Page 59 of Naughty by Nature

Epilogue

It wasthe day before the shower and all hands were on deck. When Brock had suggested using his wild horse barn for the wedding shower, she’d kind of laughed, not believing him, but it was working out better than she’d expected.

The horses he currently had in training had been moved to the stalls at the back of the barn and he’d blocked off the entranceway to get there. Then he’d dragged most of the sand out of the ring, through the far side opening, and into a huge pile. She didn’t even know how he’d done that. The remaining bit of sand covered a hard foundation of crushed rock, he’d told her, a perfect base for the plywood sheets to create a floor. And as they settled the sheets onto the ground, the sand filled the cracks, so hopefully no wheelchair tires would get bound up.

Chad had warned them that there would probably be people attending with disabilities, so they were doing their best to accommodate everyone. Brock had done an excellent job leveling as much of the area as he could. If there was a doorjamb, he’d built tiny little ramps to go over them. The gravel barn lot had been layered and rolled with limestone crush, which packed down almost like cement.

The rafters of the barn had been hung with lengths of fabric and twinkling lights, and the doorways were all decorated with white tulle, tied back with rustic twine and decorated with white fabric flowers.

The expanse of the barn had been separated into sections by the grouping of the furniture. Directly to the right of the doorway were a couple of tables to hold gifts folks brought for the couple, then a ‘Bubbly Bar’. That had been Payton’s idea. Guests could grab a glass of champagne, beer or soda, and add things to their drinks if they wanted. There were fruit juices and berries for the champagne, oranges and limes for the beer, and cherries and special syrups for the Cokes. Tomorrow there would also be raspberry sherbet party punch for the kids. Cheyenne thought it might end up being a mess, but they’d worry about that later.

The far right of the barn had been set up for the catering. There were giant barbeques parked outside for roasting chickens and ribs. And the caterer would bring an assortment of side items. There would be enough food to feed people a couple of meals, depending upon how long they stayed.

Cheyenne had ordered cupcakes from Sophia’s in town. Sophia herself promised to deliver them early tomorrow morning.

On the far side of the barn, across from the entrance, they’d set up a seating area where people could sit for games. Cheyenne knew Lora was a little more conservative than the Texans who’d be there, so she’d told Payton to keep the games PG rated. Cheyenne had an idea what a couple of the games would be just by what was stacked over there.

Round tables had been set in the middle for people to eat, draped with white table cloths, and she gaped at them all. “How many did you get?” she asked Brock.

“Well,” he said, taking off his hand to swipe an arm across his sweaty forehead. “Chad says he’s bussing down at least twenty-five people, and others are driving themselves. By the time you count our family, the hands, local ranchers, and every curious yahoo from town looking for free beer, I expect to have the better part of two, three hundred people through here. And that might be conservative. So there are thirty tables that will seat ten.”

Yeah, she supposed that was right. The number of big round tables before her just looked like more than thirty.

“They do realize this is just the shower and not the actual wedding, right?”

Brock shrugged. “The round-ups are all done and people are ready to party. July Fourth is next weekend and this is a good lead up to it. Plus, if they show up here, they might actually get invited to the wedding itself.”

They laughed, because that was probably true.

“And everyone likes music and dancing and you girls got a good band to come play. We’re setting up their stage next.”

Cheyenne looked to the other end of the barn, and the expanse of floor left open for dancing and the stage. This was going to be an incredible party.

“Thank you for letting us use your barn. And for everything you’ve done to help us get ready.”

“He’s my brother too.” Brock shrugged and set his hat back on his head. His eyes drifted back to the Bubbly Bar where Payton was setting out champagne flutes. “Plus,” he said slowly, “this is a good practice run. I have a feeling this won’t be the only time it’s used for this purpose.”

And as she looked at Sheridan hauling in another box of table decorations, Cheyenne had a feeling he was right.

* * *

The morning brokein a glorious Texas sunrise, unparalleled in beauty, but in a stroke of luck a slight front had moved through, cooling the area a few precious degrees.

Chad and Lora and their daughter Mercy arrived before noon, and Cheyenne would forever remember the expression on Lora’s face—and Chad’s as well—as they walked into the ‘barn’.

Lora started crying quietly. “Oh…my… goodness…” She turned to Chad and he wrapped her in his arms, murmuring quietly while a gratified smile spread over his face.

Cheyenne glanced at Payton. “I guess we did good.”

Nodding as she pulled from Chad, Lora hugged them both, holding their hands as they wandered around the expanse. She picked up one of the silver painted Mason jars full of baby’s breath and pink carnations. “Did you make these?”

Cheyenne nodded. “Well, Payton and the girls and I did, last week.”

Lora picked up one of the Jenga pieces sitting on a table, then leaned down to read the sign. “Build Memories. Oh,” she breathed, “rather than a registry. That’s so clever.”

She laughed at the ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ sign, and the huge stack of toilet paper rolls beside it. “This is going to be crazy.”

“It will be,” Payton promised.

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