Sher and Lynn listened while Rick and Glen debated on safe places the women could stay for the rest of the week. The ladies vetoed every one of their suggestions. They still insisted on spending time alone, without the men whom they planned to marry soon.
“I guess we need to wait till Brad and Hannah arrive. Maybe they can come up with some better ideas,” Rick said.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. We can go out for lunch and discuss our options,” Lynn agreed.
The four spent the next few minutes discussing where to eat for lunch. They all loved Mexican food, so they agreed on that. One decision made, at least.
Just as Lynn and Sher finished cleaning the kitchen, the doorbell rang. They looked at each other and grinned.
“Looks like Brad and Hannah made good time,” Sher announced.
Glen had already opened the front door, and everyone hugged the arriving couple. Although Hannah was over four months pregnant, it was barely noticeable except for the motherly glow. Save for the small bump in her belly, she was still trim and fit as ever.
Brad rolled Hannah’s suitcase inside and placed it out of the way. From the look on his face, he wasn’t too happy with Hannah. Brad had tried to get Hannah to change her mind as they drove to Colorado Springs, but Hannah’s stubbornness won out.
“Just in time!” Lynn said. “We decided to eat Mexican while we discuss our dilemma.”
“I’m all for that. I am always hungry,” Hannah said, and the group laughed.
They all packed into Rick’s SUV and drove to their favorite restaurant. Soon after they’d settled into a large corner booth and placed their orders, the conversation moved to the living arrangements for the next few days.
Glen spoke first on the topic. “Brad, everything Rick and I suggest gets turned down by Sher and Lynn. We’re hoping you or Hannah can come up with something that’s agreeable to all parties.”
“We might be able to help. Hannah and I talked about this on the drive here—after she repeatedly rejected my attempts to get her to stay home, mind you.” He gave a look to Hannah, eyebrows raised, then he turned back to Glen. “Glen, you and Sher close on your cabin tomorrow, right? Why don’t you see if you can close today? If so, we can move Sher’s belongings into the cabin this evening.”
“Great idea, I’ll call and see if that’s possible,” Sher replied and got up to make the call.
When she returned, it was obvious that she did not have good news. She sighed then said, “Not only can we not close today on the cabin, but the closing has been postponed for three days. So I guess we need to keep thinking.”
Hannah spoke next. “That was our first choice, but we also came up with an alternate method. Go ahead and tell them, Brad.”
“Well, I just finished constructing and furnishing a large cabin outside of Woodland Park. They are supposed to have an open house starting in two days. I could postpone the open house by telling them I found a problem that needs fixing, that they can have the cabin for their open house the day after the wedding,” Brad suggested.
“Can you do that, really?” Sher asked hopefully.
“Sure I can. I have thirty days to turn it over, and maybe while you three women stay there, you can help to make it homier. Nothing time consuming, just a touch here or there. There are still boxes of décor and other supplies in the basement, stuff we fellas weren’t too sure what to do with,” Brad said.
“What do you two think?” Sher asked her friends.
“I think it sounds perfect. It can’t be traced to any of us, and as long as we aren’t followed, we should be safe,” Lynn answered.
“I can see one problem,” Sher added. “We still have a little shopping to do before the wedding. We’d have to come down to the springs to do that. Wouldn’t that be taking a chance?”
“Exactly how much shopping?” Glen asked.
Sher thought before she answered. “We need to find a veil for Lynn, and both Lynn and I need shoes. We also have to buy the wedding party gifts for the maids of honor and the best men. Is that about it, Lynn? Is there anything you need to take care of, Hannah?”
Hannah shook her head and said, “No, I’m all ready for the big day.”
“I think that covers everything, Sher,” Lynn said.
Rick frowned as he glanced over at Glen. Sher saw that Glen wasn’t too happy either.
Glen finally said, “There is no way you three are going shopping alone.”
“We can and we will, mister,” Sher said firmly.
Hannah, always the peacemaker, said, “Why don’t Lynn and Sher write down some ideas for the maid of honor and best man gifts? We can all go to the mall, and Brad and I will purchase those while Glen, Rick, Sher, and Lynn shop for shoes and the veil. Would that work?”
Lynn thought for a minute, and then said, “I think that will work as long as Rick stays far away while I decide on my veil.”
“Good, and thank you, Hannah. We now have a plan,” Rick said with a smile.
“Then after the shopping trip, we promptly go back to Lynn’s and gather our future brides’ belongings and get them to the cabin,” Glen reminded them.