like the visual Chris proposed. “That’s not what I’ve discussed with Meredith. We agreed to keep it simple. We can’t get these extra materials this late in the game.”

“If I can get you the materials and the quote, will you talk to the bride and groom?” Chris asked.

“I can give you a rendering,” Lily offered, excitement in her eyes.

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