“You don’t have to do that. I’ll stop and pick something up.” I ask Willa, “What time are we going to the lighting company?”
“I’m ready as soon as you are.”
I stand and pluck the two wineglasses and empty bottle from the side table.
“Give me twenty minutes to freshen up, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
“I was thinking white lights strung through the trees and hanging in the rafters of the atrium,” Willa says as we peruse the aisles of the lighting warehouse in Hailey.
“Sounds great. What about hardwired lights?” I ask.
“Do you think we’ll need more than the string lights?”
“I’d have hardwired backups. You never know when string lights will blow a bulb and take out the entire operation,” I suggest.
“Yeah, I didn’t think about that. Maybe a couple of large pendant lights, like those.” She points to massive rectangular fixtures hanging from the warehouse ceiling. “They are eye-catching, and the shape won’t block the natural light coming in from the glass ceiling during daylight hours or the moon and stars at night,” she explains.
“Yeah, I agree. They’re great, and they would light up the area nicely in the event you need them for an evening soiree.”
“Those are from our new contemporary line. They should be in stock,” the salesman says.
“Perfect. What can you show us in lanterns?” I ask.
“What do you have in mind?” he asks.
“I’m thinking retro with jewel-toned glass.”
“Moroccan-style?”
“Yeah, if you have any that give off an antique vibe,” I say.
“I have just the thing. This way.” He leads us out of the warehouse and into the adjoining showroom.
On the back wall sits an assortment of lanterns in aqua, red, green, and gold.
“Now, these are vintage-inspired, but they have battery-operated lights inside, designed to mimic the soft flickering glow of a candle without the mess.”
“Yes. Willa, what do you think about using these on the buffet and with the centerpieces on the tables?” I ask.
“They’re beautiful,” she says.
“The nice thing about these is that by adding some greenery and ribbon, you can reuse them as centerpieces for any garden party and other balls. They add an elegant pop of color without having to invest in expensive floral arrangements every time. Especially in winter, when blooms have to be imported.”
“So, they’re beautiful and cost-effective. My favorite combination,” she says before a deep frown frames her mouth.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Don’t I want to invest in expensive flowers?”
Norah.
“Do you mean, because of Norah?”
She nods.
“I think I have a way for her to make mad money regardless,” I assure her.
“How?”