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“You…don’t like my mother’s ring?” Stunned, my eyebrows shot up.

“Oh, God, I’m sorry. The ring is lovely. Don’t get me wrong. When you first proposed to me with it, the sentiment of it meant everything to me because of how your dad proposed to her with it. But that’s just it. More and more, I worry that this is Miriam’s wedding, andherday to shine in front offour hundred guests, only twenty of whom I’ll even know.”

I rubbed her shoulders and tried to put myself in her shoes. Suddenly thrust into the big role as a Buchanan bride for a day couldn’t be easy, like being crowned my young queen with the gates to the castle opened and the entire kingdom invited to watch the celebration, when all she wanted to be was simply my wife.

I loved that about her. Chelsea, the small-town girl, modest, hard-working, and not once did she give me anyreason to think of her as a gold-digger. Doubtful she’d ever turn into a wife taking advantage of my money at all.

Forget Miriam questioning me about a prenup. Plenty of questions also came to my mind forherabout the growing guest list.

“Your mother and Agnes make these decisions for us and never think about asking what I want or we want,” Chelsea continued. “And the worst of it is, I’m trying to be grateful because your family is paying for everything to make this wedding day happen. Every time I open my mouth I just keep thinking,don’t complain or you’ll sound like an ungrateful bridezilla.”

A tear escaped from the corner of one eye as she crumbled into my arms. Upset I had let things get this sad for her, I tucked her under my chin. “No, don’t think that. You have every right to feel this way, Chelsea. I guess that explains a lot. You’re usually my sunshiny baby, but lately…half the time I’m not even sure if you’re excited about this wedding or even about marrying me.”

“Oh Rex, no. I don’t mean to come across that way at all. Of course, I’m looking forward to the day I become your wife. I love you.”

“And I love you, sweetness. I just wish you were having more fun with the wedding planning. I thought brides were always supposed to be happy putting together the one day to celebrate their love?”

“I am happy, really.” She reached up on tiptoes and captured my lips in a sweet, sensual kiss, until a horn honked on Main Street. We parted and the serious plea in her eyestore my heart to shreds. “Just please tell me Miriam willnotdictate when we have children.”

After a good laugh at that, I assured her. “There’s no way in hell she’ll have any influence on our baby making. It’s only you and me in this marriage, I promise. And tonight, I can’t wait to get back to practicing baby making with you in bed. Chelsea, this day is about us. Forget the money and who’s paying for it. Just enjoy the process. Okay?”

She nodded, and we joined lips again. But her ring comment stayed with me and kind of stung.

I’d picked an expensive ring for her the first time, but threw it off the top of the building when she turned down my offer to marry for my convenience. The second time I asked her, it was because I knew she was the woman I loved and couldn’t live without.

Miriam had helped me see the light about Chelsea and had suggested I propose to her with it. The ring was so special to her and Dad and brought them good fortune. To me, that meant it was priceless, so I thought, and perfect for Chelsea, who said money couldn’t buy happiness. But I didn’t know it’d become a symbol to her of how much this wedding was spiraling out of our control into something bigger than the two of us.

Flora knocked on the window from inside and waved at us to come in, breaking our kiss. Time wasn’t on my side, and I’d have to ponder a bit longer on the ring situation.

“Now, if it’s pie you want, I hear Flora’s Diner in Holly Creek makes the best pies around.” I thumbed toward hermother’s restaurant. “Oh, look at that. We’re standing in front of her place.”

At this, Chelsea chortled and swiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I can smell Mom’s pecan pie and we haven’t even entered yet.”

“Tell you what. I’ll make all the arrangements with your mom for the grandest pie table at our wedding anyone will have ever seen. Let our guests eat cake, cupcakes, pie, and chocolates. They’ll leave high on sugar and happy as can be.”

“A pie table at the Plaza? Are you sure Miriam won’t have a fit?” She snorted.

“Leave it to me. I’ll make all your dreams come true, Chelsea Calhoun-soon-to-be-Buchanan. Wait and see.” For viewing the brightest smile gracing her lips once again, I would keep that promise forever.

42

THE VIRGIN RUG

CHELSEA

“Rex actually thoughtI wasn’t excited about our wedding. It nearly broke my heart.” I lamented to Maisy and Sophie, telling them all about the visit to the cake shop in Holly Creek. We sat in the large dressing room of couture gown designer Kleinenfelds.

Saddened as soon as I realized my mother’s wedding gown hadn’t preserved well over the years, the fabric aged, delicate, and yellowed, I agreed to a new gown.

With only six months to go, we were behind schedule, but Miriam’s friend and famous A-list designer Nicholas Kleinenfelds himself gave her his guarantee the gowns would be ready in time.

The thing was, I wouldn’t make this important decision without my mother involved, no matter how many times Miriam tried to pressure me to make an appointment with the designer.

It just so happened that this weekend we’d be attendingMaisy’s graduation ceremony from Columbia, so it all worked out for Mom to be in the city and a part of important days for both of her girls.

“Of courseI’m happy about this wedding and marrying Rex.” I lowered my voice for the next part, in case prying ears—India’s—were outside the room. I wouldn’t put it past her to pop in with a microphone catching bits of our conversation. “It’s not every day a woman like me gets shoved into this world of riches where I can spend, spend, spend like money has no end.”

“Hm. Yeah, I could see how that’d be a problem.” Sophie cocked her head and laughed, bumping me with her hip. “Just kidding. Did you have to sign a prenup? Isn’t that something rich people do when they marry beneath their status?”