“The gown I bought for our vow renewal ceremony isn’t going to fit,” Honey B. said, changing the subject.
“Is that all?” Mrs. Hawkins asked.
“Since we didn’t get to have a real ceremony the first time, I wanted it to be perfect. I’ve loved Mitch for so long that I lost my head after he scooped me up into his arms and didn’t come back to reality until morning sickness hit me between the eyes.”
Cait already knew Honey B.’s story but never got tired of hearing it because it was proof positive that even a cautious man could move quickly when the situation called for it.
“I thought the simple ceremony at the justice of the peace in Newark was lovely,” Meg said, bending down to take the hairbrush out of one son’s hand so he would stop smacking her other son. “But I understand why you’d want to have the vow renewal—it’s a chance to have everyone with you, celebrating the love you and the handsome sheriff share.”
Honey B. sighed. “I didn’t realize how much I wanted a real wedding, so I bought a gorgeous dress online and was all set to dazzle my husband in front of all of our friends and neighbors, but that was before I realized I was expecting again.” Tears filled her eyes as she added, “And I…damn it, I don’t know how to sew.”
“I do,” Mrs. Jenkins said with a smile. “Don’t you worry about those alterations, Honey B. You’re going to knock Mitch Wallace’s socks off when he sees you walking toward him.”
“Just leave it to us,” Mrs. Hawkins told her.
“Peggy and Kate are making the cake.”
“You planning on having a green cake like Edie and Bill?” Cait asked.
Honey B. just smiled. “That was the craziest wedding cake I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’m going to tell you what the McCormack sisters are planning for our cake. Something has to be a surprise since the whole town is in on everything else.”
The conversation in the room started to escalate as everyone volunteered their ideas on a how to make Honey B. and the sheriff’s vow renewal perfect. “If I ever get married,” Cait said suddenly, “I’m not having a big wedding, just me and the groom—like Honey B. and Mitch did over at the county courthouse.”
“That’s it?” her sister asked.
“And my family.”
“Ten people?” Mrs. Doyle shook her head. “That’s just sad. Weddings are happy times for family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate.”
Cait remained firm. “Up until Meg and Dan got married, I wanted to elope, but then I’d be breaking the family tradition of tying the knot in our barn.”
“Only our grandparents, Mom and Dad, and Dan and I got married in the barn,” Meg reminded her. “You could have Reverend Smith bless your vows after the fact in the barn…with a party for family and friends.”
“And neighbors,” Mrs. Doyle put in.
The ladies were tittering and laughing, so Cait didn’t think anyone would hear her when she reminded Meg, “Remember when I asked Pop if I could borrow a ladder to elope and he just laughed and said not to bother…just to take the stairs?”
Meg nodded. “You were eight years old and so serious, he couldn’t help but tease you.”
Everyone started laughing and Cait realized she should have known they’d be listening. Danny was tugging on Meg’s leg, so she picked him up before telling her friend, “I’m hungry.”
“Me too,” Honey B. said, “but I have customers.”
“We’ll watch the boys, Meg,” Mrs. Doyle offered, holding out her arms for Danny. “Why don’t you go on over to the diner and pick something up for you and Honey B.?”
Meg smiled and picked up Joey, handing him to Mrs. Jenkins. “Be good for Mrs. Doyle and Mrs. Jenkins,” she told them. “Mommy will be right back.”
Three little boys called out, “Bye!”
After passing out kisses, she asked her friend, “What do you want?”
“Sausage gravy and biscuits.”
“That all?”
“Mmm. I’m not that hungry.”
Caitlin asked, “What would you order if you were really hungry?”
“Chicken fried steak, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes, and biscuits…why?”
“No reason.” Cait grinned. “Come on, Meg, let’s go get that food before Honey B. faints again.”
“Not funny, squirt!” Honey B. called out, using the nickname Cait hated as Cait closed the door. Once her sister’s friend couldn’t see her, she let go of the laughter she held.
“What’s so funny?” Meg demanded as they crossed the street to the diner.