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“I mean I’m not going to be here that weekend,” she said. “I’m sorry, Lil. It’s just bad timing.”
“But you’re the best decorator around,” Lily said. “How am I supposed to find someone else at short notice?”
“I really am sorry, Lily. I know it’s going to make it hard for you, and believe me, I could use the money. But you know what it’s like when you’re studying. You have to attend whatever events the college organizes. You have no choice.”
Lily stared glumly at the floor. “I know,” she said at last. “Don’t mind me. I do understand.”
“I hope you find someone,” Alisha said sympathetically. “I’ve tried to think of someone else who could do it, but everyone I know is busy with something else or wouldn’t have a clue how to do it.”
Lily sighed. “Maybe I’ll be lucky and Jesse will have the barn ready early. Then I could go out early and do it myself. That’s the best I can hope for.”
The conversation moved on to other things, and then Lily headed for home, still wondering how she was going to manage the catering, the serving, and the decorating without Alisha.
“What’s the gloomy face about?” Bec asked as she walked through the door.
“Alisha can’t help me with the Johnson party,” Lily said. “She has to go away for some study thing the college has organized.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Bec helped herself to a choc-chip cookie from the jar on the kitchen counter. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
“What can I do? I can’t just manufacture another Alisha out of thin air.”
Bec studied her for a moment. “I could do it,” she said around a mouthful of cookie.
Lily stared at her in surprise. “You? How?”
“Well, I’m owed a day off work for all the overtime we did a few weeks back. I could go in and do the decorating while you set up for the party. I think I could make it look pretty.”
“You’re not bad at it,” Lily admitted. “You did a good job of your room.”
Bec grinned. “I’d actually like to try out a few ideas of my own. Who knows, I might get old and want to do something besides gardening one day.”
“It could be a career option in the future,” Lily agreed.
“So, am I hired?” Bec asked, wiping cookie crumbs off her mouth..
“You are.” Lily smiled. “Would you be willing to help with the serving as well? Alisha usually does that on the day, too.”
Bec paled. “Serve? Wouldn’t there be meat?”
Lily burst out laughing. “Of course. You mean you won’t even serve it to other people?”
Bec shook her head. “Oh, no. Not this little vegan. I couldn’t bear to think of some poor creature on a plate being served to the guests.”
Lily was silent for a moment. “How’s this for an idea?” she asked. “I can probably get someone else to help with the serving as well, and they can deal with the meat. You can serve the vegetarian food and the desserts. And do the decorating. Would that suit you better?”
Bec looked relieved. “Yes, it would. Then I won’t be guilty of carrying around some poor dead animal on a plate.”
“I’m not sure you need to feel guilty about it,” Lily replied. “But whatever. I’ll just appreciate whatever help you can give.”
“Thanks, Lil.” She grinned. “This is going to be fun.”
“I hope so,” Lily said grimly. She had misgivings about Bec taking Alisha’s place, but she had no other options.
“It will all work out fine,” Bec said confidently. “Just wait and see.”
Lily eyed her thoughtfully but said nothing as she tried to ignore the warning voice in her head that reminded her of all the other times Bec had said the same thing. There was one thing she could be sure of, she thought wryly. With Bec around, there was never a dull moment. It was more like a wild ride through the canyons of hell.
The thought almost made her chuckle, and Bec looked at her suspiciously.
