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The bride made it safely to the end of the aisle, hugged her father, and took her groom’s hand as the ceremony began. There was a time when there was nothing Hope enjoyed more than listening to the couple recite their vows. After all, it didn’t get any more romantic. But lately, there hadn’t been time to enjoy the details of the beautiful weddings she put on. There was just too much to do.
Which was why, as soon as the officiant began speaking, Hope scurried away in the golf cart that she’d recently started using to get from place to place around the ranch, back up to the Barn, where the reception was to be held to double-check with the catering staff that everything was set up. Just as she’d instructed, champagne was poured and ready to go on trays by the entrance. The servers stood by with canapés to keep guests entertained while the newlywed couple went for a few photographs around the property.
Hope did a quick spin of the reception space, a refurbished barn that was her pride and joy and also the reason that her business was booming in the last few years. It was rustic elegance that spoke to the dreams of many engaged couples. It didn’t hurt that it had the capacity for large gatherings, and a wedding coordinator who could handle anything that was thrown at her. She’d come a long way from the little girl who, along with her twin sister, used to beg her parents to help with the few weddings that they’d host on the lawns of their sprawling mountain property. Back then, it hadn’t been a business. Not really. Just a little bit offun money, her mom used to call it. Something to do when things were slow with the ranching business, or more usual, when there was a special request to hold an event on their property. The Turner ranch had always been gorgeous.
And Hope had seen the potential. Of course, not even her grandest dreams could have prepared her for how successful Ever After Ranch would be and just how busy she’d find herself in such a short time.
Satisfied that the reception was ready, Hope gave a few final instructions to the catering staff, who she already knew didn’t need them, and raced back down to the ceremony space just as the officiant was declaring the happy couple husband and wife.
Perfect timing.
She quickly pressed another button on her phone and new music played over the speakers. The crowd cheered and the bride and groom danced down the aisle with their arms in the air, and ever so slightly red eyes, just as Hope predicted.
It wasn’t until hours later, after the photographs, the speeches, and dinner, with the guests all happily dancing the night away on the hardwood floors of the barn, that Hope had a minute to hop in her cart and head back to the ceremony site to clean up any garbage that guests had left behind, pack up the speakers and sound system, and take care of anything else that couldn’t be left out in the elements.
The stars and the moon lit up the night sky and in desperate need to sit down, Hope gave in and did just that. She tipped her head up and let herself take it all in.
When was the last time she’d stopped and just looked up?
She couldn’t remember. But that’s what it was like to build a business. Exhausting. Which would explain why she could barely keep her eyes open. She felt it deep in her bones. An overwhelming exhaustion. It was different than her usual tiredness. Of course, she was taking on more bookings than ever before. Maybe it was time to bring on an assistant.
Or her sister.
Hope almost laughed out loud at herself. There was no way. Nevertheless, it was worth a shot. Well, it was worthanother shot.Still chuckling, she pulled out her cell phone and pressed the button for her twin sister.
“It’s late on a Saturday,” Faith answered. “Shouldn’t you be busy perpetuating the myth of happy ever after and charging tens of thousands of dollars for it while you’re at it?”
Hope shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Hi to you, too, sis.” Where Hope was a die-hard romantic, which had led to the idea of her business in the first place, her twin sister, although identical in appearance, couldn’t be more opposite in her feelings about love and marriage. “So I was thinking…”Might as well get right to the point.
“No.”
“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask.” She groaned and moved the phone to her other ear. “At least wait until I—”
“You’re going to ask me to come home to Glacier Falls and run the ranch with you,” her sister said matter-of-factly. “Just like you always do when I answer the phone at eleven p.m. on a Saturday night. And just like it always is, the answer is no. I hate that shit, Hope. You know that.”
She did.
“But you love me.”
“I do.”
“So do it for me. To help me out.” She knew it was pointless, but she tried anyway. “Besides, it will be fun. We can be the wedding sisters again, like when we were kids.”
It was one of Hope’s favorite memories, when their mother would dress them up in frilly dresses and give them baskets of flower petals to throw on the newly married couples. Guests had loved the identical blonde-haired, little girls. Hope had loved it too. Faith, not so much. But even so, there had been a handful of times when Hope had managed to convince her sister from time to time to dress up and reenact their own weddings, taking turns with who got to be the bride and who had to play the groom.
“If you’re trying to convince me, that’s the wrong way to do it.” Faith laughed and then added, “Seriously though, if you need help, Hope, hire someone. Because as much as I love you, I’ll be staying in the city. Sorry.” She actually did sound a little sorry this time. “Put an ad on the town’s Facebook page or something. You’ll get someone.”
“Yeah, maybe. But hey, you can’t blame a girl for trying. Let’s talk tomorrow, okay?” Hope smiled into the phone. Distance and lifestyle may separate them, but they were still close. “Love you.”
“Love you too, Hope,” Faith said. “And Hope? Get some sleep. You sound exhausted.”
She hung up the phone and tucked it away before going to gather up the rest of the things that couldn’t wait until morning. Hope fell heavy into her golf cart and checked the time. There was still at least two hours before she could announce last call. And then she got to start the process of cleaning up.
Hope closed her eyes, but only for a moment. She couldn’t risk falling asleep. Maybe Faith was right; maybe she really should hire someone. She was exhausted already and the wedding season was only just beginning. Before she could talk herself out of it, Hope opened the Facebook app on her phone and typed up a quick help wanted ad.
After all, it couldn’t hurt.
“I’m not sayingit’s not good to have you back…”
