“That was kind of him. What time did you get to sleep?”
“A little after two. We found the missing teenager, so it was worth it.”
“That’s grand. Mary slept through the night, so I’ll count that as a win, too.”
Sean looked around the barn. “Where’s Mary?”
“Molly’s looking after her. I didn’t bring her with me because I thought there’d be a lot more work to do than there was. The volunteers Pastor Steven organized only took an hour and a half to take down the garlands and lights.”
“Did they remember to put Claire’s fairy lights and other decorations in a separate area?”
“I hope so. I thought I’d visit the church before I go home to make sure they’re where Claire expects to find them.” She sniffed the air and sighed. “What did you bring with you?”
“Huckleberry muffins drizzled with milk chocolate. Emily gave them to us yesterday morning, but we didn’t eat them. I thought you might like to share some with me.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She pointed to an old wooden seat leaning against the barn wall. “Let’s sit there. Did you have anything to do with the barn being so tidy?”
“I did, but it was a team effort. The last people to leave helped us stack the chairs and move the tables. Liam, Nathan, and I did the rest.”
Becky took the muffin Sean held toward her. “Thanks. It made a huge difference having everything ready to go.”
“We were hoping it would. Have you heard from Adam?”
“He called just before I went to bed. It sounds as though Edith’s sister died a couple of years ago. That could have made her issues worse. Adam was hoping her legal team would check on her or at least send the police.”
“It can’t be easy having an addiction issue, but she shouldn’t harass you.”
Becky swallowed the first delicious bite of the muffin. “I know this sounds daft, but seeing Edith like that makes it easier to understand her. She’s a sick woman.”
“A dangerous woman.”
“That, too. I sent Adam a copy of Edith’s voicemail message. He’s confident it will stop the guardianship issue going before a judge.”
“How does that make you feel?”
Becky sighed. “I should be relieved, but I won’t believe it until it happens. What’s to stop another relative coming out of the woodwork and doing the same thing?”
Sean held her hand. “I don’t know, but you’re the person Jamie and Sophia chose to look after Mary. They trusted you and no one else. That has to count for something.”
“It counts for a lot.” Becky looked over Sean’s shoulder and smiled. The father of one of the brides was walking toward them.
“We’re off now,” he announced. “We’ll leave the tables and chairs at the church before going to Happy Petals. Thanks again for flowers.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll text Laura and she’ll meet you at the store. I hope both families have lovely weddings.”
“Thank you. If you ever need anything, just ask.”
“I will.”
The families sent Becky and Sean a friendly wave before leaving the barn.
When the sound of their engines receded into the distance, Becky leaned against the wall. “Less than twelve hours ago, the barn looked like a French castle. Now it looks like an ordinary barn.”
Sean grinned. “We could always hold themed dances out here and dazzle everyone with our decorating technique.”
“I’m not sure Todd would survive having random strangers wandering around his ranch.”
“Or Sally. The noise would keep her awake and she’d be grumpy.”
