The conversation shifted to logistics—the practical details that made events run smoothly. Who was bringing what tomorrow, what time everyone would arrive, and a backup plan if the snow continued falling. Susan made notes, adjusted timelines, and mentally rehearsed the setup sequence.
“I visited the barn yesterday,” Kathleen said thoughtfully. “It’s bigger than I remembered. When I was there for a fundraiser last spring, it felt a lot smaller.”
“Carol said they cleared out the furniture that was stored there,” Lynda explained. “Everything has been moved to a temporary building behind the kennels. The barn’s completely empty except for the stage area and the old wooden beams.”
Susan remembered the beams from the pictures she’d found on the animal shelter’s website. The massive timbers stretched overhead, rough-hewn, and solid. They’d been part of the original structure when the barn was built decades ago, before Carol transformed the space into a community gathering place for fundraisers and events.
“We’ll wrap the beams in evergreen garlands,” she said, making another note. “If we keep the decorations simple, the architecture will speak for itself.”
“What about lighting?” Isabel asked. “The barn has big overhead lights, but they’re pretty harsh.”
“We’re turning those off during the ceremony and reception. Mabel Terry is lending us portable heaters and standing lamps. Combined with the fairy lights and LED candles, it should create the right atmosphere.”
Lynda picked at her sandwich, her appetite clearly gone. “What if something goes wrong? What if the heaters don’t work, or the weather gets worse, or?—”
“Then we’ll handle it,” Susan interrupted gently. “Between the four of us and everyone else’s help, we have decades of problem-solving experience. Something will go wrong because it always does. But we’ll fix it, and you’ll never know the difference.”
“She’s right,” Kathleen said. “Isabel and I have been to enough weddings to know that the bride never sees half the crises that get resolved behind the scenes.”
Isabel nodded. “Remember Jennifer Martin’s wedding at the Welcome Center? The one where the caterer from Polson showed up three hours late?”
“I don’t remember that,” Lynda said.
“Because Susan, Kathleen, and Andrea handled it,” Isabel said triumphantly. “Jennifer had only ordered finger food, so Kathleen and Andrea raided their food cabinets and refrigerators at their cafés, and Susan picked up the food. Jennifer didn’t know anything had gone wrong until she returned from her honeymoon.”
Lynda smiled. “And now we have Paul to help, too. He looks at Susan as if she’s a special ray of sunshine that lights his life.”
“He does not,” Susan protested weakly.
“He absolutely does,” all three friends said in unison.
Susan busied herself with her herbal tea, avoiding their eyes. Yes, she and Paul had grown close. Yes, there was something developing between them, something tender and new and terrifying. But discussing it four days before Lynda’s wedding felt like tempting fate.
“We’re not talking about my relationship status right now,” she said firmly. “We’re talking about transforming a barn into an amazing wedding venue.”
Kathleen laughed. “Fine. But after the wedding, we’re revisiting this conversation.”
They spent the next hour discussing each detail. Susan filled her notebook with additional notes, minor adjustments, and last-minute considerations. This was what she’d always loved about event planning, the satisfaction of organizing chaos into something beautiful.
Outside, the snow continued its steady descent. Through the café windows, Susan watched it accumulate on sidewalks and car hoods. It was four days until Christmas Eve. Four days until one of her best friends married the man of her dreams.
“I should get back to the clinic,” Lynda said reluctantly, checking her watch. “I have a cat neuter at two and a puppy vaccination at three.”
“We’ll meet you at the barn tomorrow morning,” Isabel confirmed, gathering her scarf and coat.
Kathleen began clearing plates, stacking them with practiced efficiency. “Nine o’clock sharp. Dress warmly. Until the barn reaches a pleasant temperature, it can be chilly.”
Lynda’s phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen and frowned.
“It’s Matt’s daughter,” she said, her voice suddenly tight. She answered quickly. “Hi, Stephanie. Is everything?—”
Susan watched the color drain from Lynda’s face as she listened to Stephanie. Isabel and Kathleen froze, their eyes locked on their friend.
“Which hospital?” Lynda’s hand shook as she gripped the phone. “How bad is it?”
The café seemed to hold its breath. Susan’s heart hammered against her ribs as she waited.
“Okay. Okay, I’m leaving now. Tell them I’m on my way.” Lynda ended the call and stared at the phone in her hand, looking lost.
