She closed on the house the day after school was out, but they gave her three days to vacate. In those three days, she’d be in Wisconsin. She came home after signing the papers and slumped onto the couch. She’d just sold the only home she’d ever known. Was she doing the right thing?
She called Stephanie, and didn’t even wait for her to say anything. “House is sold. Everything is packed. Movers are coming tomorrow, and I’ll be flying up there. Am I insane?”
Stephanie laughed. “You’re not getting nervous are you? Jason’s a great guy. You’re doing the right thing.”
Amanda felt tears prick her eyes. “I’m moving a thousand miles for a man I’ve met once. Once! My father would kill me.”
“It’s going to be okay. Everything is ready here. I’ll probably be picking you up at the airport on Friday afternoon.”
“I thought Jason was picking me up?”
“He’s having some tractor issues. He has to get them taken care of before the honeymoon.”
Amanda sighed. “Am I even going to get to see him before the wedding?”
“Probably not. You’ll get to see him during the wedding, though.”
“I’m so nervous. I was hoping he could talk me down from the emotional ledge I’m perched on.”
Stephanie smiled as she looked at the phone. Amanda was usually so calm about everything. These pre-wedding jitters were amusing her to no end. “He said he’d call you tonight.”
“Well, that’s better than nothing, I guess.”
After they’d hung up, Amanda went into her bedroom and stroked the dress hanging in her closet. She’d worked so hard on it. She knew that it showed her slim figure off to its best advantage. Hopefully Jason would like it.
Hours later, her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and answered it. She was determined not to sound like a hysterical idiot. “Hey there.”
“Hi, sweetheart. How did the closing go today?”
She sighed. “It went well. It’s all done. I’ve sold the only home I’ve ever known.” She dashed the tear off her cheek as she said the words. She’d planned to sell the house anyway. It wasn’t his fault, so why was she half mad at him for it?
“You doin’ okay?”
“Not really. I’m in the middle of an emotional crisis. I keep asking myself if I’m doing the right thing.”
“And how do you answer yourself?”
She laughed. “I don’t know. That’s the problem. I can’t figure that out. It’s not that I don’t want to marry you. It’s really not. It’s just that I’m moving so far away from Texas. And I’m going to be having sex with a man I barely know.” She put her hand over her mouth as soon as she realized what she’d said. She hadn’t meant to bring that up.
“Is that the problem? Are you worried about the wedding night?”
She blushed. “That’s part of it.”
“Why does that make you so nervous?” he asked.
“Well, it’ll be a new experience, and I don’t feel like I know you well enough yet. Not really. Maybe we could get married, but wait a week or two?”
He’d figured she was a virgin, but she hadn’t come right out and said it until now. “It’s going to be okay. I’m not willing to wait, but it’s not going to be some horribly traumatic experience. I promise. You’ll enjoy it.”
She sighed. “I hope so. I know it’s not fair to even ask you to wait. I’m sorry. I’m just a little messed up right now. Too many changes too fast.”
“There’s no need to be sorry. Once we’re married, everything will settle down, and things will be easier,” he promised.
“I hope so.”
*****
Amanda’s eyes searched the airport on Friday afternoon. She was glad that Jason wasn’t going to meet her. She needed some time with Stephanie before she had a mental breakdown.
Most of her things had been sent ahead, so she only had her overnight bag, one suitcase, and her wedding dress with her. Everything else was already here. Jason had told her the night before that the moving truck had arrived and where he’d put everything. She picked up the only suitcase that she’d checked and searched the people around her again.
She was looking for Stephanie, so was surprised to be caught in a bear hug by Jason. She pulled back and looked up at him her eyes showing her happiness at his presence. “You made it!”
“I couldn’t not meet you with how freaked out you sounded the other night. My friend, Steve, is dealing with the tractor.”
She grabbed him in another hug. “I’m so glad you came.”