Page 7 of Love in the Details

She scanned a few other items before she said, “Kassidy might be able to plan one, though. She did a great job at a baby shower I went to today.”

“Kassidy who?” Dustin asked, wondering if he could check another thing off his list tonight. Having an event planner lined up would also keep his grandmother happy and let him get back to the real reason he’d come to the valley.

“McBride. She lives on one of the ranches past the creek.”

By the time the girl had finished the transaction, Dustin was just ready to be in his car. He wouldn’t have to talk to any other strangers for the rest of the night, besides whoever took his order at the drive-thru. He could interact with people well enough, but sometimes he just needed a break in between to recharge.

Was a seventeen-year-old a good source for an event planner? The connection from baby shower to planning the annual gala was quite a jump in expertise and style.

After loading things into his sports car, Dustin turned around and saw the woman he’d hit down the pasta aisle. She glanced up at him and then focused on the keys in her hand.

“Sorry again about hitting you. I hope your leg is okay.”

“Thank you,” she said. Then she hesitated, curiosity spreading over her features. “Why did you say that quitting the bank wasn’t the end of the road?”

Dustin took a step back, trying to remember why he’d said that. “Um, just trying to help you feel like life wasn’t over? I don’t know.”

“You weren’t trying to allude to why you’re here in town after a decade?” she asked, her hands emphasizing her words.

“Eight years,” he said defensively. “And I’m not sure who you are more than Kassidy from your name tag.”

Her eyes widened, and her nose flared. She turned on her heel and hurried into her car. Winning friends, it seemed, here in Coldwater Creek.

Not that he was biting on that kind of bait, but there hadn’t been many times a girl or woman had turned him down, or didn’t try to throw themselves at him. That had to be the only reason he was curious about her. She didn’t put on airs or try to seem like she was better than most. She just avoided him. And yelled at him, but hehadrun into her with his cart. It was…refreshing.

By the time he arrived back at the house, the sun had begun to set, and the long list he’d meant to accomplish was left unchecked. At least his grandma wasn’t home to harass him about it.

After a quick internet search, he found nothing about event planners within fifty miles around the town.He didn’t even bother to search the name of the girl the cashier had given him. The job would go to a professional so he wouldn’t have to worry about the details of the party all month long. Hiring someone to do all that was a good use of money, saving him time to focus on the affairs of the business.

While he put away some of the items he’d bought, he noticed a list of numbers taped to the inside of the cupboard next to where the landline used to sit.

Dora Seeley was the first name on the list and one of his grandmother’s best friends. She’d always been the town gossip, finding out information about him before he even knew. If the woman was still alive and her number was still in service, she might be the one to ask about a planner. Then he could tell his grandmother he was at least making progress on what was supposed to be their joint venture.

The phone rang several times, an encouraging sound since he’d been sure it was disconnected. The landline to the mansion had been turned off a few years ago after Dustin had taught his grandmother how to use a cell phone.

“Hello?” came a frail voice on the other end.

“Hi, is this the number to find Dora Seeley?”

“It is.”

Dustin paused for a few seconds, waiting for her to say she was the woman he was looking for. When she didn’t say anything, he said, “This is Grace Wakefield’s grandson. I’m just calling—”

“Dusty? What a pleasure it is to get a call from you. I’ve seen a few articles about your accomplishments, and I cut them out and saved them. You can come by and see.”

“I will have to do that,” Dustin submitted, not sure he’d be able to find the time. “Ms. Seeley, I was wondering if you know of anyone who can plan events here in the valley? I’m trying to get the gala going for this year—”

“Oh, dear. Don’t you think you’re a little late to be starting that? Your grandmother always has someone ready to start with plans by October 1st.”

Guilt and worry sliced through him. Not deep enough to do permanent damage, but enough to make it sting. He’d never paid attention to when things got started, just that after Thanksgiving, the house was slowly and thoroughly transformed into a Christmas dream. Well, his dream every year had been to turn back time and that his parents wouldn’t have taken that flight in a snowstorm just to see his class play. His nine-year-old self had whined that they wouldn’t make it, and it was his fault they were dead.

Brushing off the memories and swallowing down the knot in his throat, he said, “Grandma just asked me to help her find someone. Apparently, the last one quit the business or couldn’t do it this year.”

“I haven’t heard of any new planners, but you might want to post it on the town group page. I’m sure someone will want to apply for the position.”

Why hadn’t he thought of that? Maybe because he wanted to be told right then a name and number of a person qualified to take on such a big job. Like his grandmother said, there were only a few weeks until Christmas, and he needed to hire someone as soon as possible. But an application process might be a good idea to get the best planner for the job.

Once he ended the call, he searched for the town social page on the internet and created an account in order to post. At least they weren’t so far behind the times like he’d always thought growing up.

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