“Then this is as much about making her happy as it is about you?”
“Of course. She was right. I’m her only daughter. She deserves this wedding even more than I do. How could I rob her of that, especially now that I’m actually marrying someone it turns out she approves of?” She grinned, then added without any hint of rancor, “Guess I’m still an approval junkie, after all.”
“How do you know she approves?”
“Of you? Come on. Did you see the look on her face when we told her the news? The woman was triumphant. I realized in that instant that the whole disapproval thing was a ploy to push me into making the right decision. I imagine Nadine had a similar expression when you told her.”
“Come to think of it, she did look awfully smug,” Josh said. “You don’t suppose those two were conspiring?”
“I wouldn’t put it past them.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Not much. You?”
He grinned. “I’m marrying you, aren’t I? How could I complain?”
Nadine couldn’t seem to stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks as she watched her son stand at the front of the church in his tux, his gaze riveted on Maggie as she walked down the aisle. His heart was in his eyes. She wondered if he had any idea how much joy she was taking in this moment, knowing that he was finally going to have the home and family she’d never been able to give him.
Beside her George took a second clean handkerchief from his pocket and silently handed it to her.
“I’m sorry I’m such a mess,” she whispered.
“I think it comes with the territory,” he said. “Mothers of the bride and groom are supposed to be a little weepy.”
“I absolutely love weddings,” Nadine said with a sigh. “But this is the best one yet. It’s certainly better than any of mine.”
“Maybe you just haven’t walked down the aisle with the right man yet,” he said, tucking her hand in his.
“Maybe not,” she said, feeling more hopeful than she had in a very long time.
She turned her attention back to Josh and saw a smile spread across his face as Maggie reached his side. He clasped her hand as if he’d never let go, then turned toward Caleb, clearly ready to say the vows that would join him and Maggie forever. Unfortunately, Caleb seemed to be momentarily distracted by the sight of Amanda in her elegant bridesmaid dress.
“Um, Caleb, do you think we could get this show on the road?” Josh murmured.
Caleb’s attention snapped back to the couple in front of him. “Dearly beloved,” he began.
Nadine sighed. “Something tells me those two are going to make a grandmama of me before another year is out,” she whispered.
A few months ago the idea would have appalled her. Now she could hardly wait. It wasn’t a matter of making her feel old as much as it was of enriching her life. She realized then that she was gaining a family the same way Josh was. Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
“This is the last one I have,” George said, handing her another folded handkerchief.
“I’m almost done crying,” she told him. “From the minute those two say I do, it’s going to be all about fresh starts and optimism.”
George looked doubtful and she could hardly blame him, since she’d already turned it into a three-hankie occasion. She noticed that across the aisle, Juliette was just as teary-eyed. Nadine gave her a quick thumbs-up that had her smiling.
Yes, indeed. Fresh starts and optimism from here on out, she concluded.
She stole a glance at George.
And maybe, if her luck held out this time, just a touch of romance.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-1756-4
FLIRTING WITH DISASTER
Copyright © 2005 by Sherryl Woods.
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