Lori spent the entire afternoon running around like crazy, but it didn't escape her attention that she had three very active helpers. Whenever possible, Wes, Ben, or Eric took over a task, freeing Lori to oversee the whole. By the end of the day, she sat cross-legged on top of a picnic table and sighed deeply.

"Done," she announced, mostly to herself, as the caterers and the deejay loaded their respective vehicles. "Even Richard was pleased."

"You did well," murmured a ...