“I get it,” Mia said, smiling slightly. “I guess I’m just a little over zealous. I’ve never really had family around, other than Momma.”

“Let’s just enjoy our week together and see how things go, okay?” Kate said, trying to buy some time.

Mia nodded. “No pressure. Really. I know this is new for all of us.”

“So, how is business going with the B&B?” Kate asked, happy to change the subject.

“Good, I suppose. I mean, we get the same folks year after year, which is great. But, I’d really like to grow the business. Maybe branch out a bit.”

Kate took a bite of her salad and was pleasantly surprised. “Branch out how?”

“Well, I’d love to start doing weddings.”

“You’ve never had weddings there?” Kate was surprised about that.

“No. Momma was always scared to do them. They’re such a big commitment.”

“Much like marriage,” Evie said with a laugh.

“True. There’s just a lot to do with setting up the area for the ceremony, catering, music, taking care of guests… I’d want things to be perfect for the couple, but me doing all of that alone is impossible.”

Kate knew exactly what went into a wedding. She’d planned a few for friends, and she’d certainly handled her fair share of wedding receptions. There were a lot of moving parts, which meant a lot of room for errors too.

“I saw a gazebo on the cove of the lake. Seems like that’d be a perfect spot to have the ceremony. That flat area would be great for chairs, and you have some shade from the trees there too.”

Mia smiled. “Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.”

“Side effect of the job I have. Oh, and that huge back patio would be great for the reception. You could easily put tables there, have the food inside and get a portable dance floor for the garden area next to it.”

“That all sounds great in theory, but I don’t have the expertise for all of that. I’m a little overwhelmed now that Momma’s gone. She could run the place in her sleep. I have to think about everything now.”

“Maybe you could hire someone?”

Mia shook her head. “I wish, but I know we don’t have the extra money for that.”

“Hey, hey, hey!” a woman said from beside them. She had a mane of thick, dark hair, a very 90s retro outfit and a big smile on her face. Mia stood up and hugged her.

“Ladies, this is my best friend, Raven. This is my new sister, Kate and her daughter, Evie.”

“Wow! So nice to meet you guys. Mia was super pumped when she found out about y’all. Welcome to Carter’s Hollow, by the way.”

She pulled up a chair, turned it backwards and straddled it.