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The Magnolia Cafe(58)

By:Kay Correll


“That’s okay, Bella. It would have been lovely at your house, and you’ve done so much to help me with all of this. I’m okay with moving it indoors.”

“Izzy, you know that the only thing that really matters to our Jenny is that she’s finally getting to marry Clay. She’d marry him anywhere, right?” Becky Lee looked at Jenny.

“I would.” Jenny smiled.

“Well, we can use that cute brick storefront on Main Street. Next to Doc Baker’s. It’s for lease, and I talked to the owner. It’s empty, and he was thrilled to let us rent it for the day for just a small fee to cover utilities. He still has them turned on while he’s showing the place, so he was glad for any income. It’s just down the street from Sylvia’s Place for the reception.”

“That sounds perfect. I never doubted you’d have a backup plan in place.” Jenny nodded.

Natalie came over to their table. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No, we’re fine.” Bella sighed. “We’re just talking about moving Jenny’s wedding inside. Going to move it to that storefront near Doc Baker’s, the one for rent. You know the one?”

“That used to be Milly’s Alteration Shop. It does have those nice big windows in front, and the brick walls. I bet it could be made up to look really nice without much trouble.”

“So, you want to run over there with me and brainstorm?” Bella looked at Natalie. “You were great with ideas for Keely’s cafe. I could use someone to bounce ideas off of. We don’t have much time.”

“I could do that. I’m just finishing up my shift. Let me grab my raincoat and we’ll run over there.”

“Jenny, you want to come?”

“Becky Lee and I are meeting Mother at Sylvia’s Place for a last run through of the details of the reception.”

“Okay, you do that, and we’ll go see what we can do with Milly’s place. Don’t worry about a thing. I promise I’ll make it fabulous.” Bella intended to keep that promise. Jenny and Clay had waited years to get married and she would give them no less than a magical, wonderful wedding. No matter what.

~ * ~

Natalie was surprised to see the rain had let up a bit. She stood under the overhang of Millie’s shop while Bella opened the door with the key the owner had given her. She followed Bella inside.

Bella flipped on the lights, and Natalie looked around the bare room. It was a good size, certainly big enough for the small wedding that Jenny had planned. It needed a good cleaning though.

“So, what do you think?” Bella walked across the empty room, her steps echoing on the old wooden plank floor.

“It can work. I think it will be all about the lighting and flowers.”

“I have an arbor my brother Gil made us. I bet we could still use it in here. Run white holiday lights through it. Twine some greenery through the arbor.”

“If we go with simple and rustic, I think we can make this work.” Natalie walked over to the brick wall. “Put the arbor here. Maybe flowers on each side of it? Then the aisle would stretch out that way. If I remember right, there’s a room over to the side? Milly kept her finished orders in there. Then Jenny could enter from that room?”

“That should work perfectly.”

“I have white wooden chairs rented, I’ll change the delivery from my house to here.” Bella started jotting down notes. “Oh, and get the flowers delivered here.”

Natalie walked back towards the front windows. “Sure is getting dark outside. The wind is picking up, too.”

“The forecast says we’re in for days of storms.”

Natalie turned back, surveying the space. “Let’s go check that side room and make sure it will work.”

Bella and Natalie crossed to the side room and opened the door. Natalie ran her hand up the wall inside the room and found the light switch. She flipped on the lights. Or should she say light? A bare bulb hung from the ceiling.

“Well, that’s not going to work very well. It’s so dark in here.” Bella peered around the room.

“We could bring in lamps.” Natalie looked around the bare room.

“Lamps. Good idea. Jenny was going to get ready at home, but if it’s pouring down rain, I’m not sure that would work.”

“Well, we could create a cute little dressing area in the corner.”

“Oh, I have the perfect dressing table at the shop. It has a mirror. We could dress up that corner. That would work.”

They crossed the room to the corner. Just then a crash echoed through the shop. Natalie started and grabbed Bella’s arm.

“Sounds like the front door blew open. I’ll go check.” Bella turned away and started across the room.