Problem: Continue the following story.

Brian  knocked on the door of the horse barn but Joel was not in there.  
Here's how I want to continue it: Brian was puzzled.

Problem: Continue the following story.

The woman put the note in her back pocket but it stuck out because the 
Here's how I want to continue it: note was large.

Problem: Continue the following story.

The ceremony was going on so long that the guests were getting frustrated with the participants, but the 
Here's how I want to continue it:
guests were known to be impatient.