Val's Prayer by Terry Fowler

Author:Terry Fowler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-07-23T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

Maddy brought her bride out on Saturday morning, and the woman fell in love with the Japanese garden.

“It will be even better by your wedding day,” Val promised.

“I can’t imagine that,” Leah Bainbridge said, looking around at the perfect arrangement of water, stones, and greenery. “Do you live in the house?”

Val shook her head. “My family lives elsewhere on the property.”

When the woman looked surprised, Val fought back the temptation to explain the recent acquisition. She’d learned the less said, the better.

“And this garden is available on the fourth Saturday in August?”

“It is. We’ve only recently begun booking weddings. You’re our second bride.”

“Second? I don’t—”

Maddy interceded quickly. “Val worked as my assistant for years. She knows the business inside and out. In fact, I depended on her to procure the best venues. She does a masterful job. I’m so thankful she’s started this business.”

“Your Wedding Place will do everything possible to fulfill your needs,” Val assured her.

Leah nodded. “Is it possible to have the reception here as well?”

“We could set up tables and chairs around the area after the ceremony. Or, we plan to bring in a large tent for a wedding the weekend before yours. We could make that available for your use.”

The woman looked at Maddy.

“The tent sounds like a perfect solution. We’ll discuss it further and get back to you.”

“I’ll e-mail you the cost sheets,” Val said.

After the women left, Val felt a huge sense of accomplishment. She hadn’t even opened for business and already had two bookings. That certainly boded well for the future. The desire to share the news with someone was strong. Opie had left for New York that morning, and her mother had gone with Heath and Jane to run errands after driving her to the airport. Without thinking, she dialed Russ’s number.

“Hi. I just booked my second wedding. It’s the week after Kelly’s, but we’ll be able to use the tent set up for both weddings. I’m so happy.”

“I can tell,” Russ said. “Hang on.”

She listened to the music for a couple of minutes before he returned. “Sorry. I had a client on the other line.”

“I caught you at a bad time. I’ll let you—”

“It’s okay,” Russ said. “I have to get some information together and call back. Would you like to go out tonight and celebrate?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitation.

An unfamiliar feeling of anticipation filled Val that night as she walked into the living room to await Russ’s arrival. She’d found herself going back and forth ever since she’d said yes, wondering if she’d made the right decision.

She wore one of the sundresses she’d bought on the recent shopping trip along with a pair of sandals. Her freshly washed hair hung down her back.

When Russ rang the bell she greeted him and accepted the bouquet of spring flowers he offered. “I should have done this when Kelly booked.”

“Before or after I bit your head off for telling her my business plans?” Val asked with a grin.

“Maybe before if I’d been faster on the draw,” Russ countered with an easy smile.

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