“I’m going to run inside and see Izzy.” Jenny went into the house.
Clay took a chair across from Owen and leaned back. “Jenny found something or other that she wanted to show Bella regarding the wedding.”
“How are the wedding plans coming along?”
“I’m not sure. You have any idea the difference between pistachio, mint, or seafoam—they all look like green to me? Evidently choosing between one of those is a big decision.”
“Not a clue. Whatever happened to good old plain green, like the crayon.”
“I think if a color doesn’t have a fancy name, it doesn’t count in a wedding.” Clay grinned. “Not that I’d deny Jenny anything. Whatever she wants to do regarding the wedding I agree to. I’m just so darn glad she’s marrying me.”
“They seem to be having a good time planning the wedding. Bella seems to be happiest when she’s organizing something.”
“I know she’s been a big help to Jenns. I hope they’re enjoying the planning. Me? I would have been just as happy to elope. Or just take the kids somewhere and have a quick ceremony. But Jenny wants a big wedding, so that’s what she’ll get.”
Jenny and Bella came back outside with a pitcher of tea and more glasses. Bella filled tea glasses for everyone and sank back onto the rocker.
“Everything okay in there?”
“Just another hat scuffle. I swear Jeremy goes out of his way to push Timmy’s buttons. I sent them both to their rooms to finish their homework.”
“That Timmy is getting cuter by the day. I don’t know how you can resist his impish smile.” Jenny laughed. “I’d be letting him get away with murder.”
“He is quite the sweetie, isn’t he? But man, oh man, do they bicker a lot. But the funny thing is, they are also each other’s biggest supporter. Some older kids were picking on Timmy the other day and Jeremy came to his rescue and sent them running off.” Bella took a sip of her tea. “They do exhaust me, though.”
Bella did look tired. She often looked worn out and Owen wished she’d let him get her some help. A cleaning lady, more help for the store, anything. But if he’d learned anything about Bella it was that she wanted to make it on her own. He admired her for it. Besides, even when she looked exhausted she seemed happy, like she wouldn’t change a thing about her life.
“So, did you two get more wedding decisions made?”
“Yes, we’ve decided on mint green for the wedding.”
Both women smiled delightedly so he figured that was a big decision to have made. What the heck did he know about weddings? He went to a few a year, mostly social commitments, nothing more. He only knew about them from the invited-out-of-obligation side. Bella, Jenny, and Becky Lee seemed to be having such fun organizing the wedding down to the littlest detail.
Jenny stood up. “Well, we should be going. I know you still need to check the boys’ homework and get them to bed.”
Clay stood up and Jenny walked over to him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as effortlessly as if drawing a breath. Owen envied that effortlessness. He still felt awkward with Bella at times. He wasn’t used to having a serious relationship, and then as soon as he started to get used to it, he got called out of town.
“We’ll see you two soon. Let’s all try to get together for dinner. I’ll call Becky Lee and see if we can get something set up.” Jenny smiled up at Clay and they turned and headed to the car.
Bella sighed. “I’m just so happy for them. I can’t wait until the wedding.”
~ * ~
“You’re deep in thought.” Clay rested his hand on hers as they drove home from Izzy’s.
“You’re going to think I’m crazy.” Jenny wasn’t sure how to explain it to Clay.
“Try me.”
“I just feel like something is… wrong. I’ve been feeling it ever since we started really planning this wedding and picked the date. I sometimes feel like it’s not really going to happen.”
“I’ve waited years and years for this wedding. I’m not going to let anything stop me now.”
A shiver ran up Jenny’s spine and she tried to talk herself out of her doubts. “I just have this weird feeling about the wedding.”
“I’ll marry you tomorrow at the Justice of the Peace if that will put your mind at ease. We could still have the wedding in June.”
“And that is why I love you Clay Miller. Because you’d do just about anything for me, wouldn’t you?” Jenny squeezed his hand. “I’m probably just being silly. It’s probably just wedding jitters after waiting for so many years. I sometimes want to pinch myself to make sure I’m awake and this is really happening.”