“…then I thought we could set up rows of chairs for the guests under the old oak tree. With the backdrop overlooking the mountains, it will be so romantic.” I conclude my pitch and hold my breath, waiting for the verdict. If the bride says yes, then Rachael and I will live to eat another day. If she says no, then the historic White’s Manor will become a home for wayward mice. Okay, I know that’s being dramatic, but a lot depends on signing our first event. We have a lot of time and money invested, but we’re far from the finish line.

Belinda, the bride in question, circles the renovated timber-frame stable as I gnaw on my thumbnail. Rachael pops her head up in a window of the manor. I shrug and motion for her to get back. I don’t want anything distracting Belinda from focusing on how beautiful it will be to have her wedding at White’s Manor.

Belinda turns, and I feign swatting a bug away. “The stables are beautiful, April. You’ve done wonders with the renovations. And the landscaping is incredible. The work you’ve done so far is spot on.”

“Thanks. My partner and I have worked really hard getting everything just right.” We had, too, even down to the doorknobs. My business partner Rachael and I had searched antique stores, estate sales, and online restoration stores for months to make sure everything we put back into the 1910 home is accurate to the period.

“We plan to hold smaller, more intimate events in the house, eventually, when we’re able to finish, that is.” I try not to dwell on the fact that all the money we had left after purchasing the rundown estate has been spent on the grounds, barns, and stables. We need to replenish the renovation fund, and Belinda’s wedding will help. At least until the quarterly mortgage payment comes due. I’m banking on a full schedule of events next month, once word gets out we’re open.

Until we finish, we decided to open the grounds to events like wedding ceremonies under the old white oak tree, receptions and larger gatherings in the renovated stables. Intimate outdoor gatherings can be held on the three-tier antique brick patio behind the house. There had been plenty of blood equity involved in that project. I can’t wait to have the three firepits blazing on a cool, crisp fall afternoon with guests mingling among the different seating areas while enjoying the spectacular view of the mountains.

“Can we walk through the stables again?” Belinda asks sweetly.

“Of course.” I lead the way over the brick pathway. “As I said, we can seat two hundred comfortably, and if we need to, we can pull tables out onto the paddock area. That will leave plenty of room for dancing near the stage.” I’m proud of how we converted the old timber frame barn into a venue. It had been a wreck. I can see it so clearly, decorated for a wedding reception. Right down to the twinkle lights wrapped around the posts and beams. Rustic elegance.

Belinda spins around in the center of the barn with her arms outstretched and a dreamy look on her face. She comes to a stop and hugs her body. “April, this is perfect. I’m so lucky the desk clerk at my hotel gave me your flyer. I can see myself standing beside Wes under the old oak tree as we become man and wife, with all our family and friends celebrating with us. This is it. It’s everything I’ve been hoping for.”

Yes! I give a virtual fist pump in my mind. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect bride to be our first customer. “I think you’ll be very pleased with what we can offer. Just ask your wedding planner to contact me, and we’ll work together to give you the perfect wedding of your dreams.”

The smile slides from Belinda’s face. “I don’t have a wedding planner.”

The smile on my face feels suddenly staged. Belinda is a young bride, but surely, she knows you can’t have a wedding with over two hundred guests without someone making plans. Even if it’s an Aunt Sue or Cousin Doris. Maybe I just misunderstood. “Oh, is a friend or family member stepping up to take the lead?”

Belinda looks down and stubs the toe of her designer leather boot on the refinished wood floor. “No, it’s just me. And Wes, my fiancé.” Her pleading gaze meets mine. “I was kind of hoping you’d do it.”

My mouth drops open. Suddenly the bright, shiny hope disappears behind a cloud of doom. “Me?” I ask, hoping she’s going to laugh right along with me for misunderstanding.

Belinda plants herself in front of me and takes my hands in hers. How can I turn down the sweet girl looking at me like I’m her last chance at happiness? “Please, April. The vision I have in my head is everything you’ve suggested. I wouldn’t have the first clue how to plan a wedding. I want you to be my wedding planner.”

My soaring spirits plummet. As much as I wish we could, we just aren’t equipped to do so. “Belinda, while we do hope to grow into offering that service…I have to be honest with you. I’ve never planned a wedding.” That wasn’t exactly true. I’ve helped with plenty of weddings, but I’ve never taken the point position.

Belinda’s eyes grow bright and glossy. “But I bet you could. Please! I don’t want anyone else but you.”

Those eyes…I’m caught. I’d felt an instant connection with Belinda, and I don’t want to let her down. But can I do this, and do it well? I take a few steps away and rub my forehead, trying to come up with a solution. I shouldn’t have had that last drink last night. The pain relievers I’d popped this morning are wearing off. “When is your wedding? Maybe I could do some research and…”

“Two weeks,” Belinda mumbles, and nervously pushes her hair behind her ear.

I jerk my head around and catch the rise of guilt on Belinda’s face. No. Not even a young bride could think that was even possible. “Excuse me? What did you say?”

Belinda clears her throat. “I said my wedding is in two weeks. I know that’s really short notice. We thought we’d have longer, but Wes just found out today that he’s being deployed, and we want to get married before he ships out.”

“Honey, there’s just no way anyone could pull a wedding off in that short of a time. With over two hundred guests… I mean, the cost alone would be astronomical. And a band. I’m not sure we could find anyone this late.”

Belinda’s face transforms into giddy anticipation. “That’s no problem. My brother is paying for everything. Cost isn’t an issue for him. He just wants me to be happy. And don’t worry about the band. I’ve got that covered. Some friends have offered to play for us. You and this magical place will make me very happy. Please April, say you’ll do it.”

Cost is no object? That’s a foreign concept. But still…two weeks? I’ll have to call in a few favors. Rachael will do the catering. Mom and Grammy will come in to help with the flowers. Wait. Am I saying yes? It’s not like I don’t feel qualified for the job. “Belinda, I have to be honest here. Your wedding will be the first one we’ve ever held here. We’ve only been partially open a few weeks. We’re still months away from finishing the inside of the house. Are you sure you want to trust me to do this?”

Her head bobs and her lips transform into a wide smile. “We’ll only be using the house for dressing. You said there were rooms finished for that, and the wedding will take place outside, under the white oak tree. The reception will be at the stables. You are the only one I want. Please, April. Please say you’ll do it.”

I look back up the hill at the manor sitting regally at the top. At one time, the White family home had been a showplace. I’ve been in love with the house for as long as I can remember. Even though the house was abandoned and in decline, I’d ride my bike over and sit for hours on the wide front porch, dreaming about the days when the house was in its prime. Imagining women from long ago in their frilly, puffed blouses and tiny waists with ‘hobble’ skirts strolling along the grounds.

Rachael and I both feel a connection to White’s Manor. That’s why we bought it with the intentions of renovating and starting a venture of our own. I’ve been running my family’s florist business since I graduated from college. Rachael has worked at the local bakery for over ten years, basically running it by herself for half that time.

When the house went up for sale, we had no choice. We both felt it in our bones. White’s Manor belonged to us. So, we took a huge leap and made a ridiculously low bid. We were shocked when the offer was accepted. Then the reality of what we’d done set in. The first time we’d taken a contractor through the house for an estimate had been our first major stumbling boulder. But we were determined, and that didn’t discourage us. Instead, we came up with a plan—we’d do the renovation work ourselves. Well, most of it, anyway.

Every spare minute and dollar we’ve had for the past two years has gone into our project. YouTube has become our go-to for learning how to do everything from tiling to refinishing floors. The big things like plumbing and electrical we hired out, but most everything else, we learned through trial and error…lots of errors. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished.

Belinda would be our first client. I can see it going both ways. If we take the wedding on and it’s a success, it will certainly be great advertising. On the other hand, it could end up being a disaster. But what are the odds of that happening? Becoming a five-star event center is why we bought the house in the first place. So, we’ll just move our timeline up. By at least a year. But I know we can do it.

I take one more look at our future, White’s Manor, and take another leap of faith. “Belinda, I will do my best to give you the wedding of your dreams. But we have a lot of work to do. Can you come back tomorrow? We really need to get started as soon as possible.”

“Yay!” Belinda squeals, before running to throw her arms around me. “Thank you, April. I know you’ll make it perfect. I can’t wait to tell my brother. He was supposed to be here with me today, but he had to fly back to California for business last night. He’ll be back tomorrow. Can I bring him by? I know he’s going to love White’s Manor as much as I do.”

I laughed—Belinda’s excitement is contagious. “Of course. I’ll be working in the house, so just come on in and find me.”

“Umm, April.” Belinda’s brow wrinkles as she twists a lock of her blond hair nervously. “About my brother…”

I give an understanding nod. “Overprotective?”

Belinda let out a huge laugh. “You could say that. It’s just the two of us, and well, he can be a bit controlling.”

An overprotective brother could work to our advantage. Besides, I know all about domineering brothers—I have three. “I don’t see that as a problem. We both want you to have a beautiful wedding, so I’m sure we will get along just fine.”