“That was the biggest surprise of all.”
“It wouldn’t be, if you’d seen him sitting in the chapel at the hospital,” Sari replied somberly. “From what you’d told me about him, it was an indication of how deeply he felt about you.”
Merrie nodded. “He’s changed. It’s a very good change,” she said softly. “But he still hasn’t really said what he feels.”
“Paul didn’t, either, but I knew,” Sari replied. “It was in the way he looked at me. It’s the same way Ren looks at you, sweetheart,” she added. “You’re his whole world.”
“He’s mine, too.”
“That was nice of you, to ask Mr. Garza to give you away at the wedding. He isn’t what he seems, is he?”
“Not at all. I hoped you wouldn’t mind,” she said. “I wouldn’t have wanted Daddy to give me away. But I really couldn’t ask anyone else locally, for fear of hurting someone’s feelings. So Mr. Garza seemed the perfect choice. I’m still surprised that it touched him that deeply.”
“Mikey says he was married years ago and his wife died young. He wanted kids really badly but they never had any.”
“Maybe that’s why.”
Sari smiled. “Maybe so. Now we have to go shopping for casual clothes.”
“Nothing risqué,” Merrie said. “We’re going to Tangier for our honeymoon. I don’t want to make people uncomfortable. Attitudes are very different over there.”
“As if you ever wore anything reckless in your life!” Sari chided. “You’ll fit right in in Morocco.”
“It’s such an exotic place for a honeymoon,” Merrie sighed. “I’m shell-shocked. Two months ago I was so miserable. I’d never even been on a date!”
“How times change.” Sari laughed.
“You think it will be okay, traveling so far away?” Merrie worried. “Tony says I’m safe, but I’m still worried.”
“If Tony says you’re safe, then you’re safe,” Sari replied. “Believe me, if he called off the contract, it’s called off. Nobody sane would refuse him.”
“Okay, then.” She laughed. “Oh, I’m so happy!”
Sari hugged her. “I’m so happy for you!” She hesitated. “Ren had a call from Randall today, didn’t he?”
“Yes. His mother’s biopsy was positive,” she replied. “I’m going to make sure we go and see her before we leave for Morocco. Since we’re going in our own jet, and the hotel reservations were made, at least we don’t have to worry about getting seats on some overcrowded plane.”
“Does he want to go and see his mother?” Sari asked.
“Actually, I think he does. Randall said he’d been mellowing toward her for some time now.” She smiled at Sari. “Families should stick together, when they can.”
“They should.” Sari smiled back.
*
THE WEDDING WAS a big event. The small Methodist church in Jacobsville, where Sari and Merrie had attended for years, was packed to capacity. Reverend Jake Blair, the pastor, smiled at the odd assemblage occupying the bride’s side of the church. There were some equally odd people on the groom’s. Some were still wearing combat gear, having only had time enough to swing by for the wedding on the way to active duty.
Merrie was so happy that she was almost floating when Sari put the finishing touches on the pins holding up her long blond hair.
“There,” Sari said. “You’re perfect!”
Merrie stood up. “I’m so scared,” she blurted out, and then flushed, because she wanted to marry Ren more than she wanted anything in the world.
“It will be all right,” Sari assured her. “Everybody’s scared, darling. Everybody. It’s a big step. Just take a deep breath, and relax.”
Merrie took a deep breath. She wished it had relaxed her.
She went out to find Tony Garza, handsome in the latest wedding finery, waiting for her. She went up to him, smiling, and took his arm.
He shook his head. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen, next to my own late wife. You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” she said with a shy smile.
“Now, you hold me up and make sure I don’t fall, because I’m real nervous,” he whispered at her ear.
She laughed helplessly. The wedding march started and all eyes turned to the back of the church. Merrie let Tony lead her to the altar, where a nattily dressed Ren was waiting for her.
*
THE SERVICE SEEMED to be over in no time. After they said their “I dos,” Ren kissed her with breathless tenderness. Merrie looked up at him with her heart in her eyes. He brushed away her tears and kissed her again. They ran down the aisle to cheers.
The fellowship hall was as full as the church had been. Barbara’s Café had catered the event. Ren fed Merrie cake while the photographer they’d hired took candid shots for their wedding album.
“Nice turnout,” Cash Grier said with a grin, his beautiful redheaded wife, Tippy, on his arm. “I think I see a few familiar faces from the FBI’s Most Wanted list,” he added in a low tone.
“That’s no way to talk about my adopted father,” Merrie teased.