A Groom wirh a View

it’s a social requirement—without the bother of making a lot of decisions and having her time taken up.“
    “You’re sure she means that?“
    “I am. She gave me the name of a caterer, a seamstress, and a florist she likes and said everything else is up to me. She’ll supply the guest list, the china and silver patterns she likes, and will pick the day. There isn’t even going to be a hassle over renting space because she’s having the whole thing at some sort of hunting lodge that belongs to the family.“
    “A wedding at a hunting lodge?“ Shelley yelped with laughter. “I love it. Bridesmaids influorescent orange. Gun racks for wedding gists. Do you suppose the groom will wear one of those checkered hats with the earflaps?”
    Jane bridled. I think it’s a very nice hunting lodge. Livvy told me it used to be a monastery.”
    Shelley slapped both hands over her mouth to stifle a shriek of glee. “Oh, it’s too good to be true!“ she said when she finally got herself under control.
    “So you agree it’s a good idea?“
    “It’s a bizarre idea, Jane. A wedding in a monastery-turned-hunt-club. But too much fun to resist. I capitulate. I endorse this heartily. You go, girlfriend.“
    “And you’ll help me, right?“ Jane asked.
    Shelley instantly stopped laughing.

One
    April

    It was very early in the morning, but the station wagon was loaded to the gunwales. Jane had all her notebooks full of lists, and a suitcase full of clothes for the couple days she’d be at “command central,“ a.k.a. the hunting lodge né monastery. She double-checked her notebooks while Shelley stumbled about sleepily putting her few belongings in the car. It was only about an hour and a half drive, but Jane didn’t want to have to waste time coming home for anything she’d forgotten.
    “I still don’t quite understand why we have to go up there a couple days early,“ Shelley said with a fairly ladylike yawn.
    “Because there’s a lot to do on site,“ Jane answered.
    “ ‘On site.’ My, that sounds professional,“ Shelley commented. “I have to admit you’ve been pretty cool about this whole thing. I expected a lot more whining.“
    “I don’t whine,“ Jane said. “Well, not as often as I might. It’s just a matter of being really organized. I appreciate your coming along to help out at the end though.“
    “So what’s the plan?“ Shelley asked as they buckled their seat belts and Jane handed her a map. Shelley held it out in front of her at a significant distance. Jane considered opening a discussion about bifocals, but decided it wouldn’t be politic when Shelley was being helpful.
    “Today we just look everything over,“ Jane said. “I’ve got a rough sketch of the house plan, but I’ve never actually been there. I drove out there last week, but couldn’t get the guy who lives there to come to the door. I should have called ahead.“
    “Somebody lives in this place?“
    “A man Livvy calls ‘Uncle Joe.’ A family retainer who takes care of the building and grounds. For the time being, at least. The place is scheduled to be torn down this summer to put in a country club. Let’s see—what else is happening today? The caterer is coming to look over the kitchens and move in his own cooking paraphernalia and the food, and the florist is also coming out today to figure out where to put all the arrangements. Then there’s the seamstress.“ Jane waved good-bye to her mother-in-law, who was staying with the children while Jane was gone, and pulled out into the street.
    “ The seamstress is coming early?“
    “Well, that’s the only problem I foresee,“ Jane admitted. “You see, the bridesmaids’ dress aren’t done yet. I’ve nagged and nagged and s] keeps assuring me they’ll be finished, but I have my doubts. So I insisted that she bring her sewing machine up to the lodge to finish them so I can stand right over her and keep on nagging,“
    “And maybe have to finish the dresses yourself?“ Shelley said. Then her eyes widened. “Of You think I’ll finish them!“
    “It had crossed my mind,“ Jane said, grinning “You’re awfully good at sewing. Much better than I am.“
    “Jane, you know I don’t sew! When have you ever seen me with a needle and thread in hand?“
    “But you’re so good at everything,“ Jane said with gooey sweetness.
    Shelley snorted. “You don’t have to bribe me with false flattery. I’m already what did the place look like? I’m a bit wary