"No, they ride the trails. Drive back to town, and I'll show you."
Savannah found herself pointing out the trailhead to her driver then directing him to the park. They paid the three-dollar fee to get in and drove the winding roads to the horseman's camp. There were a few early trail riders camped there.
Savannah explained as they went, "That horse trailer has living quarters in the front."
Joey asked incredulously, "So they shower and everything in there, and the horses go in the back?"
"Sometimes they're that fancy. But there's a shower building down that way with bathrooms. The rest of the bathrooms are primitive."
"What's a primitive bathroom?"
Savannah hooted with laughter. "Basically, holes in the ground with a seat over them. Haven't you ever been to a campground?"
"God, no. And if that's how you go to the bathroom, it's going to stay that way!"
Savannah pointed out a campsite up ahead of them. "Now, look there. They pull that horse trailer with that motorhome. And they've got the motorhome hooked up to water, sewage and electricity. They can shower and go to the bathroom right in their motorhome."
"Smart people."
The couple camped there were sitting beside a small campfire while their horses munched hay at the hitching rail.
"What are those horses eating?"
Savannah explained, "Those are hay bags hanging from the posts. They're full of hay for the horses. And later, they'll probably hang grain buckets for them."
"I thought you never spent much time here," Joey commented. "You sure know a lot about all this."
Savannah frowned a little. "I spent some time here when I was a kid. I even thought for a while that I'd learn to ride horses. But it never happened."
Joey was impressed. "It must have been fun, being here as a kid."
"Yeah, well, that was then. Let's go back to Gran's house." Savannah didn't say another word until they arrived at GG's house. "I'll text you if I need you later, but I probably won't. You should be free until tomorrow."
"Yes, Miss Savannah. Enjoy yourself tonight."
Savannah let herself into the quiet house and wandered around restlessly. Why did I ever think it was a good idea to get here this long before the wedding? I can't take three weeks in Boone!
She decided to call a friend to distract herself but found herself cutting the call short after just a couple minutes of her friend's shallow chatter. For just a moment, Savannah had an overwhelming feeling that her own entire life was shallow and boring. Shake it off, Savannah! She knew herself well enough to know that if she became too uncomfortable, she would leave, no matter how anyone else felt about it; and she had promised her twin that she would be there for her wedding. She had to do it.
Savannah went to her room and pulled out her laptop, looking at the calendar and mentally ticking through the best place to go once she was finished with her sister's wedding. She made a point of never planning too far ahead. When she took on a project, she made it her only commitment and followed a firm rule of never scheduling another one until after she had finished and rewarded herself with as much playtime as she wanted. Then, if she felt like it, she would consider another project. It made her an elusive and sought-after event planner. To acquire the services of Savannah Beauchamp was an enormous accomplishment. And her family had no idea that she had any kind of a career.
Savannah wasn't sure why she kept her business life a secret from her family. She was content to let them think that her life was one long social event, with never a more serious dilemma than which party to go to. In reality, Savannah was a shrewd businesswoman with excellent instincts and a fiercely competitive nature. Carter was the only one who had nearly found her out, when he happened to attend a fundraiser that his sister had orchestrated. She had managed to keep him in the dark, however, and since most of her events took place outside of the United States, it had been her only close call.
Savannah closed her laptop with a sigh and made up her mind to go to Indy and get a massage and facial the next day. She would relax and enjoy the pampering, and after that, she would plan Shelby's bachelorette bash. Even if it was only the three of them, she would make sure they had a night to remember. She found herself smiling wickedly at the idea of getting Shelby to go wild for a few hours. Feeling better, she resolved that if Boone was insufferably boring, she would just take it upon herself to stir the place up. Even so, she looked forward to seeing the house that her brother had built for himself and his wife.
GG and Savannah rolled slowly up Carter and Maggie's driveway so that Savannah could get a good first look at their house.
"It's beautiful," Savannah commented. "But it's so isolated out here. There's only one house anywhere near to them."
GG laughed. "And that's one of their favorite things about living out here."
Savannah shook her head. "I don't get it."
GG put the car in 'park' and patted her granddaughter's hand. "You know what they say. Different strokes."
"I guess."
The two of them walked to the front door and rang the bell before walking in and calling out. Savannah looked around with approval.
"Well, I can't say much for the neighborhood, but the house is lovely."
Maggie appeared, wiping her hands on a dishtowel and beaming delightedly. A large yellow Lab was at her side, nearly turning himself inside out, he was wagging his tail so hard. He pressed against GG's legs and wriggled happily when she petted him. Savannah laughed at him and leaned down to scratch behind his ears, earning his eternal adoration. When she stopped, he sat down and offered her his paw, making her laugh again.
Maggie said, "Savannah, you just made a friend for life. That's my boy, Beck."
Savannah said, "I'm pleased to meet you, Beck. What a gorgeous, big boy!"
Carter walked in and greeted his sister and grandmother.
"Okay, you two, let's have the tour," Savannah said.
Carter and Maggie proudly showed Savannah around the house. It was roomy and comfortable, immediately welcoming. Savannah noted the fine workmanship and top quality materials with a critical eye.
"This is a lovely house. You two should be proud of it. Carter, if this is the kind of work you and Sam do, you should be a great success."
Maggie's smile was radiant. "We really are proud of it. Carter rode herd on the subcontractors without mercy. They must have been thrilled when they were finished."
Carter said, "Hey, we were paying them good money for good work. I just made sure that they held up their end of the deal."
Savannah nodded approvingly. "That's the only way to get what you pay for."
The doorbell sounded, and Beck raced to the front door as Shelby and Sam walked in, calling out their greetings. Soon, they were all seated around the big farm table, enjoying Maggie's pot roast and homemade yeast rolls. After dinner, Savannah asked her sister how many guests she would like to invite to her bachelorette party. Shelby looked startled.
"I wasn't planning a bachelorette party. It's just a simple wedding, and you and Maggie are the only ones in the wedding."