Free For Better or Hearse by Laura Durham

binders so complex that they’d required a separate index.
    I stood up to greet her. “No problem. We were looking at some of the newest linens. Should we wait a few more minutes for Bill?”
    Pam flushed and shook her head. “He can’t make it. An important meeting came up at the last minute. You know how that goes.”
    We knew. An important meeting had come up when we’d gone on site visits, met with caterers, and interviewed photographers. He’d stayed at the invitation appointment long enough to veto the gorgeous letter-press invitation on handmade paper that Pam liked and to insist on traditional Crane’s cards with black engraving. I, for one, wouldn’t miss him.
    Richard cleared his throat. “Annabelle and Kate told me that you want to have a classic garden party.”
    â€œEvermay is such a perfect place for our wedding reception,” Pam explained. “The mansion is beautiful, of course, but we fell in love with the tiered gardens and the fountains. Since it should still be nice weather in October, Bill and I thought it would be fun to have a jazz ensemble playing as guests wandered around. We want it to be simple and elegant.”
    Simple and elegant. These were words almost every bride uttered, and each meant an entirely different thing by it. I’d learned early on that what was simple and elegant to one bride was simply awful to another.
    Richard clapped his hands together. “Fun you say? I’m getting a vision of something truly fun and fabulous. Envision canopies with huge lounging cushions tucked around the gardens. I’m picturing using hot pink, mango, and yellow as a modern twist on the autumn palette.” He unfurled the shimmery pink and orange cloths from his arms. “Tell me this isn’t to die for.”
    Pam rubbed the organza between her fingers. “I never thought of using bright colors. Bill usually likes white for everything. It’s simpler, you know.”
    Kate rolled her eyes at me then turned to Pam. “I’m sure Bill will love whatever you choose. Why not have a little fun with your wedding?”
    Pam smiled tentatively and eyed the fabric again. “It’s a possibility.”
    â€œOr we could go with something totally different.” Richard tossed the organza overlays to the side and ran to the racks of linens. He pawed through brocades until he reached a matte gold cloth. “What about an evening in Tuscany? We do lots of rich brocade cloths and use the existing stone tables in the gardens as bars. We can have lemon topiaries and use rustic pottery for serving platters.”
    â€œThat sounds nice, too. We are going to Italy on our honeymoon.”
    â€œPerfect.” Richard pulled the gold brocade down and threw it over a bare table. He rushed to the other side of the room and plucked a chunky wine goblet and gold glass base plate from the wall display. “Wouldn’t this be divine?”
    Pam tilted her head and examined the table. “That’s another possibility.”
    I interpreted her hesitant look. “Maybe something a bit more streamlined, Richard?”
    He frowned at me then pulled a green toile cloth from the racks. “Do you have a stopover in Provence on your honeymoon, perhaps?”
    â€œNo, but that’s pretty.” Pam reached out and touched the linen. “It’s very gardeny.”
    Richard threw the toile over the brocade and placed a white grape leaf plate and green glass on top. “You can’t get more gardeny that green and white toile. We could use these on all the outside tables.”
    â€œMaybe, but the fabric is a little busy. There are shepherds and sheep on it.”
    Richard’s mouth fell open. “That’s the whole point of toile—”
    I cut him off as I walked over to the linen racks and pulled down a pink and green plaid cloth. “Plaid is simpler, but still has a garden feel to it. Where would you