Summer went to work that morning with a new determination.
Instead of seeking reasons why Terry couldn’t fit into her life, she would simply relax and allow God to finish what He began.
Knowing her sisters were praying brought added confidence.
If she was going wrong, they would know.
She was not alone in this path. God had provided ample support for her. And she was willing to engage them all.
She used to wonder why brides who came to her sought their siblings’ acceptance of their fiancé, but now, she understood that Terry would be as much of a member of her family as her other siblings and their spouses.
Their tribe had grown.
What started as four girls all in their thirties, who were told they’d never marry, grew into them becoming not only married, but her sisters were mothers. She was sure a baby was not too far away for April and Kiel. Her family now had nieces and nephews, both by birth and adoption. They could start a whole city by themselves if they wanted to! Summer grinned.
If she ever thought she’d see the day when she and her three sisters would form a community by marriage, she would’ve thought it impossible, but it was happening and she embraced it with all her heart. And she could hardly wait to join their ranks.
When she reached her shop that morning, she whispered a prayer about her first meeting—the couple who’d had issues with their prior wedding planners—before approaching the entrance. She’d wanted them to have a great wedding, but it sounded like the bride’s mother could not accommodate their wedding venue, so they sought to come figure things out. They should be either on their way or already there.
As she alighted, head tipped to one side, she realized she was already missing Terry. She smiled as a message from April entered. Hey, sis, we love you. Sorry for getting off the call in a hurry. Had to go. We’re praying for you and him. :)
Summer replied, I need it, thanks. I love you all too. :) I’ll keep you posted, xoxo.
Footsteps crunched toward her, and she lifted her gaze. “Those sprinklers up here this morning were wetting my windows! Because of them, I can’t open up those windows.” A perched arm on her hip brought Summer face-to-face with her feisty neighbor. “I’ll send you a bill if you don’t turn them off.”
“Ma’am, those aren’t sprinkling water,” Summer coolly said. “I called in treatment for your windows when I spotted termites eating up the wood. The exterminators must’ve set them up. I left you a note, telling you what was happening. I was doing you a favor, not ruining your windows. I’m not a bad neighbor, but you keep complaining.”
The woman’s arms slid down to her side. “Well, I didn’t know.”
“Well, if you’d asked politely, I would’ve told you,” Summer returned. “Even if you thought that was water being sprinkled, threatening me isn’t good neighborliness.”
When the woman didn’t apologize or say anything further, Summer shook her head and walked away, crossing the threshold into her shop. In her office, she settled her purse down, leaving her protective detail outside, and wondering whether she still needed them. No one had bothered her or Terry in a while, and everything seemed okay. But this morning, Terry insisted, and she’d agreed to keep them for the time being.
Soon, a knock on her office door let her know her appointment was there. Her assistant let them in. “Hey. Welcome. Good to see you two again. Please”—she swept a hand toward some seats by her right—“have a seat and feel at home.”
“Thank you for seeing us again on such short notice.” The bride, Sherry-Lee, seemed happier, and color returned to her cheeks.
“Yes, and sorry for all the inconvenience we’re causing your other clients. I hope they understand our plight,” Paul added.
Summer glanced at the door. “I thought you’d said some family members were coming?”
The couple exchanged glances. “They were, but they changed their minds.”
“So?” Summer wasn’t going to let that slide unless she determined there was no cause for alarm.
“My mom.” The bride lowered her head. “Sharing the cancer diagnosis was really hard on her. She couldn’t handle a wedding prep without falling apart. She told us to go ahead.”
“And everyone else?”
“They were not really in the picture. But my grandmother…” Sherry-Lee exhaled.
The groom’s face tightened, and Summer wondered what the story was. “Yes?” she prodded.
“She, um, is very particular about how my wedding should go. I am the only granddaughter and the only granddaughter she would ever give away in marriage, so she was almost in tears.”
Paul took over. “I let her know how soon we had to get married, like right away. It’s just…her taste is so different from my fiancée’s that we’re having to change almost everything about the wedding but the bride to accommodate her preferences. I don’t know what else we should do.”
At the frustration in his tone, Summer knew she would be just as frustrated in his place. The poor young man simply wished to get married, but everyone kept getting in their way. Having seen this occur enough times in her profession, she had a radical solution.
Summer leaned forward. “Listen here. Since we’re facing a bit of a unique situation, I’m going to take some decisive steps. However, I have a question for you both. How serious are you about getting married right now?”
“Very,” the groom replied.
“Yes. Like as soon as possible,” the bride softly chimed.
“How angry would your family be if you had a low-key wedding that didn’t accommodate all their demands?”
“Some will be very upset,” Paul said.
“Yes, like my mom.” The bride slid her hand into his. “But she’ll be fine. She knows I love her.”
Summer clapped her hands, her mind made up. She only made this move once, but it had been warranted, just like now, when relatives were actively trying to sabotage a wedding. She wouldn’t allow it. No one should stand in the way of a couple already fighting many battles from getting married. “All right. I’ll take this wedding as my personal project. I will plan it, and you choose your dress and have it delivered here as soon as you can. Then provide me with the information for those whom you want to be present at your wedding. I’ll give you a date range for determining your families’ schedule. Then double-check with them about when they’ll be in town. As soon as that is settled, wait for me to give you the go. You get those few people to show up at the designated place and time, and we’ll get you married—without anyone’s prior knowledge, including yours. Agreed?”
The groom cracked his first smile. “Sounds adventurous, but I like it. Yeah, let’s do it. Babe?”
“Yes. I’d say do it.” The bride nodded.
Summer checked her bridal schedule and noted a few things down. “Good. You’ll both provide me with your information regarding dress and shoe sizes and all other such details, and when everything is ready, I will let you know.”
“Sounds great to me.” Paul grinned. “Best plan anyone has come up with in a while.”
Summer raised her pen. “On the condition that you tell no one.”
“Our lips are sealed.” While smiling, the bride pantomimed zipping her lips.
“Good then. Let me get to work.”
When Summer reached the safe house that evening, she was exhausted. She and Terry were expecting a call from Dave Tisk regarding the status of identifying the shooter. Living out of a house that wasn’t hers had been an inconvenience. But she’d also been grateful to be uncomfortable, but safe.
She greeted the officers protecting the entrance and entered. After setting down her purse and changing into slacks and a loose tee and slippers, she went downstairs determined to cook a meal. Tired of eating fast food and canned meals, she’d given one of the female officers cash and a list to help her buy some foodstuff.
Armed with a loaded refrigerator, she began cooking dinner. Two hours later, as she pulled the grilled chicken from the oven and served out five plates of spaghetti and meatballs, her favorite meal, for the officers protecting them, Terry arrived.
He clapped his hands. “Goodness and mercy have indeed followed me. Who’s cooking up that delicacy?” He entered the kitchen, eyes wide, and stopped at the door. “Something in this house smells delicious. I was expecting another evening of canned food, but you went to all this trouble, thank you. God, thank You for this amazing woman.” He grinned widely and wrapped her in a hug.
She kissed his cheek for the first time. “You’re welcome. Now, go and change before the aroma of food sticks to your clothes. You might not like me when you get to campus smelling of spaghetti sauce in the classroom,” Summer chided.
His laughter sailed through as he walked away and, about twenty minutes later, returned wearing black slacks and a bright red tee. “Can I help?”
Summer glanced around since she was already finishing up. “I’m almost done here, but if you could serve the officers their meals, starting with the ones outside, that would be great.”
Terry picked up the first covered bowl and stacked the second and third on it. “I can definitely do that.” Walking gingerly, he left the kitchen while she portioned out their own servings. She’d kept the food warm while he showered so they could eat together. This would be their first home-cooked meal together under the same roof, and she wanted them to eat it together instead of rushing ahead to eat hers first. She took the remainder of the portioned foods and cutleries and served the officers inside. All three thanked her. “You’re welcome. Please leave no leftovers.”
She returned to the kitchen just as Terry was coming back inside and took both their plates to the small dining table. This wasn’t a house meant to serve as a long-term home, so she understood why everything was sized a little smaller and just functional enough. Terry brought their water glasses and set hers across the table, proving he was intentionally creating some distance for their own good.
She sat across from him, and Terry said the grace. “Lord, thank You for this unexpected blessing. We are grateful to be alive. We are thankful to You for the provision. Please bless this food and bless the hands that cooked it. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.”
“Amen.” She picked up her fork, and just before she dug in, his hand settled lightly on hers.
“Thank you. For your thoughtfulness in preparing this meal. I appreciate it.” His eyes swam with gratitude.
Summer smiled. “I figured something from a pot and not a can would do us all some good.” She shrugged. “Plus, I needed a distraction from issues with my feisty neighbor at the shop.”
“What happened?” He picked up his fork, and as they ate, she told him. “I’m sorry to hear that.” After they chatted for a while, he asked. “Would you consider a different location, like farther downtown, for your shop?”
“You mean like that expensive real estate that cost a fortune to rent, let alone buy?” Laughter escaped her lips first. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. Farther downtown is good. But that is expensive. Really expensive.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t ask if you’d like to pay for it. I asked if you liked it.”
She raised her eyes to his slowly and swallowed the food in her mouth. “Um, if I like it then…?”
“I’ll get it for you.” Terry held her gaze. “Then I’ll tell you a couple more things about me you should know. Good stuff this time.” A smile teased his lips.
Her eyes rounded. “That would be amazing.”
He came around to her and squatted so they were eyeball-to-eyeball. “I’m really asking because I want to share a meal with you again. A home-cooked meal like this one. But not in a safe house. Not in my house. Not in your house.” A pause followed, and the air tinged with tension. He took her hand and kissed it, then lifted it to his heart. “But in our house.”
She was sure he should’ve placed her hand on her chest because, at this point, it was beating loudly. And she was speechless. “You didn’t have to say that for a small plate of spaghetti.”
He straightened, took his plate and hers, and paused at the kitchen door. “It wasn’t the spaghetti, love. It was the godly woman who prepared it that won my heart. I love you. Think about the offer. And about our next date. Tomorrow?”
She found her voice and nodded. “Yes. Tomorrow works.”
“Awesome, I’ll clean up here since you cooked. I need to grade some papers tonight. I’ll see you then.” He turned to the kitchen and settled the plates into the dishwasher.
She returned to her room with her head spinning, her heart dancing, and a permanent smile pulling at her face.
***