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“He said he hasn’t dated at all.”

“I believe him,” Maggie said. “Justin even said he’s never heard a word about Alphé Beaumont, and being the vet, he hears a lot. People think of the vet’s office as kind of the confessional.”

“No way!”

“Oh yes, only Justin hasn’t taken the vow of silence. He tells me everything that’s said.”

“Don’t tell him about the other vet though!”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent in preparation for the party. Gus brought the porta pottie around like he said, and with a helper, got it situated on the dock. The rental company came before sunset and, because the ground in front of the cottage was dry enough, set up the tent with tables and chairs there. It looked so festive with fairy lights and a dance floor. Several members of the wild horse group had organized a band, and they volunteered to play.

Long tables would hold the food. Maggie and Katrina placed stacks of gold paper plates and bowls and gold plastic tableware, glasses and paper napkins.

“I just love how tacky this gold is!”

Katrina decorated the gold paper-tablecloth-covered tables with strands of gold beads, gold stars, gold confetti, and other fun party favors. A giant bouquet of green, purple and gold balloons decorated every table.

The centerpiece of the long table was a huge nativity scene Val Amotte lent Maggie, to remind everyone that the twelfth night was the night the three wisemen visited Jesus.

“Maggie, where are you?” a voice echoed out.

“It’s Gus! I wonder what’s going on,” Maggie said, quickly leaving the tent.

“I brought ice,” he called out. “Ice and this old washtub to hold it and your beverages.”

“Ah, Gus, this is fabulous!” She made over the old washtub up on legs like it was a gift from heaven. “It will be just perfect. Come and see our decorations. It’s supposed to be Twelfth Night but is looking more like a brothel.”

She led him in the tent, and he raved about the transformation.

“This is beautiful! You transformed the tent into a fairyland. I can’t wait for the party. I’d better get back. Grace will be madder than a hornet if I wait till the last minute. We’re bringing your mother and aunt and their men so they don’t have to take up space on your dock with their boat.”

“Oh, that’s so nice,” she said. “Justin said a lot of people from the horse group are riding in on horseback.”

“That will be a sight,” he said. “I’m off. Send me a text if you think of anything at the last moment.”

Back inside the tent, Maggie was in awe. “Katrina, I couldn’t have done this without you. Look at this place! It looks so rich!”

“I wish I would have thought of bringing a gold lame dress,” Katrina said.

“Do you have such a thing?”

“No, but I could have bought something. Look. Here are extra gold paper tablecloths. We can wrap ourselves in gold!”

“I’m all for it,” Maggie said.

“Yoo-hoo! Oh my god, look at this place!” Kelly and Annie walked in. “Wow, you two outdid yourselves.”

“Did you come back here to check on the doggies?” Maggie said. “I could have done that!”

“It’s fine. We came out with Gus and the porta pottie. We fed and walked them and will be back tonight,” Kelly said. “This is just amazing!”

“We should all wear gold,” Annie said, looking around in amazement.

“We just said that,” Maggie said. “I’ll remember for next year.”

The women left to catch up with Gus. “I guess we can take a break before we have to get dressed.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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