“Spring flowers are so exquisite!” her mom exclaimed, gathering up wedding albums from the reception desk. “Plant them in the autumn then forget about them. Then after a long, dreary winter, they pop up out of the ground and delight you in the spring. Which is a good thing because who knows how much time you’ll have to garden next year—what with building a house. Getting ready for a summer wedding. Working and—”
“Starting All-Stars Sports Ranch.”
“Whew, it’s a lot. But I know you two will manage.” She pointed over to the pair of love seats. “I guess we should get started with this preliminary appointment before your guys get back. Oh, and your dad and I were wondering, are you coming over tonight to watch the game?”
Megan nodded. “Oh yes. Mac said to let you know we will definitely be there.”
“Great!” her mom said as they sank into the pink cushions alongside each other. “Well … I thought first we’ll browse through these books, showing you some of the other weddings Pam and I have planned, just to get an idea of what you think you might like. And then—then we’ll …” her mom’s voice faltered. She dipped her head, put her hand to her mouth.
“What? Mom, are you okay?”
“I’m sorry.” Her mom lifted her head, tears glistening in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she repeated. “I told myself I wasn’t going to do this. Wasn’t going to get all emotional. But, I can’t help it. I’ve never planned such a special wedding before. A wedding for my girl. My daughter. Oh Meg.” She sniffed. “I’m so happy you and Mac have each other! I’m so glad you found your happily-ever-after.”
Her mom’s tears almost made her own flow. But she kept swallowing them back, even as she plucked a tissue from the box next to the china tea setting on the table and handed it to her mom. Rubbing her mom’s shoulder till she got a hold of herself, Megan glanced around We Do! Wedding Planners and realized for the first time ever she actually felt comfortable being there.
After all the years of rolling her eyes at her mom’s romantic notions of love … after all the years of not believing in love’s possibility for her life, she noticed that the candy heart pink loveseats seemed to be just the right color. And all the tulle and satin, all the lace and pink bows, weren’t overbearing at all. They were just perfect. And precious. As precious as loving someone with all of your heart could be.
“Mom …” she said wistfully. “When did you know?”
“Hmm?” Her mom dabbed at her eyes.
“About Mac and me? When did you know, do you remember?”
“Oh, that’s easy.” She clutched the tissue in her hand and sighed as if content. “It was the day of the Amazing Race. Your dad and I had finished the race and we were walking over to Nisbet Park to rest, and I noticed the two of you along the bike path. Mac was pushing Sammy’s wheelchair and you were walking alongside him. And you both looked so—” Her voice cracked a bit. “Happy. Very happy and so—”
“Together?” she asked, to quote her mom.
“Definitely together.” Her mom nodded. “Connected.”
“Wow, so you saw that in us months ago?” Megan shook her head. “You would’ve never forgiven me if I would’ve completely blown it with him, would you?” She smiled. “Actually, come to think of it, I wouldn’t have ever forgiven myself.”
“Oh Meggie.” Her mom chuckled. “The thing is, what I love thinking about most, is that God knew you two would be together. Even before you were ever born.”
“You’re right. He did, didn’t He?”
All those times when she’d plucked daisy petals as a young girl, dreaming of love and marriage … all the lonely nights as a young woman when she never dreamed there’d be anyone for her, He’d already had her happiness in place. He knew exactly the daddy He had in mind for Sammy. Exactly the man He’d created for her.
MacNeill Hattaway, former baseball star. Mac, her catch of a lifetime.
Cathy Liggett lives in southwest Ohio with her husband of over thirty years and two grown children. Her passion for all things involved in writing started at a very young age and still inspires her today. She is the author of both fiction and non-fiction.
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