“We still have to find a caterer?”Diana asked.
Penny nodded.“The hospitality class at the church is already booked for a large Thanksgiving Day celebration.I called a couple of businesses in Polson and they’re the same.”
Anne moved closer to the laptop.“How many guests are coming?”
“Sixty-four,” Penny replied.“We could always have a barbecue dinner.It would be easier to organize than anything else we’ve looked at.”
“That wasn’t what you and Wyatt wanted,” Barbara reminded her.
“But it might be the only thing we can organize on our own.”
Katie frowned.“What about Kathleen?She helps Megan and Brooke at Sweet Treats.I was talking to her daughter the other day and she said her mom’s an incredible cook.Maybe she could help us.”
Penny still looked worried.“She might not have the time.”
“We won’t know until we ask her.”Barbara pulled her laptop closer and added another task to the spreadsheet.“I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
Anne smiled.“I worked in a restaurant while I was at college.If I’m still in Polson, I could come back and help her.”
Katie smiled.“At least we have another possible catering option.What else do we need to do?”
Barbara was glad her sister had asked.If they didn’t tick everything off the list, Penny’s dream wedding wouldn’t be anything like she’d imagined.
CHAPTER 10
The following evening, Theo looked to his right and smiled.Barbara had borrowed his mountain bike and was cycling beside him.With the half-marathon only a few weeks away, any training he could squeeze in was a bonus.
“I don’t know how you can be so relaxed,” Barbara said as she changed gears.“Most people would be out of breath and looking forward to the end of the run by now.”
“I’ve always liked running.How’s the mountain bike?”
She groaned.“I should have listened when you warned me about your hard, pointy seat.”
“What’s your bike like?”
“A lot different than yours.I had a few custom features added.”
Theo smiled.“Like a padded gel seat?”
“How did you guess?”
“It wasn’t difficult.”He checked his watch.Considering the pace they’d set, he was doing a lot better than he expected.Some of that was because of Barbara.As they’d followed the dirt path, she’d told him about her favorite biking trails in San Diego.It made the time go faster and distracted him from the parts of the trail that were harder than others.
Barbara pedaled faster as they worked their way over a ridge.“Have you heard from your lawyer?”
Theo dug deep and focused on placing one foot in front of the other.“He’s meeting Steve McGibbons’ legal team tomorrow.”
“On a Saturday?Isn’t that a little unusual?”
“Not for New York City.We’re hoping the defamation charges will be dropped.”
“That would be a relief.What about the tax evasion charges for Steve McGibbons?”
“The IRS has started an investigation.”
When they reached the rail at the top of the ridge, Barbara climbed off the bike and took a deep breath.“This view is spectacular.”
Theo stretched his calf muscles and frowned.The lake spread out before them, glistening under the last rays of the sun.A year ago, he would have given everything he owned to be standing here.Now, he wasn’t so sure.
