“I’m pretty sure I was being unreasonable,” she admitted, offering a rueful smile. “In fact, I’m certain of it.”
“My mom used to be a waitress,” he told her as if their earlier conversation had never been interrupted. “Sometimes, after my dad left, the extra money she earned from tips bought our food.”
While she considered a response that would convey she truly did understand, Hope lifted the award from his hand and placed it on the side table. This brought her close to him, which was right where she wanted to be.
“When I see someone waiting tables who appears to be struggling, I like to help them out.” He met her gaze. “That’s not going to change.”
“I don’t want you to change.” Hope rested her hand on his arm, her gaze remaining on his.
“I just thought you should know.”
“And you should know I’m not going to do taxes anymore,” Hope announced and saw surprise skitter across his face. “You were right. Financially, there’s no need and I don’t enjoy it. What I do enjoy is spending time with you and Verna. I like having the option of going for pizza at three in the afternoon if the mood strikes me or my husband.”
A light flared in his eyes. Though he hadn’t yet noticed she was wearing her wedding ring, she knew he hadn’t missed the significance of her use of the word husband.
“Chet stopped me when I was leaving the courthouse. He said I was holding you back, that I needed to let you go. But I won’t just walk away from you. You have to tell me to go and mean it.”
“Chet Tuttle doesn’t have a clue how I feel about you.” Hope closed the last few inches that separated them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gazed into those amazing blue eyes. “If he did, he’d know I’m hopelessly in love with my husband. I’m only sorry it took me this long to say it.”
John drew her to him and held her close, not saying a word.
“I love you.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “I never stopped.”
His lips brushed her cheek. “It’s the same for me.”
“Look.” She stepped back and lifted her ring hand. “It’s on and it’s staying there.”
His smile flashed as bright as a bolt of sunshine. He bent to kiss her, but as she melted against him her foot hit something on the floor. John’s arms tightened around her as she stumbled.
“What in the—” Hope glanced at her feet. She narrowed her eyes. “How did that end up on the floor?”
Always the gentleman, John retrieved the box and handed it to her.
She smiled at the return address. “I bet these are Luke and Laura’s wedding invitations. I wonder which ones Verna ended up ordering.”
John nuzzled her neck. “If you’re curious, open it.”
She giggled as he continued to scatter kisses against her throat. Grasping the front of his coat, Hope pressed a hard kiss against his mouth before releasing him and focusing on the box.
Lifting out one of the invitations, she read for a second, then gasped.
John’s fingers, which had been toying with a strand of her hair, stilled. “Surely they can’t be that bad.”
Words failed her. Hope could only gesture mutely at the invitation in her hand.
John took the embossed paper from her. As he read aloud, his lips curved.
From every valley to every summit, faithfully yours forever
Miss Verna Prentiss
Asks you to join her in honoring
Hope Anne Prentiss
fnd
John William Burke
As they celebrate the beginning of their lives together
and exchange vows of commitment
December twentieth at five o’clock
Mistletoe Inn at Harmony Creek
Two lives, two hearts united forever in love
Hope glanced at John. “You know what this means?”
“We’re Luke and Laura.” He grinned. “And we’re about to have a proper wedding.”
Hope stood outside the parlor of Mistletoe Inn, which had been transformed into a Christmas bridal chapel. Garlands of evergreen, pinecones, and white lights adorned the window ledges. Chairs covered with sheer red fabric and ruffles added a festive air, as did the large urns filled with red roses, white calla lilies, and eucalyptus decorating the small platform at the front where they’d soon repeat their vows. Every chair in the room was filled. Despite all the holiday festivities and the lateness of the invitations, every guest had showed up.
Resplendent in his dark tux, John waited with Pastor Dan at the edge of the platform.
The dress Hope had picked out in the bridal shop two months earlier fit perfectly. Verna had given her a blue garter to wear that she’d bought long ago for her own wedding. Hope was touched. Not only by the offer of something so precious, but by everything her aunt had continued to do to make this day special.