The Unexpected Wedding(37)

She nodded.

“But I’m going to read them because I was too nervous to memorize them.”

The paper shook in his hand a bit as he started reading. “I take you as you are, unconditionally, to be by your side. I vow to respect you, encourage you, and care for you. I will share my life with you, all of life’s adversities and triumphs. I vow to work with you to build a life together, better than we could imagine. To share adventures and laughter. To be there for you as your spouse and friend.”

He looked at Becky Lee and saw tears in her eyes. At that moment, he wanted all those things he’d just promised her… and more.

“Those were beautiful.” She leaned up and whispered to him.

Becky Lee reached for the paper and read the vows back to him, her voice broke in the middle and she took a second to collect herself before she finished saying the vows.

“Now the rings.” Luke looked at them.

“Oh, I didn’t…” Becky Lee looked worried.

“Got us covered. Jenny helped me pick out yours.” Cal assured her.

Luke took the rings from Cal. “Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Cal repeated the words and slipped a simple silver wedding band on Becky Lee’s finger.

Becky Lee smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

“Now, Becky Lee.” Luke handed her Cal’s ring.

“With this ring, I thee wed.” Becky Lee slipped the ring on his finger and he stared at it for a moment. He’d never worn a ring of any kind. Ever. The simple silver band looked out of place on his roughened hand.

Luke cleared his throat. “With the power vested in me by the State of Mississippi, I now pronounce you united in marriage. I give you Cal and Becky Lee.”

Cal leaned down and kissed Becky Lee, lingering longer than he probably needed to, but not as long as he wanted to. He took her hand in his and they walked out to greet their guests.

~ * ~

Becky Lee sipped a glass of Champagne as she stood with Jenny and Bella, not really listening to their chatter. She was watching Cal across the room, talking to Steve and Clay. He seemed relaxed now that the ceremony was over.

She looked him over slowly, from his hair in slight need of a haircut, to his clean-shaven face, to his teal dress shirt—had Bella or Jenny told him that teal was her favorite color? His slacks were neatly pressed and he had on freshly polished loafers. He was a handsome man. Very handsome. When he smiled at something the men said, his mouth quirked up in a charming way.

His rough hands were wrapped around a glass of tea. Every so often she’d see him look around for Scotty, to make sure he was okay, then turn his attention back to the men.

“Bec, have you heard a word I said?” Bella stood staring at her.

“What? Well, not really. I’m sorry. I’m kind of lost in my own world right now.”

“I was just saying that we got you and Cal a cottage on the beach near Bay St. Louis to stay tonight. A honeymoon. Kind of.”

“What? We don’t need a honeymoon. And there’s Scotty.”

“If nothing else, you going away for a night will make the wedding more legit. Plus, I think you could use the break. It’s not a long drive. And we already talked to Steve. He’s going to keep Scotty tonight.” Jenny pinned her with a don’t-argue-with-me look. “And we packed a picnic dinner to take with you.”

“I don’t know…”

Greta came walking up to them. “What don’t you know about?”

“They planned us a… honeymoon.” Becky Lee shook her head.

“Well, I think that’s a splendid idea. Do you good to get away for a bit.” Greta smiled. “I’m proud of you girls for being so supportive of Becky Lee. She needed it. She was doing what she thought she needed to do. Friends should support their friends’ decisions.”

“We couldn’t let her get married without a nice wedding. That would be just wrong.” Bella looked appalled at the very idea of not throwing her friend a lovely wedding. “Besides, this marriage is what Becky Lee wants. We’re behind her all the way… it just took me a few minutes to get used to the idea.”

“I still don’t know about this honeymoon…” Becky Lee glanced over at Cal.

“Well, we do. I’m going to go tell Cal, then we’re going to give you two a send-off.” Jenny turned and walked over towards Cal.

“I was going to help take things down and clean up.” Becky Lee looked around at the mess in Bella’s house, not to mention the chairs and decorations outside.

“Not a chance.” Bella shook her head. “You’re the bride.”

Becky Lee watched as Jenny told Cal. He actually smiled at her and thanked her. Maybe he thought it was a good idea? Well, it would look good if people thought they had a honeymoon night. That was all it was. Another check mark for their scheme.