“Yes,” Brooke said. “If you’ll send me your email address, I’ll forward the dates of the weddings that are booked and their information. There are four booked from the end of September through early November. The first one in three weeks didn’t payfor services and they are coming in to do their own thing, but reach out anyway.”
“I’d love to. I won’t step on toes, but it might help get my feet wet. Do you think Clay will mind?”
“Not at all,” Brooke said. “The wedding part wasn’t his idea and he’s pretty hands off on the details. The day of, he’s in here moving everything around and doing what I say, then working the bar if needed.”
“Is there anyone else that helps?” She hadn’t realized she’d be setting up like that.
“There are lots of employees on the grounds and many willing to earn extra money. I’ve got a list of help I call for events also.” Brooke patted her hand. “We won’t leave you stranded.”
“If you can send me everything, then I’ll try to get all my questions together and send at one time to make it easier, if that helps?”
“It does,” Brooke said. “Reenie will be a great resource also. If you don’t have any plans one night this week, why don’t you come to dinner? Reenie will come also and the three of us can chat afterward.”
“I’d love that,” she said, her bottom lip coming out. Crazy how emotional she was getting. But she needed this in her life. One dream was coming true since her other dream of her own wedding had been squashed so messily.
“You’re a good girl,” Brooke said. “I’m so glad Gale gave your information to Clay to call you.”
She kept her smile in place. “Yet he didn’t know who I was.”
“I’m sure Gale sent it not even thinking to tell him,” Brooke said. “I recognized you right away, but you know, boys, they don’t always know what is right in front of their face.”
Something told her that Clay Ridgeway missed very little in life.
Which just proved how tiny of an impact she’d had on him.
Not that she thought he would remember her. Like all the looks, laughs, and times he’d come to her aid as a child.
Guess it was one sided like most of her relationships in life.
She waved her hand. “Either way. I’m thrilled to be part of this. Do I have paperwork to fill out?”
Brooke rolled her eyes. “Typical Clay, not even thinking of those things. Yes. You’ll be an employee of Ridgeway Orchards. Ridgeway Hard Cider is a separate entity now. I’m sure he wasn’t even thinking.”
“Why did he interview me then?” she asked. So she wouldn’t be working for Clay. Bummer.
“Well, Clay is running everything now. Callum works for Clay and does what needs to be done on the property, but Clay has more or less taken over since Callum’s injury.”
“Oh dear, I hadn’t heard. Is he okay?”
She remembered Gale’s father as a big tough man. He smiled little, but he wasn’t mean.
Not like Clay came off.
More like rude rather than mean. No difference in her mind.
“He broke his back almost two years ago,” she said. “Just a freak accident. He’s had multiple surgeries, and though he’s better, he’ll never be the same. Clay finished his last tour and left the Navy to return home and take over.”
She knew Clay had gone into the service. She didn’t move out of Warrensburg to Glens Falls until she was in ninth grade. By then, Clay had graduated and been in the Navy for a few years.
“Looks like a lot has changed since he’s been back.”
She hadn’t seen where the cider was being made, but the barn she was in now showcased a beautiful rehab. Anyone would be lucky to get married in this location with the mountain view from the front or back entrance.
“So much has changed,” Brooke said, “but yet even more has stayed the same. Have you looked around? Anything you want me to show you?”
“I’m good,” she said. “I know you’ve had a long day.”
Brooke started before the sun rose. She remembered that. Part of what stayed the same, she was sure.
