“I schedule couples’ counseling on Wednesdays. In the morning, I spend my time with couples about to be married. In the afternoon, with those already married.”
“Why haven’t we done that?” Willa asked with interest.
“Because it would be hard to counsel myself,” Lucky replied with a grin.
Once the idea took hold, Willa didn’t want to give it up. “What kinds of things do you counsel the ones getting married on?”
Lucky leaned back in his leather chair, rocking it back and forth casually with his hands laced together across his flat stomach. Willa swallowed hard. Lucky made her want to touch him, yet she couldn’t work up the courage to.
“I discuss their expectations of each other, their finances, if they want a Christian marriage.”
“We could get counseling from the pastor in Jamestown. He’s very nice.”
“Yes, he is. I’ve met him several times. I’m more than willing if that’s really what you want. I’ll call and make an appointment.”
Willa smiled happily until Lucky’s next words had her rethinking bringing in a third party to discuss their relationship.
“I’m surprised. I thought you would balk at talking with someone. You usually try to avoid personal topics…”
Lucky had the phone in his hand, but Willa put her hand over his.
“Personal topics?” she questioned.
“Yes. He will talk briefly about sex and—”
“Maybe we should wait.”
“We’re getting married in two weeks,” Lucky reminded her.
“I know that,” she snapped. “Now that I think of it, I really don’t have the time. I have several orders scheduled, and Beth and Lily still haven’t picked their bridesmaids dresses. It was just a thought, anyway.”
“Sit down, Willa.” When Lucky motioned her over to the chair by the window, she crossed the room and gingerly sat down. “Perhaps it would be better if we just have an open discussion between us. Will that make you feel more comfortable?”
Willa gave a relieved sigh. “Yes.”
“All right.” Lucky sat down in the chair across from her, and Willa looked at him expectantly. “What do you envision for our marriage?”
Willa took a second to think, dreams filling her head of the years ahead. “I see us living a happy, fulfilled life with you as pastor and me helping you however I can. Maybe have … I don’t know, two children?” She looked at him from underneath her lashes. She really wanted four, but she didn’t want to scare him away before she could get a ring on his finger.
Lucky frowned. “Two?”
“One?” Willa bit her lip. How was she going to talk him into four if he only wanted one? Fear that he didn’t want any had her wanting to change the subject. “We can talk about that later. What’s next?”#p#分页标题#e#
“We should discuss this now. Children are an important part of a marriage.”
“Can we talk about them later?” Willa twisted her hands together nervously.
His gaze dropped to her lap. “Okay. Then we should talk about finances. What is your credit rating?”
“I’m not sure.”
His frown deepened. “You’re not sure? You’ve been looking at properties to expand your business, so you should be familiar with your credit score.”
“I figured I would check on it when I found a place.”
Lucky ran his hand through his hair. “I could look over your finances—”
“That’s not necessary. I have an accountant.”
“Who?” Lucky asked in a way that made Willa think he believed she wasn’t the best judge of character.
“Dustin Porter.”
Lucky looked horror-stricken. “You let Dustin manage your books? He’s a kid.”
“He’s my age.” That choice of words didn’t seem to make him any happier.
“He doesn’t even have a high school diploma.” Lucky’s voice had risen to the extent that Willa was becoming angry.
“Yes, he does. He earned it over the internet like he did his accounting degree.”
“What was the college? DegreeMart?” Lucky snapped.
“No … Why are you becoming so angry?”
Lucky took a deep breath. “I’m not angry. We’ll come back to that question later.”
“I think that would be a good idea.”
His eyes narrowed at her self-righteous expression.
“What are your expectations of me as your husband?”
Willa gave him a reassuring smile. This one was easy. “I expect you to be faithful, make me happy, and to be a good provider, and faithful.” Willa stressed the last one.