Midlife Love Story

“That’s one way to think about it. Another, is if you want the best chance of relationship success, take the wedding money and buy a house or invest it.”

“How romantic,” I said sarcastically, barely able to hide my eye roll.

“Maybe not romantic, but most relationships end because of communication or money problems. This eliminates at least one of those issues, and it’s more romantic to stay together than get divorced isn’t it?”

My lips curved into an unconscious smile. “When you’re right, you’re right, Mr. Mayor.”

“Now we’re talking.” He smiled and gave the barn one final look before he followed me out. “What’s next, invitations?”

My laugh echoed in the grassy field as we made our way towards he golf cart parked on the paving stones that lead to other parts of the property. “Today is strictly venues.”

“Only venues? You said she wanted a barn.”

I laughed at his accusatory tone. “She does, but Pippa still hasn’t narrowed down her dates, and if this barn is booked by the time she decides, she’ll need a backup venue.”

“A backup venue.” He said the words like they were a fatal disease diagnosis. “Okay,” Chase sighed. “Where to next?”

“Here,” I said with a smile and stopped the golf cart. “Margot calls this The Chapel, and it’s a beautiful non-denominational church building with stained glass, cushioned wooden benches and everything a happy couple needs to get that church wedding feel.”

Chase stepped out of the cart and came around to help me out, such a gentleman, before he turned to the building. “It’s beautiful alright, a work of art, but why isn’t a regular church good enough?”

“Most of the time, it is. But The Old Country House is meant to be a multi-functional event venue, so guests don’t have to do a lot of traveling from the wedding to the reception, which only increases the cost for the person opening their wallet.”

Usually it was the bride’s family, but these days it was the whole family, or just the couple footing the bill. “And some couples who don’t have a church or a pastor of their own don’t want to jump through the hoops often required before a certain clergyman will perform the ceremony.”

His brows furrowed. “Really?”

“Yes. Some require marriage counseling or proof of faith, all kinds of things. This is just to give our clients more options.” And the space was so gorgeous many couples chose it without any religious bent to their wedding ceremony. “What do you think?”

“It’s a work of art, like I said. Visually stunning, and would be good for pictures, I imagine. But if the barn might be too small, this is definitely too small.”

I nodded. “Exactly what I hope you’ll tell Pippa when she inevitably falls in love with the stained glass.” Every bride fell in love with the space and tried to figure out how they could make it fit with their ideal wedding.

Chase’s lips tugged to one side in a crooked grin. “I promise.”

“The next space is off-campus. I’ll drive.” I headed back towards the golf cart when I realized Chase wasn’t close. “What’s wrong?”

“I thought the point of this space is so you don’t need off-campus locations?”

I nodded. “That was the pitch made by Margot, not me. I’m an event planner, and I try to give my clients whatever they want that’s within my power, even if that means leaving The Old Country House.” Margot and I argued about it plenty, but it was unreasonable to expect every single bride to choose between her options, amazing though they were. “You coming?”

He nodded and grumbled something under his breath too low for me to hear, so I feigned ignorance. Eventually he joined me in the cart and we drove back to the main entrance where my Escalade was parked. “That’s your car?”

I nodded. “Something wrong with it?”

Chase doubled over and laughed. “Not at all, it’s just what is a little bitty thing like you doing driving the equivalent of a monster truck?”

I laughed. “It’s hardly a monster truck, just bigger than the pickup trucks you boys are so fond of driving. Unlike those boys, my car serves a function. Lots of room for event cargo.”

He eyed my car with great skepticism before turning his green gaze to me. “You need help getting in?”

“No, I have a step ladder in the backseat.” I laughed at his shocked expression. “How little do you think I am Chase?”

He shrugged as a pink blush stained his cheeks. “Small enough that I believe there’s a stool or ladder in the back to help you inside.”

“Wanna bet on it?”

He thought about it for a long moment and then shook his head. “I’m learning not to bet against you Carlotta.”