CHAPTER 5
Lynda balanced at the top of the ladder, stretching to secure a string of twinkling lights to a wooden beam. The cavernous old barn at the edge of Sapphire Bay had been used for community events for decades. Transforming it from a blank canvas into something magical for the fundraiser was proving to be a challenge.
“A little to the left,” Carol called from below, squinting up at Lynda’s handiwork. “We need to make sure the lights cascade evenly across the dance floor.”
“Like this?” Lynda asked, shifting the strand of lights.
“Perfect!” Carol smiled for what seemed like the first time that afternoon. “You’re a lifesaver. I don’t know how I would have managed all this without your help.”
Lynda carefully made her way down the ladder. “Happy to help,” she said, meaning it despite her aching shoulders. “Though I’m pretty sure I’ve hung more fairy lights in the past two hours than I have in my entire life.”
She surveyed their progress. The barn was slowly being transformed. White fabric draped from the ceiling beams, creating the illusion of clouds, while the lights twinkled like stars above what would be the dance floor. Long tables lined one wall,waiting for the auction items, and a make-shift stage had been set up for the local band who’d volunteered to play.
Carol checked items off her clipboard. “Lights, check. Stage, check. Now we need to finish setting up the tables for the silent auction items and then arrange the hay bales for additional seating.”
“How many people are you expecting?” Lynda asked, taking a sip from her water bottle.
“We’ve sold over two hundred tickets,” Carol said, her pride evident. “It’s our biggest turnout ever. If the auction goes well, we might raise enough for the new kennels.”
Lynda knew how badly the shelter needed the renovations. The current kennels were functional but outdated, and they needed proper isolation areas for sick animals. The barn fundraiser was their best chance at gathering enough money to make it happen.
Carol frowned. “The only thing I’m worried about is the weather. If the storm comes through like it’s supposed to, it might stop people from coming to the barn.”
From what Lynda had heard, a little wild weather wouldn’t stop anyone. “Everyone’s super excited,” she reassured Carol. “I don’t think anything will stop the community from supporting the animal shelter.”
“I hope you’re right.” Carol straightened her shoulders. “But I can’t let that worry me. We have a fabulous venue and lots of donated prizes for everyone.”
“Including a basket of books from Isabel,” Lynda told Carol. “And Kathleen’s giving us a ‘coffee and pastries for a month’ package from her café.”
“That’s wonderful,” Carol said as she wrote the donations on her clipboard. “The community’s support has been amazing.”
The barn door swung open, flooding the room with late afternoon sunlight. Lynda’s heart jumped when she saw Matt standing in the doorway.
“I can’t believe how good the barn looks,” he called out as he made his way toward them.
Lynda tugged self-consciously at her old t-shirt, suddenly aware of how hot and sweaty she must look. Her hair had mostly escaped its practical bun, and she’d long since abandoned her sweater in the unseasonable warmth of the day.
“Matt! Thank goodness,” Carol rushed over to him. “Please tell me you brought the updated auction list.”
He pulled a folder from under his arm. “Brenda ran after me when I left the clinic without it. Is she here yet?”
The barn door opened again, and Brenda hurried inside. “I hope I’m not too late.”
Carol gave her friend a quick hug. “Your timing’s perfect. Matt just gave me the updated auction list. We can add some extra gift boxes to the table to match the donations.”
Brenda glanced around the barn, her eyes lingering on the lights above them. “It looks incredible in here.”
“Lynda’s been here since one o’clock,” Carol told her. “She hung all the fairy lights.”
Matt’s gaze shifted to Lynda. The warmth in his blue eyes made her feel oddly flustered.
“You’ve done an incredible job,” he said. “I didn’t know veterinary school included a specialty in event decoration.”
“It was an elective,” Lynda replied dryly. “Right after ‘Dealing with Difficult Cats’ and before ‘The Art of Adding Pills to Peanut Butter.’”
Matt laughed, the sound echoing pleasantly in the barn. “Well, they taught you well. This place looks completely different.”
“It’s still a work in progress,” Lynda said, gesturing to the stacks of hay bales yet to be arranged and the tables pushed against the far wall.
