Page 2 of Bride Games

2

W hile Emma opened her cabinets and fridge looking for something to cook for dinner, Lucy bounded inside. “Mommy, mommy. Do not come outside!”

“Why?”

“Mr. Hansen and I are decowating.”

“Really? What’s the occasion?”

Eli poked his head inside the back door. “Lucy, you aren’t telling your mom about our secret, are you?”

Lucy clapped her hand over her mouth. “I forgot, Mr. Hansen. Can I pweaze tell Mommy about the fairy lights?”

Eli laughed. “I think you just did. Come back outside, okay? Let’s stick to our plan.”

“O-tay.” Lucy skipped toward him. Eli picked her up by the waist as the screen door slammed behind them.

Emma cracked a window over the sink and shouted, “Hey, anybody want to tell me what’s going on?”

“No,” both Eli and Lucy yelled in unison.

Emma chuckled, wondering what was up with Eli and Lucy as she sorted through a mound of faded, well-used pots and pans stacked atop her favorite big stock pot. She pulled the large pot out and filled it with water to boil for spaghetti. Rummaging through a few meager items in the kitchen cabinet, she found one jar of marsala sauce. Before she could check the freezer for garlic bread, Lucy ran into the kitchen.

“Mommy, mommy, come outside now.”

“In a minute, honey. I’m prepping food for dinner.”

“No, we have a surprise.” Lucy tugged on her mom’s hand. “Come on.”

“A surprise?”

“Yes. A weally big surprise. Hurry, Mommy.”

“Okay, okay. Hold on a sec.” Emma turned the burner off so the water wouldn’t boil over. Reaching for her daughter’s hand, she said, “I’m ready. Lead the way.”

Lucy beamed at her mom, clearly bursting at the seams. “You’re going to wuv this, Mommy.”

“I’m sure I will if you and Eli planned it.”