Kelly set upthe table where the cake would go and had the linens delivered to the ballroom. Emma worked alongside her, putting tablecloths on the tables Kelly had already set up. The wedding was more on the upscale side, so they were also organizing the place settings and cloth napkins.
“We need one table that’s absolutely perfect so that when we get some help setting up tomorrow, everyone knows what it should look like,” Kelly said.
Emma moved things around the table, lining them up perfectly with the chairs they had placed around it. Then she stuck her tongue out in thought and held up her hands, pressing her index fingers into her thumbs, making a circle with them while the rest of her fingers remained straight.
Kelly furrowed her brows, watching as Emma then moved a few things around the table before stepping back and smiling brightly.
“Perfect,” Emma said.
“It looks great,” Kelly said. “But what were you doing with your hands?” She imitated the way Emma held her hands up, and Emma laughed.
“My daddy taught me that. It’s the best way to remember where the cup and bread plate go for each person. See?” She held her hands up again, showing the circle she created with her index finger and thumb on her left hand was part of a “b” for bread, while the one on the right hand was part of a “d” for drink.
Kelly’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as she stared at the place settings. “Wow. You learn something new every day.”
Emma only giggled. Then they moved over to hang a few decorations the bride requested with the couple’s name on them. Emma handed things to Kelly as Kelly stood on a stepladder and attached them to the wall.
“Are you having fun in Wintervale?” Emma asked.
Kelly smiled down at her and took another glittery letter from her to hang behind the cake table. “I am. Do you enjoy living here?”
“Yes, it’s fun. All my friends are here. Are you moving here?”
Kelly sighed. “I wish I could, honey. But it’s just not in the cards for me right now.”
“Why?”
“I have a job back home I need to get back to.”
“Oh,” Emma said softly. “I’m going to miss you.”
Kelly stepped off the stepladder and knelt down to Emma’s level. “I’m going to miss you too, but we can always write and call each other.”
Emma’s eyes lit up. “Really? I can send you pictures. I’m really good at coloring.”
“I’d like that very much.”
They hugged before Kelly stepped back up onto the stepladder to continue hanging letters.
Emma did a great job following directions. Kelly suspected it had to do with going to the restaurant with her dad a lot growing up. They worked for a few hours before they both were too tired to continue.
“I’m hungry,” Emma said.
“Me too. Let’s go see if we can talk your dad into making us something yummy,” Kelly said.
Emma’s eyes widened, and she nodded excitedly. The two of them left the ballroom and walked back toward the restaurant. She was done for the night. Tomorrow, some of the staff would come in and help her get the rest of the tables set up. But she was happy with the progress she had already made.
Ava stood in front of the restaurant looking at a menu, but she gave it back to the hostess when she spotted them.
“Hey! How did setting up go?” she asked.
“Good. With Emma’s help, I was able to make a small dent,” Kelly said. “How was the hike?”
“It was challenging, but good.” Ava’s eyes moved to Emma. “Your uncle is a tough cookie on those hikes.”
“Uncle Ethan is a badass.” Emma threw her fist in the air.
Kelly and Ava both looked at her in shock.
Emma’s smile dropped, and she looked around with her eyes wide. “Daddy said that’s a bad word. I forgot. Please don’t tell him.”
Her pleading eyes had Kelly biting back a smile. Ava snorted.
“Your secret is safe with us, kid,” Ava said.
