Page 16 of Sweet Beginnings (Honeysuckle, Texas #1)

What was that old expression? The days are long but the years are short .

Well, not this past week. The days flew by.

Preston and Sarah had gallivanted around town every day, indulged in homemade ice cream at the Creamery; he even licked the melting drops from her cone before giving her a peck on the lips for all to see.

They’d played more corn hole, and even beat a few of the people who had stopped to watch.

At one point they’d gone to the playground and he’d pushed her on the swings.

He felt like a teenager crushing on the prom queen as Sarah laughed and giggled and smiled up at him.

And of course, they’d eaten out pretty much every other night, and when they didn’t come to town to eat, they ate with his mom or her dad.

The way their parents kept grinning at the two of them he wished he didn’t have to go through all the subterfuge, but the situation was what it was.

At least the stress of bringing Samson home was off Sarah Sue’s plate.

That one prospect Aaron had mentioned to them had been green-lighted to take the dog home.

Now he stood in front of his dresser and could barely button his shirt. Never in his life could he remember being so nervous. In a few more hours, he and Sarah Sue would be standing in front of a judge and would become man and wife. His fingers slipped and he almost popped a button.

“Here. Let me.” Carson brushed Preston’s hands aside and began lining up the buttons. “You’d think this was for real.”

“It is,” Preston snapped.

“Not technically.”

“It’s legally binding. How much more technical do you want to get?”

“Okay. It’s real but temporary.” Carson finished the last button and patted his brother’s arm. “All set. Rachel is almost done drying her hair and then we can go pick up Sarah.”

“Where did you tell Mom we’re going?”

“I didn’t. Thought that was your place.”

Preston nodded. “I’ve been kicking around possibilities for the last week and have failed to come up with any idea that is merely skirting the truth rather than an outright lie.”

“Well, I have a job and you have a job so leaving the house isn’t that odd.”

“No.”

“Why don’t you just say you have a business deal out of town? After all, this is a business arrangement of sorts, then Mom won’t be surprised that you’re not coming home till tomorrow.”

“Right. Good point.” Taking one last look in the mirror, he wondered if he should have worn a different shirt. Then again, what difference did it make?

“You go ahead and pick up Sarah.” Carson took a step back. “I’ll follow you with Rachel.”

Preston agreed with that plan. Since Carson and Rachel were returning home after the wedding, taking two cars was the only practical thing to do.

Twenty minutes later, he’d said his goodbyes to his mother, Sarah’s dad had already left for the day, and now his bride sat in the passenger side of his car.

Carson and Rachel would be leaving a respectable thirty minutes after him.

Lord, he hoped this all worked out. He’d already filled out the paperwork for the bank trustee.

First thing Monday morning he and Sarah would present the forms and marriage license and say their prayers that no one laughed in their faces.

He didn’t know why, but without thinking, he reached over across the console and took hold of Sarah’s hand. When she squeezed back, he laced his fingers with hers and wondered if he would feel any differently if this was all for real.

Nearly halfway to the courthouse, still holding hands, Sarah sighed. “Ever wonder why it always feels like it takes longer going somewhere than returning home?”

A small chuckle tickled his throat. He supposed equating the anticipation with walking the plank would not be appropriate. “The unknown. Coming home is always familiar.”

“Familiar,” she echoed. “Makes sense.”

It also explained why holding hands felt so natural. After almost two weeks of performing for the town, everything about Sarah Sue felt familiar and natural. Maybe he was being nervous about nothing.

The car in park, Preston glanced over at Sarah Sue, their fingers still intertwined. “Last chance to change your mind,” he teased.

Her smile seemed shakier than usual and the extra few moments it took for her to react had him thinking this may be as far is it all went. Squeezing his fingers, she pulled her hand away, stiffened her smile, and sucked in a deep breath. “Let’s go save a ranch.”

A car zoomed into the space beside them. Rachel popped out of the car and waved an arm. “This place is adorable. I think that gazebo will be perfect for the ceremony.”

Sarah turned and nodded, Carson raised a brow at his brother. Preston agreed, Rachel was a little too happy for a fake ceremony.

“Oh.” Rachel stretched out her other arm. “One for you, one for me.”

Sarah’s gaze dropped to the two small bouquets of fresh flowers in his sister’s hands. A hand steadier than his own reached for a bouquet and then she took a slow sniff. A more genuine smile took over her face. “Thank you. This was sweet.”

“I’ve never been a maid of honor before but I did my best.” Handing her bouquet to her brother, Rachel rummaged through her purse.

“Here’s my grandmother’s engraved handkerchief.

If you put it in your pocket, that will be the something old.

I’m considering the flowers new. This is the borrowed.

” Reaching behind her neck, she unclasped a simple gold chain with an open heart charm dangling and hung it on Sarah’s neck, then stripped a gaudy silver and blue bracelet from her wrist. “Here’s Mom’s souvenir bracelet from Coney Island.

Dad took her to New York on their honeymoon.

The thing is cheap as all get out but Mom loves it.

I figure it’ll work for good luck and something blue. ”

Sarah Sue flung her arms around his sister. “Thank you. This is seriously sweet of you.”

Tipping her head and grinning, Rachel shrugged. “Wouldn’t want to fail my first time out.”

“All right.” Carson cleared his throat. “Let’s get the paperwork rolling. The officiate texted that he’ll meet us at the gazebo in fifteen minutes.”

Fifteen minutes and the three hundred and sixty-five day countdown would begin. Only fifteen minutes and life as they all knew it was about to be turned on its head.

For the life of her, Sarah couldn’t decide if Rachel adding all the touches of an actual wedding made things better or worse.

It only took a few minutes to fill out the paperwork and for the clerk to give them an old-fashioned typed marriage license.

Reminding herself every few moments to smile, she also had to loosen her grip on the flowers every time her fingers began to cramp from the tight hold.

Without thinking, her hand fingered the heart hanging from her neck. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. Rachel was so very thoughtful. Her gaze lifted to meet Preston’s; he’d been watching her.

His eyes softened and his lips curled in a smile. “Last chance to change your mind.”

A car door slammed, and a bushy-haired man with a mustache to match waved at them.

Her gaze shifted back to Preston and she took in a calming deep breath. “I was just going to ask you the same thing.”

“No need to ask which is the happy couple.” The man came to a stop in front of them. “Always a good sign when eyes sparkle with love.”

Carson coughed so hard, Rachel had to slap him on his back before staring daggers at him.

“Papers in order?”

With a nod, Preston handed the new license over for the man to peruse.

“Very well. The rings?”

Preston began patting his pockets. “I don’t need one, but…” a frown deepened between his brows.

“You gave it to me.” Rolling his eyes, Carson reached into his pocket and produced a simple gold band.

“Yes. Right.” Preston sighed and the officiate just smiled.

Sarah reached into her purse and pulled out a small velvet pouch. An equally simple, but much larger band dropped onto her palm and without a word, she handed it over to Rachel.

“You got me a ring?” Preston’s voice was soft and low and vibrated through her, all the way to her toes.

“Wasn’t I supposed to?”

Not till his lips curved into a lazy smile did she truly relax. For the first time since they stood on the corner, the night his apartment caught fire and she made up her mind to do this, she was completely at peace and completely sure they could make this work.

Curling her arm into his elbow, Preston turned them to face the judge. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

The next thing she knew, she was facing Preston, their hands clasped, and each was repeating the words the officiate fed them.

Her hand tingled as Preston slowly eased the single band onto her finger.

A moment later, and she was shoving a different gold band over Preston’s knuckle, praying the ring fit, smiling with delight when the wedding band settled comfortably onto his finger.

“By the powers vested in me by the state of Oklahoma, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

They’d kissed before. They’d had to for appearance’s sake.

Always quick and brief and just for show.

This time, Preston’s lips came down on hers, slowly, carefully, and so very sweetly.

The air warmed around her and the ground beneath her feet seemed to shift.

The touch lasted just long enough to convince anyone looking, but not long enough for Sarah’s liking. Probably for the best.

A few handshakes and hugs of congratulations, all for the benefit of the officiate who signed the paperwork then quickly said his goodbyes and wished them every happiness. The same loud slamming of a car door announced his departure.

Spinning about, Rachel leveled her gaze with Preston, then over to Sarah Sue. “On behalf of Mom, Dad, and the ranch, thank you for doing this.”

“Yes.” Carson turned to Sarah Sue. “We’ll never be able to repay you.”