“You love Disney weddings,” Luke clarified. “You haven’t been to a real wedding.”
“Will I get to go to Mr. West’s?” his daughter asked.
“I don’t know if they’re inviting kids. We’ll have to see,” Luke said.
“My dad said maybe I could help decorate when there’s a wedding in our barn,” she said to me.
“Decorating is hard work,” I said, “but it’s fun too.” I switched my focus to Luke. “I was hoping I could steal a peek at the barn today before you get too busy so I can work out more details for Presley and West.”
“We can probably arrange that,” Luke said.
“Can I come too?” Addie asked.
“We have to kick off tree season, doodlebug.”
Her shoulders slumped as she looked at her plate.
She was a cute kid and was warming up to me slowly, which I appreciated. Presley had told me how West’s daughters had glommed onto her the first time they met her. It was super sweet for her, but I wasn’t sure I’d know how to handle a glomming child. Maybe Addie and I were similar in our need to get acquainted gradually.
“You keep pretty busy this time of year in your business?” Mr. Durham asked.
“I’ve booked a few holiday parties, but I got started a little late in the year to really be swamped,” I told him. “I’m getting a steady number of inquiries for weddings for next year though. I have an appointment for late next week with a famous country singer who wants me to plan her wedding.”
“Yeah?” Luke said, and I heard a thread of pride in his voice, which elicited an unfamiliar feeling in me. I wasn’t used to the kind of man who supported me with no ulterior motive…or at least I didn’t think he had an ulterior motive. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it would take some getting used to.
“I can’t share her name,” I said, “but if you like country music, you’ve definitely heard of her.”
“Good for you,” Mr. Durham said. “That oughta bring in a pretty penny.”
“I think so,” I agreed, “and it could be a foot in the door with the country-music world in Nashville.”
“Potential gold mine,” Luke said. “They’d be smart to hire you.”
“Thanks. We’ll see what happens. It’s just a preliminary meeting.”
“I hope they hire you,” Addie said, her eyes sparkling.
“Me too, Addie. I’ll keep you posted.” I smiled across the table at her, warming up to her more quickly than I’d thought possible.
“Dinner’s delicious, Luke. You outdid yourself.” His dad reached for the turkey platter and helped himself to another round.
“Thanks, Dad. The corn casserole’s good stuff too, Mags,” Luke said.
“We’ll see if the pie holds up,” I said.
“I’m sure it will.” Luke took a drink of his water. “Speaking of dinner, I talked to Mrs. Haines, Dad. She’s going to start bringing dinner over three nights a week for us.”
Mr. Durham set his glass down hard. “We don’t need Mrs. Haines bringing us dinner. Cooking’s my responsibility.”
“Cooking’s hard on your back, Dad. This will give you a break on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.”
“I didn’t ask for a break.”
“That’s why I did it. You won’t ask for a break, but I’m trying to help you.”
“I don’t want help, son. I’m not a useless old man to be put out to pasture.”
“Nobody said you were useless, Dad.”
