The second marriage proposal Livi received was very different from the first. There were no friends around to witness because the proposal took place in a limousine, an extravagance her sweetheart said he was not going to make a habit of in the future, because, “I’ll have important investments to make, such as certain worthy nonprofits.”
The big moment had come after dinner at the Space Needle on May 5—the one-year anniversary of that fateful day when she’d first heard the name Guy Hightower. There were no predictions of what a good life she and Guy would have together. There was no need. She already knew.
The ring was a princess cut one-carat diamond with a rose gold band. “Do you like it?” Guy had asked.
“I love it. And I love you!”
The wedding still took place the weekend after Labor Day, as planned. The bride was beautiful as she stood under the arbor in the garden at Primrose Haus in Icicle Falls. And it was the best moment of Guy’s life when the minister finally said the long awaited, “You may kiss your bride.” And kiss her he did, to hoots and applause from the men and a chorus of sighs from every female present.
The reception was a catered affair with salmon and prawns, prime rib and Caesar salad—something the groom had insisted on paying for. The cake was an edifice, a miniature Eiffel Tower to signify the bride and groom’s honeymoon destination.
“You two are going to be so happy,” Livi’s sister-in-law predicted, then said to Livi, “Now, hurry up and get pregnant so little David has a cousin to play with.”
“We’ll have fun working on that,” Guy said, making his bride blush.
“Good luck,” Morris Bentley said to them. He kissed Livi on the cheek and shook hands with Guy, giving his blessing—something that was easier to do now that he’d met a woman online. She was into monster truck racing and camping and action movies.
“A much better match for him than I ever was,” Livi had said, although Morris wasn’t quite ready to admit that yet.
Her father had welcomed Guy to the family and his mother was delighted to finally have an ideal daughter. And the stepsisters... Sent their regrets and place settings of Livi and Guy’s china. Mom had brought a special gift for the couple: the Limoges chocolate pot. Which, had, of course, put Livi in tears and endeared her to his mother forever.
“I hope it works out,” Guy’s brother Mike said to him later as the couple made the rounds, visiting with their guests.
“It will,” Guy said. “And thanks for the contribution.”
Mike shook his head. “A goofy wedding present if you ask me. But then I think you’ve gone nuts. Leaving us, selling the Maserati and your digs in Seattle, moving to that Podunk town—dude, where is your head these days?”
“In a good place,” Guy assured him.
“You’ve lost your edge.”
“No, I’m just focusing in a new direction.”
“You’re gonna end up broke,” Mike warned.
He looked to where his bride stood, visiting with Tillie and her daughters. “Never,” he said. He was now a very rich man.