Free Pint of No Return by L.M. Fortin

prior to their trip.  Or maybe the mother and sister would induct Audrey into the convoluted traditions of an Indian wedding.
    “Well, with that small of a crowd, we have a lot more options than the hotel,” said Callie.  “Let me check around town and see what’s available in the February time frame.  Do you need any help with a dress or choosing colors or any of that?”
    “I’m going to Portland for my first dress fitting next week,” said Audrey.  “For colors, I think I like black and silver.  That seems sort of timeless and classic.”  Neither Callie nor Audrey mentioned the trendy teal and pink overtones from her first wedding, but Callie knew they were both thinking of it.  Some things were better left in the past.
    “Great choice.  At this stage what else can I do to help?  As you said, it’s not your first rodeo, so I can’t imagine you need much assistance.”
    “I need both the planning help and the moral support,” said Audrey.  “Sometimes it feels like this town is just filled with spiteful, gossiping women.  I think they are staring at me wherever I go.”
    Callie laughed, trying to reassure her friend.  “They’ve been staring at that red hair for years.  What makes you think they’d stop now?  If he makes you happy, ignore them and get on with your life.”
    “He does,” said Audrey.  “I don’t think I was ready to marry someone like him years ago.  I had some growing up to do.”
    Callie thought that sounded like a good start for a second marriage.  “How about we get together for coffee downtown and go to Faber’s to check out invitations?”  Faber’s was one of Callie’s favorite places in town.  Not only did they carry wedding invitations, but also stationery, blank journals, and other office supplies.  Callie always thought of it as a store full of potential.  All of those items patiently waiting for someone to throw a party.  Another Skinner institution that hadn’t changed much from when she was a kid.  She loved the smell of paper and ink that wound throughout the store.  “Then we can also touch base on a timeline.  I’ll have some suggestions of where to hold the wedding by then.”
    “Callie, I can’t thank you enough,” said Audrey.  “You have taken a load off of my mind.”  They arranged a date and time.  “See you next week,” she said and hung up.
    Callie didn’t think weddings were easy, by any means, but she was surprised Audrey thought she needed help with such a small function.
    Grandma had listened unabashedly to the phone call.  “It’s that dentist, isn’t it?” said Grandma Minnie, whose gossip chain was exceptionally well informed.
    “Yes.  I guess that will suit her more than a policeman,” said Callie.  “She asked me to be her wedding planner.”
    Callie remembered how helpless Audrey had seemed sometimes while they were in high school.  That was in contrast with the often fearless personality she showed when leading Callie into trouble.  But the damsel in distress act had always worked on Scooter McMillan and it looked like it worked now with Callie, too.  There was just something helpless in her voice that brought out a protective instinct in Callie.
    That reminded Callie about Scott.  Text messages be darned.  What was up with him?  It was now evening and she’d heard nothing from him.  Even if he had ended up in court all day, certainly he’d be done by now.
    After dinner, when she was alone in the cottage, she dialed his number.  It rang and just as she thought it would go to voicemail, Scott answered. 
    “Hello?”  His voice didn’t sound like the Scott of last night.  He sounded cool and impersonal.  Maybe he had answered the phone without looking to see that it was her.
    “Scott?  It’s Callie,” she said.
    “Yes, I know.  What can I do for you?  I’m sort of in the middle of something here.”  So much for not knowing she was calling.  She got the impression that no