“Have you talked to your fiancée about asking me to organize your wedding?”
A blush streaked across his brother’s face. “I want it to be a surprise.”
“A surprise?”
“Like in, “Good morning, Ashley. We’re getting married today. Here’s your wedding dress.”
“Are you crazy? No one does that.”
Matthew paced back and forth. “I’m desperate and Ashley’s stressed. We need help.”
“Why can’t I help both of you?”
“Because her stepmom will get involved and then we’ll be right back to where we are now. It has to be a surprise.”
Sean didn’t want to upset his future sister-in-law. “I know you think this would solve all your problems, but it won’t. Apart from not knowing the first thing about weddings, it’s one of the busiest times on the ranch. I don’t have time to organize a wedding.”
“The ranch hands are here and I can do a few extra hours. Ashley has already spoken to some people in Bozeman, so it wouldn’t be like you’re starting from scratch. Their business cards are in the back of the scrapbook.”
Sean turned to the last page. At least Ashley was organized. The cards were listed alphabetically by business name. “Do you have a date for your wedding?”
“It wasn’t supposed to be for another twelve months. That’s why no one has their invitations yet. But with everything that’s happened, the sooner we get married, the better.”
“How soon are we talking?”
“Six weeks.”
His brother was seriously delusional if he thought he could organize a wedding in that time. “Have you booked anything?”
“We’ve booked a room for our engagement party, but nothing for the wedding.”
“I didn’t know you were having an engagement party.”
Matthew shrugged. “Ashley and I have both been busy, but we decided it’s now or never. The large meeting room at the church is available on July 16. I told Ashley I’d organize everything. All she has to do is show up.”
Sean counted out the weeks. “You want to replace the engagement party with your wedding?”
“That’s the idea. I’ll tell Ashley on the morning of our ‘engagement’ party that we’re getting married. We can tell our guests when they arrive at the church about the change of plans.” Matthew looked incredibly pleased with himself. “Don’t frown. It will work.”
“Ashley won’t speak to either of us again. This is her big day we’re talking about.”
“It’s turning into her worst nightmare.” Matthew pointed to the scrapbook. “The contact details of Ashley’s preferred florist, caterer, and reception venue are all in there. It shouldn’t take too long to book everything.”
Sean didn’t like the pleading look in his brother’s eyes. Matthew was the most easy-going person he knew and nothing, barring a wedding that was going nowhere, worried him. “You’re forgetting the most important thing. Compared to other cities, there aren’t that many people in Bozeman. If I’m running around, organizing the wedding, someone will find out and tell Ashley or someone in her family. It’s not much of a surprise if the bride knows what’s happening.”
“She’s leaving for New York City tomorrow. Her editor wants her to write a feature article on an experimental drug that everyone’s raving about.”
“How long will she be gone?”
“About two weeks.”
Sean thought of all the things that could go wrong. But, compared to what was happening in the rest of the world, they weren’t important. “Okay, I’ll give it a go.”
Matthew rushed forward and hugged him tight. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”
“Don’t get too excited. What if the caterers and reception venues are fully booked?”
“You’ll come up with another plan.”
