Fear of Falling by Catherine Lanigan

invitation.
    â€œThey want a June wedding? Is that enough time?”
    â€œNot really. I told Katia that, but she said she didn’t care. My bet is there won’t be a tent available within three hundred miles of Indian Lake. We may have to rent out of Ohio.”
    â€œEvery chair and table and linen will be rented. Not to mention glasses and china.”
    â€œI thought of that, but they’re using Hannah’s dishes, serving pieces and stemware. Even the tablecloths and napkins. They won’t all match, but that’s kind of the beauty of the whole thing.”
    Olivia grabbed a legal pad and started making notes. “Austin’s kitchen is large enough that we can work there.” She glanced up at her mother. “Has Katia talked about the menu yet?”
    â€œWe’re batting around ideas. Nothing concrete yet, but she’s leaning toward rack of lamb. With only forty people, it’s not such a big production.”
    Olivia tapped the pencil against her cheek. “Staff. We’re going to need a bartender and then two people for pickup and cleaning.” She paused, thinking of Austin’s housekeeper. “Will Daisy be a guest?”
    â€œYes. I didn’t even ask. Katia made it clear that Daisy wasn’t to work that day.”
    â€œFlowers. Cake? I assume Maddie will make the cake.”
    â€œCorrect,” Julia replied and finished her cappuccino. She scrolled through her photos. “This is the cake Katia wants. Isn’t it gorgeous?”
    The three-tiered cake resembled a stack of gifts, complete with white bows, icing roses and latticework decor. “It’s magnificent. Have you talked to Maddie yet?”
    â€œShe sent me a text and said it was no problem.”
    â€œMaddie is so talented. She could create anything. After that Chanel purse cake she made for Mrs. Beabots’s birthday party last year, I thought I’d seen it all. Apparently not.”
    â€œKatia is meeting with the florist this week. I’ve hired the musicians. That leaves the photographer.” Julia stared at Olivia with a long, penetrating gaze.
    Olivia knew that look. It was the one Julia threw at her whenever she elected Olivia for a specific job or task. It was decisive and final. Once Julia made up her mind, she was unwavering.
    Olivia threw up her hands. “Oh, no.”
    â€œNo one in town can shoot a wedding like you. That is, when you deign to do so.”
    â€œWeddings are so boring,” Olivia groaned.
    â€œLook, I’m not relegating you to a lifetime of wedding photography. I know you have high aspirations. It’s just this one...”
    â€œImpossible,” Olivia said sternly. “Besides, I have to either be the photographer or the caterer. I can’t do both.”
    â€œI know that. So you’ll be the photographer. I can hire someone to help in the kitchen. This is too important. Katia wants you to take her engagement pictures, the formal wedding pictures, rehearsal dinner, showers if there are any and all the candid shots of the ceremony and reception. We’ll need a videographer, too.”
    â€œThat’s a lot of work.”
    â€œCommensurate with the fee she’s paying.” Julia smiled.
    â€œShe really wants me this much?”
    â€œThey both do.”
    Olivia was flattered, and the praise and acceptance created a warm feeling inside her. It had been months since anyone had acknowledged her talent professionally. Her girlfriends were always very sweet about the Christmas pictures she shared with them or the group shots at birthday parties. Julia was right. Austin and Katia could hire a photographer from Chicago or even New York if they wanted. But they didn’t. They wanted her.
    â€œLet me see what I can do about a videographer. I know a good one out of New Buffalo, and if he’s booked there’s that guy from Indianapolis that Sarah hired,” she offered. “You’re right, Mom.