LOVE'S FUNNY THAT WAY

by Pamela Burford

  Charli was gratified to see Raven and Marina exchange a warm hug. After all, they were going to be sisters-in-law, or something like that, once Marina and Brent tied the knot. They'd planned an extravagant spring wedding followed by a month-long honeymoon cruise. Hunter and Raven, by contrast, were leaving tomorrow for England, where they would spend two weeks visiting his relatives, chowing down on pub food and taking in a play or two in London.

  "Are they serving a meal," Papa griped around a mouthful of shrimp cocktail, "or is it just this finger food?"

  "You and your stomach!" Mama snapped. "What did Dr. Berman say about your cholesterol?"

  "Let Dr.

  Berman starve."

  Charli said, "I'm sure they're serving a full meal, Papa."

  Mama lowered her voice. "We don't have a check for Raven and Hunter."

  "Of course we don't have a check!" Papa bellowed. "We didn't know we were going to a wedding! You can't expect presents if you're going to surprise everybody. I'll bet they didn't think about that."

  Charli said, "I don't think Raven and Hunter are that interested in presents. Papa. I think they just wanted to share their special day with the people they care about." She caught Sunny's eye, and Amanda's. The three shared an unspoken exchange and stood in unison.

  "I'm going to go congratulate them," Charli said, and beat a hasty retreat with Sunny and Amanda to the front of the room. The instant Raven spied her best friends, she launched into a jumble of hugs, kisses and laughter.

  Charli, Sunny and Amanda bestowed congratulatory kisses on Hunter, who wore a puckish smile as he said, "I trust you're not too disappointed that things didn't work out exactly as planned."

  Sunny's jaw dropped. "Raven! You told him about the pact?"

  "You weren't supposed to do that," Charli admonished.

  "Correction." Raven raised a finger. "I wasn't supposed to tell the guy I was set up with. We never said anything about the guy's brother."

  "Well, the important thing is that it all worked out," Amanda said. "All's well that ends well and all that."

  Raven drew her pals into a private huddle. "I know I wasn't into this whole matchmaking thing at first. And I know things got kind of mixed up along the way, but Amanda's right. It all worked out better than I could have imagined. I just want you guys to know—" her eyes got misty "—I'm so grateful to you. Without that crazy Wedding Ring pact, I'd never have met Hunter."

  Sunny said, "One down, three to go."

  "Two," Amanda corrected. "I'm no longer part of this deal, remember? I've had more than my share of husbands."

  Raven arched an eyebrow. "We'll deal with that issue when the time comes. Meanwhile…"

  All three turned to Charli.

  She swallowed hard. "I've been thinking about it. I don't really want to meet anyone. I mean, I can't get married. Mama and Papa need me—and my grandma—"

  "What is it with you guys?" Sunny demanded. "First Raven and now you. I know you want to get married, Charli."

  Charli felt her face heat. "I've changed my mind."

  "That's not the way it works," Sunny reminded her. "Remember what you told Raven when she tried to back out? That we made a promise to each other. We've never broken our promises, you said, and you were right."

  "But Amanda's backing out!" Charli objected.

  "Amanda thinks she's backing out," Raven said, spearing the obstinate divorcé with a significant look.

  Sunny said, "I think it's time to invoke the chicken clause." She, Raven and Amanda started flapping their elbows and clucking.

  "Stop it!" Charli fretted, as everyone within earshot turned to stare. They didn't stop, but clucked all the louder.

  Hunter strolled over to them. "Is this some bizarre bridal ritual I'm not supposed to witness?"

  "It's Charli's turn to get a husband," Sunny explained, "and she's trying to chicken out."

  Charli dropped her burning face into her hands, mortified when Hunter slid his arm around her shoulders. He leaned in close and spoke for her ears only. "There's no use fighting it, Carlotta. This is a pretty determined bunch, and I have a feeling they're not about to take no for an answer."

  She looked at him then, finding his expression one of such warm empathy that she felt her courage ratchet up a notch.

  He said, "I also have a feeling that whoever you end up with is going to be a very lucky man."

  Charli knew he was just trying to be nice, but he was right about one thing. Her pals weren't about to let her out of the pact. And perhaps Nonni was right when she accused Charli of taking the coward's way out.

  She didn't want to be Nonni's age, looking back on a lonely, duty-filled life, regretting that she'd let her one opportunity for happiness slip through her fingers.

  Charli took a deep breath. She lifted her chin. "All right," she said. "Find me a husband."

  * * * *