They finished their crêpes nearly in silence.
Greer sighed. “We might as well head to the airport,” she said.
“But it’s only 5:30.” Her father looked even more grim.
“It’s actually 5:45,” Greer’s mother said. “That clock on the wall is wrong.”
Greer laughed. “It’s said 5:30 for as long as I can remember. Shall we?” She stood.
“No,” said her mother. “No.”
“But, Mom—”
At that moment Ford threw open the door and walked in. Greer almost fainted at the sight of him.
“Thank God I’ve found you!” he cried. He was in a long black tailcoat and wore a white bow tie against a crisply starched white shirt.
“Ford,” she said, barely able to speak.
“It’s been a great day,” her mother said. “We had a marvelous time in Columbia. First, we saw the—”
“Mom,” Greer said.
“It’s perfectly all right,” Ford said, and bowed before his mother. “Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Jones. You’re absolutely lovely.” He took her hand and kissed it, then he turned to her father and stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you, as well,” he said in that hail-fellow-well-met way men did.
“And you,” said her father, pumping his hand.
“Wait,” Greer said. “I haven’t introduced anyone. And how did you know we were here, Ford? Why are you here? I thought you were in England!” She put a hand to her forehead. Was she dreaming? Was this really happening?
Ford was back in Charleston!
And he was dressed like a baron, a far cry from the man in the gray plaid blazer and boat shoes.
“No time for proper introductions, darling,” Ford said. “The portrait,” he called out, sounding like a baron.
The owner of the restaurant came striding over, the most stunning nude portrait Greer had ever seen in his hands.
“What—” she stammered. Her eyes immediately filled with tears.
“It’s you,” her mother whispered. “It’s beautiful.” She took her husband’s hand.
“My goodness,” Greer’s father said gruffly. “You’re a real artist,” he said to Ford.
“Thank you,” Ford said, then turned to Greer. “It is you. It’s really you.”
“I love it,” Greer said, wiping tears away. “It’s so different from the other—”
“Because the other was painted when I still couldn’t see,” said Ford. “When I got back to England, I realized that you mean more to me than anyone or anything in the world. I will never, ever put you anywhere but first in my life again.”
He got on one knee and paused a beat.
Greer’s hands were shaking. Her heart raced. She could barely breathe.
“Greer,” her favorite Englishman said carefully, slowly, “I love you with all my heart. Will you do me the great honor of being my bride? Can you possibly have me when the future is so uncertain?”
She knew he was talking about the babies, about his possibly being a father.
Everyone in the restaurant stopped talking. Her mother had her hand to her mouth. She was smiling. Or crying. Maybe both. Greer’s father looked well pleased. Had they known this was coming?
“Greer?” Ford looked up at her with those beloved blue eyes and she remembered the auction, how she’d almost tried to coerce him into bidding on Royal Bliss with her. “What do you say, my love?”
She sank onto his thigh, remembering the first time she’d met him—his thigh was her favorite place in the world to sit—and put her arm around his neck. “I say yes, Ford. I will marry you. I love you with all my heart, too. And I will love everything and everyone you’ll bring into my life.”
“My dear, dear Greer,” he said, his voice cracking. He put the most splendiferous ring on her left ring finger. “You’ve made me the happiest of men.”
They stared into each other’s eyes a moment—dumbstruck, the both of them, by the power of love to connect and make whole—and she leaned in for a prolonged kiss of celebration.
But he merely gave her a peck and hoisted her to her feet. “We’ll have to save the kiss for after the vows, darling.” He paused. “How do you feel about getting married right this minute?”
Her mother looked at her phone. “In ten minutes, actually.”
Greer was in a daze. “What’s going on? How can that happen?”
Ford winced. “I know it’s little notice. I was hoping to propose today at lunch, but you had a change in plans. No pressure, but a great deal of your friends and family, both local and out-of-state, and most of my family from England, are waiting, along with a minister, to witness our vows—if you’re interested. We can always put them off. Take as long as you want to decide: months, years. I’ll be waiting. I simply wanted you know that I would marry you yesterday if I could, and today, if I can.”
Greer stared at her parents. “You knew?”
They both nodded, their eyes alight with love, concern, and hope.
“But I’m very glad I got to see those gorillas,” her father said.
Greer laughed.
“Honey, only if you’re ready,” her mother added. “And we’re not going home tonight. We’re staying until tomorrow.”
Greer gave a little sob and hugged her mother. Rather, she let herself be hugged. It was good to rest there a moment in her mother’s arms, to think about what was really happening. This scenario was nothing like the Perfect Wedding she’d always imagined. She hadn’t been consulted on the food or flowers or the venue.
She could say no, if she wanted to. She had that option.
But she realized then, as her mother held her, how little all those trappings she’d so focused on in her scrapbooks meant in the big scheme of things. What mattered was the who and the why—not the what.
And just like that, the four other finalists in the contest came running through the restaurant doors with Royal Bliss. All of them wore gold-colored dresses. Once again, she was in shock—to see them, and to see Royal Bliss. Lisa also carried a tux, which she handed to Greer’s father, and a beautiful pink dress, which she gave to Greer’s mother.
“What do you say, Greer?” Serena asked her. “Should we try to restore good memories to Royal Bliss? The rest of us have made a vow to wear it to our own weddings. Even Lisa. Pierre suggested if she goes before any of us and has to size it down, she can at least cut out the special beaded bodice when she’s through, and we can sew it into a new gown. Those beads are what we’re all after, anyway.”
“Pierre?” Greer couldn’t believe they’d been talking to him.
“Ford has tamed him,” Toni said. “Long story. But a good one.”
Greer took a deep breath. “You all are wonderful to be here. Serena, you came from so far!”
“I did,” she said, “because I think you and Ford are so good together. I had to be here.” She kissed Greer’s cheek. “I’m even going to have lunch with Wesley tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’m so glad!” Greer said, and clung to her hand.
But Ford intervened. “Sorry, ladies, but time is passing. Greer, should we delay the nuptials? Or would you like to wear Royal Bliss and get married in the garden at Two Love Lane, in, oh, about six minutes?”
Greer’s phone kept ringing. It was Macy. “I have to get this,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Are you coming?” Macy asked.
“Yes,” Greer said, her eyes filled with tears. “You’re at Two Love Lane?”
“Yes, and you wouldn’t believe how gorgeous the back garden looks. I can’t wait for you to see it.” She paused. “She’s coming!” she called out to someone. There was a round of cheering.
Greer giggled. She actually giggled. Just like Macy had when she was first in love.
It was all so surreal.
“I’ve got something borrowed for you,” Macy said. “My pearls that I wore to my own wedding, a gift from my mother. Ella’s got something blue—a garter from Jill’s collection of sexy stuff. By
the way, Jill’s here, too, with her new man.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and Miss Thing has something old she and Pete decided on together—his late wife’s wedding veil. It’s stunning.”
“Oh,” Greer said, choking up.
“I know,” said Macy. “Pete’s so crazy about you. And very proud to offer the veil. Your engagement ring is something new. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? Poor Ford. He’s been looking for you all day so he could put it on your finger. We love him, Greer.”
“I do, too,” said Greer, overwhelmed but so happy. “Let me get my gown on first. I’ll be right there.”
“Get out, everybody,” the restaurant owner told the other customers. “Your food is on the house. No way is a bride dressing in my cramped little bathroom. She’ll dress out here where she has space for this gorgeous dress to shine.”
So that was what Greer did. She donned Royal Bliss in the crêpe restaurant. But Ford had to leave first. He wasn’t permitted to see her in it before the wedding.
“I’ll see you there,” he said at the door. And then he strode back in, his coattails fluttering, and kissed her properly. “My love,” he added, and left her to be adorned as a bride.
Don’t miss the next book
Second Chance at Two Love Lane
Coming soon!
ALSO BY KIERAN KRAMER
Christmas at Two Love Lane
Trouble When You Walked In
You’re So Fine
Sweet Talk Me
THE HOUSE OF BRADY SERIES
Loving Lady Marcia
The Earl Is Mine
Say Yes to the Duke
THE IMPOSSIBLE BACHELOR SERIES
When Harry Met Molly
Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right
Cloudy with a Chance of Marriage
If You Give a Girl a Viscount
Praise for these other novels of delightful contemporary romance by USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer
YOU’RE SO FINE
“Kieran Kramer writes a sexy, sassy Southern romance with heart.”
—Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author
“Kramer dishes up another delightful contemporary romance that is deftly seasoned with sassy Southern wit, snappy dialogue, and plenty of smoldering sexual chemistry. Readers who fell in love with Susan Elizabeth Phillips’s Dream a Little Dream (1998) or Ain’t She Sweet? (2004) will definitely want to add Kramer’s latest sexy, sparkling, spot-on love story to their reading lists.”
—Booklist
“Filled with smart, believable characters and fresh, witty storytelling. A sexy, poignant romance wrapped in Southern charm and lightly accented with Hollywood glamour.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A superbly written, powerful, and touching book.”
—Fresh Fiction
SWEET TALK ME
“The perfect combination of good-natured sass, sultry sexual tension, and hint of Southern crazy. I loved this book.”
—Tracy Brogan, author of Crazy Little Thing
“A sweetly sexy love story that is everything a romance should be … a knockout!”
—Booklist (starred review)
“The banter between these characters was fun to read and I loved the tension that flowed between them … a great read to lose yourself in for a few hours.”
—Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)
“Readers who enjoy works by Nora Roberts and Luanne Rice will want to give Kramer a try. This reviewer predicts that the beaches this summer will be covered with copies of Sweet Talk Me.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer is a former CIA employee, journalist, and English teacher who lives in the Lowcountry of South Carolina with her family. Game show veteran, karaoke enthusiast, and general adventurer, her motto is, “Life rewards action.” Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and at kierankramer.com. Or stay connected to Kieran on-the-go with her FREE mobile app available for iPhone and Android devices! Or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Also by Kieran Kramer
Praise
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
A WEDDING AT TWO LOVE LANE
Copyright © 2018 by Kieran Kramer.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 9781250111074
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / January 2018
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
A Wedding At Two Love Lane Page 29