making sure The Fairy Forest was perfect or getting married.
Ted and Caleb followed them into the main reception area. The boxes they were carrying contained glasses that would hold more than one hundred small candles.
In the center of the room, Elena and Sam were busy covering each long table with white linen tablecloths. Even without the finishing touches, the reception area was looking like the fairytale setting Shelley and Bailey wanted.
Elena hurried across to meet them. “Can you put that table over here?” she asked, pointing to the end of the last table they’d brought inside. “Once we have this row of tables in place, Sam and I will be able to add everything except the red carnations.”
John angled the table toward the others. “Did Daniella mention anything about the lighting?”
“Her friend is arriving first thing in the morning. He’s happy to work around the tables.”
The only unknown factor in all of their planning was the extra fairy lights Daniella’s friend was supplying. John was sure they would look great, but that didn’t stop Shelley from worrying.
With a flick of her wrists, Elena placed a tablecloth on the table. “Be careful of the boxes at the back of the truck. They must contain the plates and dessert bowls.”
“Would you like them in the kitchen?”
Elena looked around the room. “Shelley wanted them placed on the tables. Perhaps if you leave them here, it would be easier.”
“As soon as we’ve finished with the tables, we’ll bring them through.” John turned back to the foyer and smiled. Shelley was walking toward him with another box in her arms.
“Hello, Mr. Fiancé. I heard there’s a wedding here on Saturday.”
He took the box out of her arms. It was heavier than it looked. “That’s what I heard, too. Do you think anyone would notice if we sneaked inside to watch?”
Shelley grinned. “I think they’d be more worried if we weren’t here.” She looked around the room. “You’ve been busy.”
John read the label on the box and placed it on the table. “The truck arrived earlier than we thought.”
Caleb cleared his throat. “Less talk and more work,” he said as he maneuvered another table into place with Steven. “The truck driver wants to leave in half an hour.”
Shelley’s eyes widened. “We’d better get a move on. I’ll give you a hand with the tables.”
Elena tapped Shelley on the shoulder. “But first you will give your mom a hug. How are you feeling?”
“I’ll be better once The Fairy Forest is looking more like a wedding venue.”
“It won’t take long,” Elena reassured her. “We have already made a difference.”
John appreciated Elena’s positivity. It was hard juggling everything that was going on. With the wedding so close, every encouraging word was appreciated.
While Shelley enjoyed a hug with her mom, John returned to the truck. They had another twenty tables and more than a few boxes left to unpack.
It would be a hectic half hour.
The following morning, Shelley walked into The Fairy Forest with Bailey and sighed.
“It looks better than I remembered,” Bailey said softly.
“It does.” Shelley’s gaze lingered over the rectangular tables they’d placed in rows, the pretty glass candleholders, and the gleaming plates and cutlery. It had taken four hours to make the room look this incredible. By the end of the night they were all tired, except Caleb. Shelley was sure he had Energizer batteries hidden under his skin. No matter what happened, he was always ready to start the next task.
The door behind them opened and Daniella stepped into the room. “You’re here early.”
Shelley smiled. “We thought we’d finish as much as we can before the lighting person arrives.”
“That’s a good idea. Pete shouldn’t be too far away.”
Daniella had been a huge help yesterday. With time running out to empty the truck, she’d given them a hand to move the boxes inside. And, if that wasn’t enough, she’d stayed behind to help them tie satin bows around the back of each chair and to make fresh coffee when their energy levels were failing.
Bailey opened a box they’d left at the front of the room. One of the biggest jobs they had to do this morning was make the balloon arch that would be a backdrop to the wedding ceremony. Thankfully, John had rented a small air compressor to blow up the balloons. All they had to do was follow the instructions and their arch would be complete.
“When is the mobile kitchen arriving?” Daniella asked.
“It should be here by ten o’clock,” Shelley said. “The caterers will make