Love After All
Page 25

She looked over at Jane, who was equally wide-eyed.
“Wow” was all Chelsea could manage.
“You were right,” Jane said. “The transformation is amazing. And so elegant. You’d never know this was a barn.”
They made their way to the back of the barn, where Samantha stood talking to Pepper, the wedding planner, whom Chelsea had met several months back when Des had started talking about wanting to do the event in the barn.
Back then, Chelsea had wondered if Des was out of her mind, but she told Pepper—and all of them—that she had a vision. Logan loved this land, and she had fallen in love with it as well. She didn’t want a fancy Hollywood wedding or something out of the country. She wanted to get married on this land, with all of Logan’s family and friends present. Des thought the barn was big enough to accommodate all their guests and could be converted to a reception area, with the ceremony taking place just outside.
“This looks amazing,” Jane said.
Pepper smiled. “Thank you. We’re still setting up outside, and flowers won’t be brought in until tomorrow, but I think it’s fantastic. Des’s vision was perfect.”
“I can’t wait to bring the flowers in,” Samantha said. “I’d love to stay and visit, but I need to finish everything up back at the shop. I’ll likely be working all night.”
Chelsea worried about Samantha. She spent so much time working, then taking care of her grandmother. And she did it all on her own.
“Do you have someone to help you?”
Samantha nodded. “Yes, I’ve got a couple of people to assist. I’ve been working on it awhile now.”
Chelsea was relieved to hear that. “If you need anything, Sam, you holler, okay?”
Samantha hugged her. “Thanks. You’re a good friend. I’ll see you all later.”
“If you head out the main doors there,” Pepper said to them, pointing, “you can see where the wedding ceremony will take place.”
“Great. And this really does look wonderful.”
“Thanks. If you’ll excuse me, I have a million things to do.”
“I’ll bet you do,” Jane said. “Let’s go, Chelsea.”
They headed toward the doors and pushed them open.
“Wow again,” Jane said. “Look at these stone walking steps. It’ll look beautiful tomorrow when Des walks from the barn to the altar.”
“And speaking of the altar, have you ever seen anything more beautiful?”
It was a charming, rustic archway, grand in scope and flanked by the most stunning twist of corkscrew willow she’d ever seen. The chairs had been set up, and she could already envision Des walking down the aisle.
“Samantha said she had a flower setting for the top—all coral and white roses. And Penny said they’re tying in the white silk along the sides tomorrow. I can’t wait to see it.”
Jane nodded. “This wedding is going to be perfect.”
Chelsea’s phone buzzed. She looked at the display. “Martha said the ladies from the nail salon are here.”
“Let’s get back to the house.”
They ran into Callie and Sarah, Colt and Tony’s good friends.
“I hear you’re doing our hair and makeup for tomorrow,” Chelsea said.
Sarah grinned. “We’re so excited about this.”
“We’re excited to have two Hollywood stylists doing our hair and makeup,” Jane said.
“But first, nails, so excuse us.”
They made their way into one of the back rooms, where Filomena was already setting up with her crew.
Filomena had been doing Chelsea’s nails for years. She was one of the best, and, in fact, had originally hailed from New York City. Des had tried her out on numerous occasions and had asked her and her crew to do the manis and pedis for the wedding. Filomena happily agreed. Her own daughter, Connie, had recently gotten married, so she filled them in on her wedding while they sat and were pampered by Filomena’s staff.
“What about Jeff Armstrong?” Jane said to Emma while they were getting their nails done.
Emma blinked. “What?”
“The doctor.”
“I know who he is, Jane. I just don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh. Sorry. I was just zoning out here and I started thinking about Chelsea’s list. What about Jeff?”
“Don’t ask me,” Emma said. “Ask Chelsea.”
Since she’d been listening in anyway, Chelsea thought for a minute. “I hadn’t thought about Jeff. He’s nice. But he works crazy hours at the hospital.”
“What she’s trying to say is there’s no chemistry there,” Megan said. “I just don’t see the two of you together. Which doesn’t mean it couldn’t work. You should ask him out, Chelsea.”
“I am not asking him out.”
Emma frowned. “Why not?”
Chelsea shrugged. “I don’t know. Besides, like I said, he’s not on my radar.”
“Well, honey, you have that list and you’re not dating anyone at the moment, so somebody needs to get on your radar.”
She knew that. She’d been trying. “I’ll start working on the list after the wedding.”
“What are you all talking about?” Penny asked.
“Chelsea has a list of qualities she’s looking for in her ideal man,” Des explained to her sister.