“That will save you time. What about the covers?”
“I asked the children at The Welcome Center what they thought about my covers and they said they liked them. I also asked a friend who works at the local elementary school if she could show them to her students. Out of a range of books aimed at the same age group, they picked my covers as the one’s they liked the best.”
“That must have been a relief. Are you publishing any print versions?”
“A local printer already has the files. Because another person canceled their job, he can squeeze me in after Christmas.”
“That’s exciting.”
She parked in front of the main entrance and sighed. “I wish it was. I’m scared no one will read my books.”
Peter raised his eyebrows. “Are you kidding? Pastor John said the children at The Welcome Center love your stories. They said…” He stopped talking and looked guiltily through the windshield. “The snow has stopped falling. We should deliver Mr. Skelsey’s computer before it starts again.”
Katie studied the dull red blush creeping up Peter’s neck. “What did the children say?”
“Nothing.” He flicked off his seatbelt and leaped out of the truck. “I’ll get the gift basket.”
Shaking off her misgivings, Katie followed the long-legged elf with a red jacket and sparkly green shirt across the parking lot. For someone who hadn’t known where they were going, he was figuring it out quickly.
CHAPTER8
Katie couldn’t believe how quickly the last week had flown by. In between making sure the last of their pre-Christmas guests enjoyed their stay at the inn, she’d delivered more gift baskets and helped her family get ready for Diana and Ethan’s wedding.
Whether it was wrapping the table favors, baking for the family members who would be staying with them, or making sure they had everything they needed to decorate The Fairy Forest, it was a chaotic, frantic, and exciting time. At least with all the activity around her, she hadn’t had a lot of time to worry about her books.
Today, everyone’s focus was on getting the church ready for tomorrow’s wedding ceremony. She stared at the balloon arch behind the area where Diana and Ethan would get married. Instead of white or cream balloons, they’d chosen red and gold to match the Christmas theme.
Everything about the room was bright and colorful; from the flower arrangements their mom had made, to the small posies at the end of each row of chairs. If she was getting married, this was exactly the type of wedding she’d choose.
“I picked up the rose petals from the florist,” Penny said. “Can you give me a hand to put them in the refrigerator?”
Taking one last look at the beautiful room, Katie turned to her sister. “Of course, I can. Where are they?”
“In the foyer. There are four boxes, but I’m hoping most of that is packaging and not the actual petals.”
When she saw the boxes, Katie understood why Penny was so worried. The refrigerators in the kitchen were large, but she didn’t know if the petals would fit. “Why did we order so many?”
“Mom was worried we didn’t have enough, so she ordered extra.”
That sounded like something their mom would do, especially when they’d only had a few weeks to organize the wedding. Carrying the four boxes between them, they walked into the kitchen. “I can’t believe Diana’s getting married tomorrow. It only seems like yesterday that Ethan proposed.”
Penny smiled. “A four-week engagement wouldn’t be most people’s idea of planning ahead. When you meet the man of your dreams, set a wedding date that’s at least a year in advance. I don’t know if Mom will survive another whirlwind wedding.”
“Especially straight after Diana’s.” As Katie squeezed a bag of petals onto a refrigerator shelf, Barbara raced into the kitchen.
“Have you seen Diana? She was supposed to be at Mom and Dad’s place half an hour ago.”
Katie frowned. “She isn’t here. Maybe there was a holdup with the cake? Megan’s been busy with all the Christmas things she’s baking and may not have finished decorating it.”
“I’ll try Diana’s cell phone again. Where else was she going?”
“To the dressmaker,” Penny said. “But the appointment was two hours ago.”
Katie looked at her sisters. “You don’t think there was a problem with her gown, do you?”
“I have no idea.” Barbara held her cell phone up to her ear. After a few seconds, she dropped it back into her pocket.
“No luck?” Katie asked.
