LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter One

      Natalie McDowell paced the courtyard in front of the white clapboard barn, her stomach twisted in knots. As the silver BMW convertible turned down the magnolia-lined drive, she swiped her clammy palms against the skirt of her navy blue sundress. You’ve got this. Treat her like any other potential client. Only that was the problem. This wasn’t just any client. Karen Thomas owned Forever Love, North Carolina’s premier event planning firm. She’d asked to schedule a consultation and a walk-through. What did she want with Magnolia Lane?

      Determined to be prepared for any possible scenario, Natalie had stayed up well past midnight, ensuring every inch of the restored livery was fit for royalty.

      Easing to a stop, the woman behind the wheel flashed a bright smile and offered a casual wave. Natalie waved back, silently praying her legs would stop quaking before Karen stepped out of her car.

      “Hello,” the petite blonde called as she emerged, tanned and flawless in her white slacks and silky red blouse. She thrust out a French-manicured hand. “Karen Thomas, from Forever Love. You must be Natalie.”

      “A pleasure to meet you, Karen.” Natalie shook her hand. “Welcome to Magnolia Lane.”

      “Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me today. I’m sure you’re quite busy with fall weddings.” Karen pivoted, scanning her surroundings. “This is stunning.”

      Natalie struggled to maintain her neutral expression. Karen Thomas just called her little old barn stunning. She drew a deep breath and gestured toward the building and adjacent courtyard. “We’re very proud of it. Brides and grooms alike find it’s the perfect blend of modern yet rustic.”

      “I agree.” Karen strode toward the entrance. “There’s nothing else like it nearby, correct?”

      The walkie-talkie resting on top of Natalie’s iPad nearby squawked to life. “Natalie, we’ve got a code stork. I repeat, code stork near the corn maze.”

      No. Adrenaline pulsed through her veins. “Karen, excuse me. I’m so sorry. I’ve got to go. A woman’s about to give birth in the corn maze.”

      Karen’s perfect brow knitted together. “But I—”

      “I’m sorry. Truly, I am. Feel free to walk through and see if this might be a good fit. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.” She scooped up the iPad and walkie-talkie, and then she jogged toward her golf cart parked beside the barn, her cowboy boots clicking against the cobblestones.

      “Nat, where are you? Her water broke.” Shelby, the college student supervising the birthday party, had more than enough experience to manage a crisis, but this was uncharted territory. Not even Rex, their most seasoned employee, could deliver a human in a corn maze.

      “Call an ambulance.” Natalie slid behind the wheel. “I’ll be there in two minutes.”

      “Copy that. Please hurry.” Shelby’s panicked voice crackled through the speaker.

      She set the iPad and the walkie-talkie on the cushioned seat next to her, put the cart in gear and stomped on the pedal. While she careened down the gravel path, her mind raced. Several of the off-duty firefighters from the station down the road were attending a birthday party at the farm today. Surely they were qualified to handle emergency childbirth.

      “Oh, dear Lord, please don’t let her give birth in front of a bunch of three-year-olds. Make a way for the ambulance to get through the crowd.” Her prayers were like that these days—flung up in tense moments, desperate submissions shot heavenward, while her plans unraveled like a loose thread. God heard her, but He hadn’t responded like she’d anticipated. Still she longed for a sign, a clear indication it was time to chase her dreams. Would she ever get a chance to focus exclusively on wedding planning, instead of dealing with the relentless

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