Free The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series by Margaret Standafer Page B

the details.”
    “Have you discussed having the reception here yet?”
    “No, but soon. The time hasn’t been quite right.”
    “Don’t wait too long or she’ll make other arrangements.”
    “Don’t worry, I’ve got it all under control,” Susan grinned. “Did you hear everyone is coming for Thanksgiving?”
    “I did. I was told Thanksgiving dinner will be at Sam’s this year and that the McCabe clan will be dining with the Taylors. My mom already sat us down and told us she expects our best behavior. It’s like she thinks we’re still kids and are going to start a food fight or something,” he grumbled.
    “Oh, McCabe, I’ve seen you and your brothers in action. I don’t blame your mother in the least.”
    “Hah! I bet you and your brothers do the same thing.”
    “Well, I can’t deny that. You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if my mom has the same talk with my brothers before they come.”
    “Should be an interesting day. Do you think everyone will be afraid to talk?”
    “I think we’ll manage. Mia and Karen will have plenty of baby stuff to talk about. They’re due just about the same time and from what I’ve seen from the both of them, it’s their favorite topic, hands down. Brad and Joe will have a couple of drinks, realize they’re both secretly terrified of becoming dads, and will end up admitting their deepest, darkest fears to one another. The rest of the guys will watch football and bond over sports, that’s a no-brainer. And our moms? They are so much alike I give it ten minutes until they’re acting like long-lost sisters. Just be prepared for my mom to pull every McCabe family secret out of your mom. She’s got some sort of weird magic she wields and people are helpless. They tell her everything.”
    Riley just shook his head. She had hit it on the head, he figured, and could envision the day going exactly as she predicted. “I guess I’d better steer clear of your mom.”
    Susan laughed. “I’ll try to get her to go easy on you. Besides, once I put my plan into action, our moms will be busy with wedding business.”
    “Your plan?”
    “Sure, I told you I have it all under control. My plan is to get Sam and Jake to firm up their date when everyone is together. Then I’ll mention the event center and that the B&B will be almost ready to open and that I would love to have everyone stay there as a trial run kind of thing. No one will be able to say no.” Susan was grinning proudly, obviously pleased with her grand scheme and, like usual, not seeing any potential flaws.
    Riley hated to burst her bubble, but felt he needed to be the voice of reason. “Okay, Red, back up for just a minute and let me be sure I’m understanding this. You want to not only have the reception here, but also host everyone at the B&B? Your first guests and your first event all at the same time? Do you think Sam is going to be understanding if everything she has been planning comes crashing down around her?”
    “You have that little faith in me?”
    She seemed genuinely hurt and Riley regretted his words. Softening his tone, he tried a gentler approach. “I’m just worried that both your first guests and your first event are going to be such major milestones that maybe it would be better to space them out a little. You could have the reception here but let everyone find someplace else to stay. That way you could devote all your attention to the reception and not have to worry about keeping everyone comfortable and fed.”
    She still seemed hurt, but now some of the hurt was replaced by the all-familiar fighting spirit. “I look at it this way. Having family here means if I make a mistake or two I won’t have disappointed guests leaving bad reviews on my website. With family, I’d like to think I’d be allowed a misstep without ramifications. What better way to test everything out?”
    “Who’s going to do all the work? You’re the maid of honor. I would guess there are some things in that