“Go on, tell us how,” Mel almost pleaded. His panicked expression said that if Gary stopped talking, he was afraid he couldn’t make him start again.
“I’d like to ask my bride to renew our wedding vows. We’ll do it in a big church ceremony full of friends and family, if that’s what she wants. The white dress and everything. Cake. Flowers galore. The works.” He looked directly into the camera with a twinkle in his hazel eyes. “What do you think, Hayely Tarleton? Marry me all over again?”
Carla and Hayely’s mother let out a collective sigh and looked with misty eyes at Hayely. There was even a tear or two lurking in her father’s eyes, though he tried his best to look brave. It was clear Gary had taken a potentially nasty situation and was walking away from it looking like the most romantic hero in town.
As Mel did the wrap-up, the off-the-television Gary took the remote control from Charlie’s fingers and turned down the volume. He took Hayely’s slender hand in his own and asked, “Well? Is that a yes?”
“What do you think?” she answered with a laugh.
“I think you’ll do.” He suddenly looked her up and down as if surveying merchandise before making a great purchase. He ran a hand through his tousled brown hair and then across his chin, but there was no mistaking the amusement on his face this time.
She fought a smile, but her eyes had already smoked over with emotion. “I’ll do what?” She recalled all too well their first meeting and said a silent prayer of thanks. This time, she had no trouble meeting his gaze. In fact, she wanted to spend the rest of her years doing just that.
“Here’s the deal. I want a real, permanent wife. I want conversations and plenty of questions. I’ll be requiring friendship and silver-eyed children—and more pot roast while I’m at it. Not to mention a companion for the honeymoon to Pompeii I’ve just booked.”
Hayely tucked her hair back behind her ear and whispered with a smile, “Well then, Mr. Tarleton, I suppose I’ll—I do.”
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A Wife by Accident Page 15