Love Finds You in Sunflower, Kansas
Page 24
Oh, how true the words were. Annie looked across at Joe, at his dark eyes that were saying what he couldn’t—since he wouldn’t interrupt his dad: I love you.
Annie smiled and giggled. This was her wedding. She needed to savor it.
I love you, too.
Finally, they exchanged rings.
That’s when Jacko suddenly decided to interfere. He’d been sitting patiently, close to Kyle. The first sign of trouble was a low rumble in the retriever’s throat. Then his nose went to the wooden flooring and he started moving.
There were a few snickers from the audience. Billy tried to gently nudge Jacko back to his previous position.
Joe snapped his fingers. Jacko looked up, acknowledged Joe with a But I’m busy look, and then followed his nose to the back corner of the porch and barked.
A barking dog during a wedding is not peaceful. The first few barks ended the actual “You may kiss the bride” kiss, but not the taste or lingering sensation on Annie’s lips.
I’m Mrs. Kelly, she thought. Annie Kelly.
Then Jacko went ballistic, digging at something. Billy had followed Jacko and now was on his hands and knees. “I’ll calm him down,” he promised. “Something’s got him all worked up.”
“Jacko,” Joe scolded under his breath.
Annie only laughed and pulled Joe closer to steal another kiss while the audience wasn’t looking.
“Hey!” said Billy as a blue sunflower tumbled down, pretty much on his head.
The audience stood, not looking at Annie and Joe but back at Billy, who pulled up a loose floorboard and then reached his hand into the opening. “There’s something down here.”
“Maybe this is not the time,” Max suggested. The audience heard him and nodded.
But Billy wasn’t listening. The look on his face said he felt exactly like Jacko and wouldn’t be happy until he had whatever he was going for.
“Maybe it will be of more interest after the newly married couple walks down the aisle,” Max said.
Billy pulled a tangle of leaves and dirt and other things from the flooring. “It’s a packrat nest!” He sorted through it, froze, and then stood. “Go ahead,” Billy suggested, “announce them as Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kelly and then come here. I’ve got a surprise.” He returned to his place by Joe’s side, grinning the whole time.
“You know this is on film,” Joe said. “For eternity, you’ll be known as the groomsman who ditched part of his good friend’s wedding to look for hidden treasure.”
“There are worse things,” Billy returned.
“I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kelly.” Max wasn’t done. Before anyone could move, and it looked like plenty wanted to, he added, “Please pray with me.” Every time he said the word “help” or “please,” Annie felt the pressure of Joe’s hands squeezing hers. They were one…, Annie thought.
When he said amen, the audience applauded. Annie tucked her hand under Joe’s arm, but instead of walking down the porch steps, both she and Joe held up just-a-minute pointer fingers at their audience—an audience that was crowding forward—and followed Billy to the corner of the porch. Kyle and Annie’s sisters were right behind.
Billy went down to his knees and started showing off his finds. Annie had to laugh when she saw the treasures—the treasures he’d interrupted her wedding for. He held up some yellow plastic trash bag ties, a tiny piece of a tire, and a bunch of soda lids, the old-fashioned kind from the glass bottles, among other things.
“Dad, did you know you had a packrat?” Joe asked his father as Annie’s mother and Margaret came closer to see what was going on.
“No, I’d have chased him out.”
“I think he’s long gone, but he left a few things behind.” Billy’s eyes were wide as he opened his right hand.
Three gold coins.
“I don’t believe it,” Margaret murmured loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Wow, oh wow,” Kyle said. He turned, pushed through the crowd on the porch, and scanned the audience until he found his parents. “Mom, Mom. They found the coins.” Max didn’t hesitate, merely shouted, “Rejoice, for what was lost is found.”
Joe looked deep into Annie’s eyes. His eyes weren’t on the coins, and his body language said that he didn’t even notice they were in the middle of a crowd. He leaned close, so close she could feel the heat of his body, and said, “I’ve already found what I’ve been looking for.”
“Me, too,” she whispered in his ear and instigated a third helping of the “you may kiss the bride” portion of the wedding.
About the Author
PAMELA TRACY is an award-winning author who lives with her husband (who claims to be the inspiration for most of her heroes) and son (who claims to be the interference for most of her writing time). She was raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and started writing at a very young age. While earning a BA in journalism at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, she picked up the pen again—only this time, it was an electric typewriter—with which she wrote a very bad science fiction novel. Pamela has written contemporary, historical, and suspenseful fiction, all in the romance genre. In 2009, she won the ACFW Book of the Year award for short romantic suspense. She has also been a Holt Medallion winner and a RITA Finalist.
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