Page 17 of All Because I Found You

“I appreciate your help, as always,” Raelyn said, gathering her planner.

“Hang on. Let me just take a picture of your sketches and pictures so I have reference points.”

“Have at it.”

Isla held her phone above each piece of paper, framing the shot just right before snapping the picture. “And done. These will be a great help, and if I have questions, I’ll call you.”

“Sounds good. Now I have a bride to go calm down.”

“Show her the pictures. That should help.”

“Only because you think flowers fix everything.”

“Because they do.”

Raelyn laughed and waved as she made her way through the shop. The door opened, and Isla’s dad, Mr. Garrick, stepped aside and held the door for Raelyn.”

“Always a gentleman. Thank you, Mr. Garrick.”

“Have a nice day, Raelyn. Try not to melt out there.”

The hot, humid air hit her in the face like a brick wall. “I’ll try not to.” Though there was absolutely no guarantee that she wouldn’t. She could feel the heat on her face and pretty soon her makeup would put up a fight against the humidity.

Hopefully, the temperatures would cooperate and cool off in time for the wedding. Or Nicole and her guests were going to be puddles of sweat. Unless…

Raelyn got in the car and grabbed her planner and pen. She swiped over to her to do list and jotted down: Look into fans and portable AC units. Then she left her bag in the car while making a quick dash into Pie in the Sky to grab a few cups of a coffee.

By the time she made it to the barn, only twenty-five minutes had passed from when she hung up with Nicole. She was there first and got out to walk the grounds. Definitely not to look for a certain Grumpy McGrumpster who looked way too good in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

Just as she was about to make her way inside, a car pulled up and Nicole jumped out. Raelyn met her with a coffee—a caramel macchiato, Nicole’s favorite—and turned to the barn. “Now I know it doesn’t look like much right now, but open your mind to all the possibilities. Can you do that?”

“I think so.”

“Good, let’s get started.” Raelyn brought Nicole through the barn and pointed out all the ideas to turn her wedding into something people would talk about for years to come. She amped up the excitement, hoping it would help ease Nicole’s mind a little more. “So what do you think?” Raelyn asked after going over every little detail down to the silverware and napkins.

Nicole patted her head with a napkin. “This weather is oppressive. What happens if the humidity doesn’t break by the wedding?”

“I’m already looking into ways to battle the heat.”

Nicole inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “You really are on top of everything.”

“It’s my job.”

“It all sounds amazing. I’m still not sure how this”—Nicole motioned her hand around the barn—“will transform into everything you said, but I have one hundred percent faith in you to make it happen.”

“Now, I hope this has eased your worries a little.”

“It has. It seems like you have everything under control and I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

“It’s totally understandable. We got a real curveball with the hurricane taking out your venue the way it did.”

“I still can’t believe it. Months and months of planning down the drain.”

“That’s okay. Your wedding is going to be better for it. So you go home and not worry about a thing. Deal with your mother-in-law, and I will deal with everything else.”

“Can we switch?”

Raelyn shook her head and stifled a laugh. “Mother-in-laws are where I draw the line.”

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