Adams Grove 03-Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes
Page 23
“How about in the morning?”
“What in the morning?”
“We can get married tomorrow morning. Why not? You said you didn’t want a big wedding. So, what’s stopping us?”
She seemed to stumble for words. “Your fancy cake?”
Connor pressed a couple of buttons on his phone. “Hey, Derek. It’s Connor Buckham. Yeah, man. I’m good. I need a favor.”
Connor whispered across the room to her. “I love you like crazy.” He loved the way her eyes sparkled when he made her laugh.
He turned his attention back to the phone. “Yeah, Derek, I need one of those fancy groom cakes…by tomorrow night. Can you swing it?”
“Just fifty or so people.” Connor said.
“Fifty! I said small.” Carolanne put her hands on her hips.
“Make that enough for just forty-five people.” Connor put his hand over the speaker. “You and I have a date, baby.”
“Yeah. Yeah, Derek. We’re here. The cake? Uh, yeah. How about in the shape of a coffeepot? Only, I want that coffee decanter to be filled with chocolate. And throw in a crossword puzzle, too. Oh, and I’ve got it. Make the crossword puzzle with four words on it. You writing this down?”
Connor paused. “Yes. The four words are ‘You Were Right’ and ‘Pearl.’”
He nodded as he listened. “Yes, you’ve got it. Can you do it? And plan to stay for the party. It’ll need to be delivered here to Carolanne’s place at Bridle Path Estates by, say, five o’clock. We’re having a celebration.”
Connor tossed his phone on the table next to the couch and pulled her into his arms. “Done.”
“Just like that?” She threw her hands in the air. “We’ll need witnesses.”
“You said small. We’ll do it at the courthouse. We’ll call Jill and Garrett to witness it.”
“And my dad.”
Connor broke out into a wide grin. “Definitely your dad. We’re all set except for the flowers, but I can handle those.”
“Oh no, you don’t. We aren’t going to have a flower left on Main Street if you keep that up. How about we start a new tradition? Alstroemeria—my mom’s favorite.”
“Anything you want. So, we’re all set then.”
“Are you mistaking me for someone spontaneous?”
He pulled her close against him and kissed her on the neck. “There’s no mistake about this. We have a date.”
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my writer girls who, knowingly or otherwise, keep me inspired to keep writing through the emotional journey of making up a story and bringing it to the page and ultimately to the reader. Without y’all—it wouldn’t be nearly as fun.
My Montlake team, Kelli Martin, Krista Stoever, Jessica Poore, and the whole gang over at Montlake Romance, y’all make a girl feel like she can do anything. Thank you for helping me become a better writer and for making my dreams a reality.
As always, for their enthusiasm and support, I thank my family. The emotion and love in my stories is a direct result of the blessings from my loving extended family. And to Hunter, my black Lab, who sits faithfully with me, hour after hour no matter what, through every single draft.
About the Author
Photograph by Studio 16, 2009
Nancy Naigle was born and raised in Virginia Beach. She balances her career in the financial industry with a lifelong passion for books and storytelling. When she isn’t writing or wrangling goats on the family farm, she enjoys antiquing and cooking. She lives with her husband in Drewryville, Virginia.