Don't Marry Your Contractor*

Chapter 30 - Set the Date

Present Day:

Later in January, as the two friends were sharing a late lunch, Lena gave Charlotte a nonchalant look. "So, how'd it go up at McCall last week?"

Charlotte sipped her wine and smiled. "Good, we skied all day and didn't hurt ourselves. Justin and I mostly skied together on the blue squares, but a couple of times he took the black diamond skull and cross bones run from the top while I stayed on Main Street. We always managed to meet at the bottom of the lift and ride up together. He really is a pretty good skier you know."

Lena rolled her eyes. "Yes Char, he is, but that's not what I meant. How'd it go visiting your future in-laws?"

Charlotte nodded. "It went great, your dad really did an awesome job remodeling the old cabin. It's way nicer than when we used to go up there as kids."

Lena raised her brows. "Anything else Char?"

"Oh yeah, there was one more thing. You were right of course, your mom offered up your grandmother's old wedding dress."

"And?"

Charlotte reached over to touch her BFF's hand. "And it's lovely, classic and actually almost fits me just the way it is."

Lena smiled broadly and asked. "So you said yes?"

Charlotte nodded again. "I did, I hope you don't mind?"

Lena laughed out loud. "Mind. Are you kidding? That's one monkey off the family's back so-to-speak. Two generations of Crawford women have had to feel guilty about not wearing it."

Charlotte returned the squeeze of Lena's warm hand. "Awesome L. I really do like the dress. I never really thought I'd have anything like it. Always figured I'd get married in my uniform or down at the courthouse like you did."

"Well, I'm glad you're not, and counting on my fingers when you pass that dress onto your daughter it will be her great-grandmother's as well as her mother's dress!"

Charlotte laughed. "One thing at a time L."

"Right, so have you two set a date? Mike and I have to have a bit of time to get the house and garden ready you know."

Charlotte nodded. "Yeah, we thought we take a chance on April, snow or shine."

Lena nodded enthusiastically. "Great, I like it."

Charlotte brought up a calendar app on her phone. "April 15th is tax day, so that is probably bad luck you know. So how about the 21st? It's a Saturday this year."

Lena tapped her own calendar app. "Done and booked. Congrats Char. I know that you are a compulsive planner and all that, but how about you let me, the Matron of Honor take care of the rest of the details?"

Charlotte started to shake her head. "Lena I..."

Lena squeezed her hand again. "Char, I'll let you know if I need any help, but let me do this for you, and my favorite brother."

Charlotte nodded in acquiescence. "Okay, but I insist on paying for everything, and I mean it." Lena laughed. "No problem there Char, I won't argue with that!"