Crossroads (Chance City Series Book Three)
Page 24
Ray mulled that over. “You, Mr. Ellis, are a wise man. Do better. I like that.”
Wheels smiled. “Happy to help. So do we call you the First Man of Chance City?”
“Nah. Just call me the baker.”
“You should get Nora to make raisin filled cookies for you. Hers are the best I’ve ever eaten,” Wheels said.
Ray said, “About that. I’ve heard that she’s a great baker. How would you feel about her working part-time for me?”
Wheels chuckled. “That’s fine with me, but it’s not up to me. I’m not one of those husbands who’s gonna make his wife ask permission for stuff. I bet she’d enjoy it. Ask her.”
“I’ll do that.”
Carly caught Ray’s eye from across the room. The come-hither look she sent him made his blood run a little hotter.
“Wheels, I think my bride is ready to leave for our honeymoon.” He stood up, smoothing down his tuxedo jacket.
Wheels smiled at the look in Ray’s eyes as he gazed at Carly. He knew that feeling all too well. “Well, you better not keep her waiting. Have a great time.”
Ray held out a hand to him. “Thanks for everything, Wheels.”
“I haven’t really done anything, but you’re welcome.”
Ray kept hold of Wheels’ hand. “Sure you have. You’re now one of my closest friends. You haven’t judged me or made me feel guilty for the things I’ve done. You accept me and that means more to me than anything else you could ever do.”
Wheels smiled. “It’s like you said: us grooms have to stick together. We found our way along those crossroads we were talking about.”
“Yeah. I just had to back up and head down the right path since I missed it the first time,” Ray said.
“Life’s like that. You go on now. Don’t let me hold you up.”
Ray clapped his back and went to join his wife. Nora came to sit with Wheels, holding his hand.
“I’m so happy for them,” she said. “They make a beautiful couple. I can only imagine what their children will look like.”
Wheels smiled. “Yeah. They’ll be a bunch of lookers. Carly said she wants as many as possible as soon as possible. She keeps worrying about her age.”
Nora chuckled. “They’ve got a good start, then. But it’s not as if she’s old or anything. She needs to stop worrying about that. Obviously her age doesn’t matter to Ray.”
“Nope.” He kissed her hand. “Our kids are beautiful.”
She gave him a curious look. “We don’t have any.”
“Not yet, but wherever they are, they’re beautiful. I hope we have at least one of our own, but if not, I know that no matter how our kids come into our lives, they’ll be beautiful,” Wheels said.
Nora grew misty-eyed and swatted his arm lightly. “Now why did you have to make me cry? You are the sweetest man I know. And the handsomest.”
Wheels put an arm around her, kissing her cheek. “And you are the most beautiful, kindest woman I know.”
“And thoughtful. Don’t forget that,” Nora teased.
Wheels laughed. “Very true.”
“Are you tired?”
“No. Not a bit. Why?”
Nora gave him a devilish smile. “There are strawberries and champagne at home.”
Wheels said, “In that case, I think it’s time to leave.”
She giggled and they began saying their goodbyes.
*****
While the end of August brought closure for some in Chance City, it brought many changes, both good and bad, for others. They would face hard choices and experience joy, each person coming to crossroads where they would have to choose their fate. Would their choices lead along good paths, or tempt them to travel down the wrong way? Only time would tell.
The End