by Ann DeFee
Maizie was tempted to scream, but instead went for nonchalance. “That’s great.” She smacked her head. “Oh, wait. Harvey wants you to meet him at the ball park for the car wash, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. I guess I can’t bag on that, huh?”
“No. I don’t think so. What time are you heading out?”
Clay glanced at the clock. “Around two-thirty. The car wash isn’t till three.”
“Mind if I tag along? The boys are so cute. After that we can get something to eat.” Talk about lame. He must see right through her.
Clay gave her a strange look, but nodded. “Okay. It doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, but if you want to come, that’s fine. I think I’ll take a shower first.”
Maizie waited until Clay was upstairs before she grabbed the phone to call her sister. “Liza, I’m driving myself nuts. Is everything okay down there?”
“Don’t worry, we have it under control.”
“He wanted to paint the fence!” Maizie wailed.
There was silence on the other end of the line before Liza spoke. “You nipped that in the bud, didn’t you?”
“Of course,” she barked. “I’m sorry. I’m being crazy. I’ll see you in a little while.” Maizie ran upstairs to change clothes. If she was lucky Clay wouldn’t realize she’d put on a new outfit. He was a guy, why would he start noticing stuff like that now?
“WHAT DO YOU THINK is goin’ on?” Clay asked as they pulled into the parking lot next to the Little League field.
“I don’t know. This is your gig.” Maizie tried to keep her voice even.
“It looks like they’re having a festival.” He put the car in Park, but didn’t turn off the engine. “I’m not in the mood to wade through a crowd of people to watch a pumpkin pie eating contest.” He groaned and Maizie could tell he would’ve been happier to paint the darned fence.
Too bad. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going to see what’s happening.”
Clay looked surprised but didn’t argue with her.
WHAT IN THE HECK was going on? Everywhere he looked there were people he knew, and they were all smiling. Something strange was afoot, and Clay had the sinking feeling he was the only person in town who wasn’t in the loop.
“Do we have tickets to this thing?”
“Don’t need ’em. Come with me.” Maizie pulled him toward the largest of the three tents. “What do you think this is?” She pointed to the interior of the pavilion, which was decorated like a wedding chapel. The other tents had been prepared for the reception/picnic.
“I get it.” He snapped his fingers. “It’s a tent revival.” There was a pulpit up front so that was the most logical answer he could dredge up on short notice.
“Nope. Try again.”
“A circus? I saw a clown out front, didn’t I?”
“Not quite,” Maizie said and then muttered, “at least not yet.”
Clay threw up his hands in surrender. “I give.”
About that time Liza and Kenni strolled up, their husbands in tow. “Have you told him yet?” Liza asked excitedly.
Zack laid a hand on Clay’s shoulder. “Keep in mind the guys had nothing to do with this.”
His comment was enough to make Clay want to run. What was this?
“Honey, remember when we sort of discussed renewing our vows?” Maizie asked.
“Uh-huh.”
“Well.” She put on what looked like a well-rehearsed smile. “We’re going to.”
“Going to what?”
“We’re going to get remarried. Right here. In front of everyone.” She did a wave that encompassed the entire ball field including the tents, their families, the clown and the Little League team.
Once Clay started laughing he couldn’t stop. Finally he was able to take a deep breath and get control of his mirth.
“You planned all of this and managed to keep it a secret from me? In Magnolia Bluffs? Unbelievable.” He pulled Maizie to his side and kissed the top of her head. “So that’s what the new outfit is all about.”
“You noticed?” Maizie seemed confused by his observation.
“Of course. I’m always aware of what you’re wearing.
Now her jaw literally dropped.
“So what do you say?” she asked. Her natural confidence had turned into sheepish uncertainty.
“I say yes.” As if there was any question. He twirled her around to the applause of all the folks who had come to help them celebrate. Then he noticed Hannah standing by the edge of the crowd.
“Hey, sweetie! Were you in on this, too?”
Hannah gave him a hug. “We kept it a secret, didn’t we?”
“That you did.” He put his arms around his two best girls. “You ladies are sneaky.” Life couldn’t get any better.
“What’s with the ball players?” he asked.
“Oh, that’s right. Come here, guys.”
Although the entire team came forward, the guy leading the pack was the pitcher. “Hey, Mr. Walker. Your wife wants us to give you this.” He handed Clay a large gift-wrapped package.
Clay was at a loss. What was Maizie up to now? When he pulled out his old baseball trophy—albeit not quite in its original condition—Clay grabbed his wife, leaned her back over his arm and gave her a kiss their friends and loved ones would be talking about for years. That was the day Maizie and Clay Walker renewed their vows and treated the citizens of Magnolia Bluffs to a party they wouldn’t soon forget.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-2814-0
THE MAN SHE MARRIED
Copyright © 2009 by Ann DeFee.
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