Harlow opened the large door and walked into the air-conditioned comfort. In deference to their appointment, she’d put on a light blue summer dress and high-heeled sandals. She’d spent the morning of her day off running errands and doing laundry. After she was done here, she was hoping to talk Enid into hanging out for bit—assuming she could catch her friend between her two jobs.
Harlow sat on a bench by the entrance and texted Kip that she was here. The reply came immediately.
It’s Judy. We’re nearly there. The golf course is so beautiful.
Harlow knew that Kip couldn’t text and drive, but giving his phone to his mother? It was one thing to hand it to Harlow, but his mom?
She held in a shudder, then slipped her phone back in her bag. Five minutes later, Kip and his mom walked in and walked toward her.
“Rusti’s meeting us at two,” Harlow said. She turned to her future mother-in-law. “Hi, Judy. Thanks for joining us.”
She did her best to keep her tone friendly. She’d agreed Judy could come, so she couldn’t be upset that the other woman was here. As for her mother not being with them, well, apparently she was still in California, not bothering to communicate with her only daughter.
Judy, about five-three and overweight, looked around. “This place is really nice, Harlow. It’s a private club?”
“Uh-huh.”
“You pay a membership fee?”
“Yes. Monthly, and there’s probably an initiation fee. I’m not sure. I’m on my dad’s membership.”
Judy’s lips pressed together. “But you still have to pay for everything you do, like tennis or golf or eating here.”
Kip smiled at his mom. “It’s a country club, Mom. That’s how it happens.”
“But why do you pay a membership fee and then pay for everything else? What’s the point of that? Why not golf on a public course and eat in a restaurant? It would cost less.”
“It’s exclusive,” Harlow said with a smile. “Here you can make reservations for tee times and spa treatments.”
“But you’re still paying double.”
“Mom!” Kip looked at her. “Maybe less questions?”
“All right. I just don’t understand the whole point of clubs like this.”
Kip shot Harlow a frustrated look. She smiled back when what she was thinking was, You wanted to bring her. Once again she thought that her mom would have smoothed things over with Judy or distracted her.
Rusti appeared right on time. She was a petite redhead with the personality of a born people pleaser.
“I’m so excited you’re considering having your wedding here,” she said in her Southern drawl. She shook hands with Kip and Judy. “I’ve known Harlow forever. We played tennis together when we were little. My parents are members, and my grandparents.” Rusti laughed. “It’s a family thing.”
She smiled at Harlow. “Come on, Miss Bride. Let’s go look at the facilities. On the way you can tell me how far along you are in your planning.”
“I’m just starting.”
Rusti gave her a knowing look. “Oh, no. Overwhelmed by options?”
“A little.”
“Once you make a few choices, everything gets more manageable. The venue informs the date and the number of guests. The wedding dress is a big one. The rest is easy. If you have your wedding here, you can choose as much help as you want. I’ve had brides I see once six months out and then not again until the day before the ceremony. Other brides like to pitch a little tent in my office and live there.” Rusti laughed. “What makes you happy makes me happy.”
Harlow felt herself relaxing. “Thanks. I’m not sure what kind of bride I’m going to be.”
“The best kind,” Kip told her.
“You’re sweet,” Rusti said. “And such a cute couple. All right. This is our main ballroom.” She pulled open double doors and led them into a giant ballroom overlooking the water.
“Depending on weather, the glass doors can be open or closed. Open means more space and mingling. Dance floor on the east side.” She pointed. “Buffet is available, but a plated dinner really makes the evening. The ceremony would be next door, overlooking the gardens.”
She grinned at Harlow. “We don’t want a view that outshines the bride. A fifty-thousand-dollar deposit holds the space and, of course, applies to the cost of the wedding.”
Judy blanched. “Did you say fifty thousand dollars?”
“Mom.” Kip looked at her. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay. It’s fifty thousand dollars. That’s a down-payment on a house.”
Rusti smiled at Harlow. “Are you comfortable with this?”
Harlow ignored the flush of embarrassment heating her face. “It’s fine, Rusti. My dad wants me to have the wedding of my dreams. Let’s keep going.”
Rusti took them into the garden. The heat and humidity slapped them, making Harlow want to duck back indoors. But she nodded and listened as Rusti explained the options. Once they returned to the ballroom, Rusti mentioned looking at menus, just to give them some ideas.
“The fifty thousand doesn’t include a meal?” Judy asked in disbelief.
Kip shot Harlow a look of apology. “We’re going to go,” he said. “I’ll check in with you later.”
Harlow nodded, once again wishing her mom was here. She would know what to say and how to defuse the situation.
She looked at Rusti. “Sorry about that. Kip and his family aren’t country-club people, so it’s hard for her to understand.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about it. So, what do you think?”
“I don’t know,” Harlow admitted. “It’s beautiful, and we could invite everyone we want. I do like the idea of being able to hand off a lot of the work.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“I need to think on this. It’s a big decision, and I want to make sure it’s the right one.”
Rusti’s smile never faltered. “Let me get you a list of the dates that are currently open. We book up fast, so there aren’t many. You might want to put down the deposit while you’re considering other options. It’s fully refundable up to six months before the wedding.”
“Great idea,” Harlow murmured, thinking she didn’t have fifty thousand dollars. She would have to talk to her dad. Sure, he’d said he would pay for her wedding at the club, but did he have a clue as to the cost?
“I’ll be in touch,” Harlow told her. “Thanks so much for your help.”
She made sure Rusti had her email address to send the dates, then made her escape. In her car, she looked back at the club. Yes, Judy wasn’t used to country-club prices, but Harlow had to admit that even to her, fifty thousand seemed steep for a deposit. It wasn’t as if she and Kip could contribute, and her mom wasn’t in much better shape. There would be cash when the house sold, but maybe her mom should keep the money for her future.
As she drove away, she thought about the business she and her dad were supposed to be buying, if only he would read the offer the lawyer had sent over. That was two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.