Kate assembled garlands on the arches and adorned the table inside the gazebo with a lace tablecloth, fresh roses, and some candles. Then she drove out to the ranch’s entrance, cleaned off the wrought iron gate, and set it to open automatically. With only a half hour left, she showered and changed into one of herI’m an interior designer, not a rancheroutfits.
When Cassie Coleman and her mother stepped out of their black BMW, Kate greeted them, ever so professionally, with a folder of wedding packages information in hand. Cassie was a thin bleached blonde with oversized sunglasses, impractical heels, and a designer purse that screamed: I overpay for status symbols. Her mother, although no longer as thin, mirrored the rest of her daughter’s traits. She had long pink manicured nails and immaculately applied matching lipstick.
Kate had seen these sorts of women every day in Seattle. Occasionally, she’d even been one of them. Now that life seemed so long ago, and she was surprised to find she didn’t really miss it.
At any rate, the Colemans were perfect clients. They obviously could pay a lot for a wedding, and if they chose Coyote Glen, they’d probably want the most expensive package.
Kate took them around to the backyard. “The lawn has room for a couple dozen tables with chairs, and space left over for a serving area and a dance floor. We’ll use the field to the right of the house for parking.”
The women strolled around, discussing the view. They weren’t nearly as impressed with it as Kate thought they should be. Cassie loved the cottonwood trees in the yard but wished the hills in the background were greener—which, yeah, didn’t everyone? Welcome to the desert. Mrs. Coleman adored the rosebushes but wished the gazebo was bigger. Cassie liked the garlands enough to take pictures of them but complained about the way her heels sunk into the lawn.
Kate smiled through it all. “I’ll have a carpet for your walk to the altar.” Mental note: buy a carpet.
Mrs. Coleman glanced over the pricing sheets. “What’s this ten percent discount offer?”
“Since I’m always looking for publicity, if you tag Coyote Glen on your social media posts and someone books from that, you and your friend will both receive a ten percent discount.”
Mrs. Coleman shut the information packet and turned to her daughter. “Well, I guess you need to decide whether you want an outdoor wedding or a church wedding. Churchesaremore traditional.”
Mrs. Coleman sounded like she was leaning toward the latter. Time for self-promotion.
“Church weddings can be lovely,” Kate agreed. “But if you go that route, make sure you have an experienced photographer who can work with indoor lighting. You know how flash photography washes people out.” She gestured to the sky. “Outdoor lighting an hour before sunset is the best. And if you got married then, your guests will experience a romantic sunset as you celebrate your union.”
“With a church,” Mrs. Coleman pointed out, “you don’t have to worry about rain.”
Kate waved away the woman’s words. “I wish we had to worry about rain more. It sure would be easier to feed the cattle, but in Arizona, there’s not much chance of that.” The packet already stated if rain was in the forecast, she would provide tents. She didn’t bring that up, though. No one wanted to get married in a tent.
“And you should see the stars out here,” she added. “They’re magical. Seriously, I thinkmagicalis the best way to describe the ranch. From here on out, sunsets and starry nights will always symbolize your love.”
A noise came from the front of the house: the hum of a vehicle coming down the drive. Kate wasn’t expecting anyone, and Gary never had visitors. If Landon had decided to drop by, he would have texted her.
And then she remembered that Gary had said cattle were coming soon. This must be a trailer. It didn’t sound loud enough to be a big trailer, but even a few head were great news. Gary was pulling through. She refrained from running off to check on the animals. The Colemans might not understand that sort of behavior.
Her next thought was that this was a bad time to unload cows. She’d promised the Colemans a romantic and magical place, one guaranteed to make good memories. Their last impression of Coyote Glen shouldn’t be a bunch frightened cattle emerging from a dusty, manure-laden trailer. Especially when Kate had just compared Coyote Glen to a symbol of the bride and groom’s love.
Definite point in a church’s favor. It could cost her the sale.
Mrs. Coleman gave the yard a last look. “Thanks for showing us around. We’ll let you know our decision.”
The two women headed toward the side of the house. Gary had been in the barn when the Colemans arrived and it was in plain sight from the front of the house. Kate needed to buy him some time to unload the cattle so the trailer could leave. She followed after the women. “Would you like to see the inside of my home?”
Mrs. Coleman stopped, unsure. “Why would we need to see that?”
“In case you have to use the kitchen or the guests need to use the bathroom. I always take clients inside.” Since the Colemans were her first clients, it wasn’t untrue.
The two women exchanged a glance. “Okay,” Cassie said.
Kate took them in through the kitchen door, thankful that she always kept the place clean. Or at least she’d thought she’d cleaned. Once she stepped into the kitchen, she remembered she’d left eucalyptus cuttings all over the table. The scissors and ribbon were out too, along with a can of Dr. Pepper. “Those won’t be here on your big day,” she said.
Kate said the same thing when she showed them the bathroom. She’d cleaned it after the Gunthers left but had forgotten to put away the bottle of toilet bowl cleaner and the Windex. They sat in the middle of the counter like a tacky centerpiece.
It was obvious she hadn’t planned on showing anyone these places and the women were probably wondering why she had.
“Any questions?” Kate asked brightly.
Both women shook their heads. “Again, thanks for the tour.” Mrs. Coleman and her daughter strolled toward the front door. Not nearly enough time had passed to unload cattle and get rid of the trailer.
Kate followed after them. “Would you like valet parking for your guests?”