Maddie chuckled. “That’s complete bullshit. I told Stuart and Jai that because I didn’t want them to panic. I’ve had to twist like a thousand arms to get any appointments at all. Jai was in charge of looking into venues, and let’s just say it’s lucky Stuart wanted that barn so badly. Most places have been booked for months. I mean, really—is there a single place in the US where Valentine’s Day isn’t a major wedding day, let alone in a town known for the holiday?”

She laughed, pleased with Maddie’s deception. “You’re a good friend.”

Maddie smiled. “I try to be.” She indicated the swatches. “Okay—so I assume we’re doing red tablecloths with white napkins?”

“Or how about white tablecloths with red and pink napkins?”

“Both?”

“Great idea—let’s do half and half. Which fabric do you like?”

Maddie shrugged. “I don’t really care. You pick.”

She fingered the different reds, deciding on a heavy satin finish for everything. The price was a little higher, but nice linens made everything classier. She deferred to Maddie’s eye to choose the colors closest to the flowers.

They spent the rest of their time moving quickly through the list, occasionally debating on choices but compromising fairly quickly—she winning on the chairs (birch Chivari), Maddie on the tables, which, she rightly pointed out, would be covered with tablecloths, and no one would know they were cheap plastic. They chose relatively simple glassware and plates in midcentury, clean lines and spent a little more on nicer flatware. They found a nice bar that would suit the space, on the smaller side, but big enough for the somewhat limited beverages their friends would be serving.

Maddie generally deferred to her in terms of the quality of items, but Ryann let her make decisions in terms of style. They worked well and efficiently, finishing long before their hour-long appointment was up. Finished, she rang the little bell at the front, Maddie using Jai’s credit card to put down a deposit. She called the florist before they went back into the cold to give her details about the number of table arrangements they would need.

Outside, the sun, for once, was hidden behind some low clouds, and Maddie stared up at it, shading her eyes.

“Uh-oh. That’s not good. I haven’t been paying attention to the weather, but that looks like snow, for sure.”

“Should we try to move the appointment with Erin?”

Maddie eyed the sky a moment longer. “We’ll be okay. Probably have another hour or two before it starts.”

Back in the Bronco they drove back toward town—faster than usual, she noticed but didn’t mention.

“I can’t believe Stuart is letting us choose the drinks,” she said instead.

“Right? Or Jai. That man likes liquor more than food, and that’s saying something.”