by Cindy Kirk
I’d heard about the River Oaks Country Club for years but had never seen it for myself. Now, as the driver swung the door of the limo open and offered me his hand, I stepped into a whole new world. The gorgeous front doors were majestic in size. Gorgeous. I could barely breathe as I took it all in.
A man in a tuxedo greeted us, and we took a few cautious steps into the grand foyer. “Are you here for the Havenhurst reception?”
I nodded, unable to speak as I gazed upward at the massive chandeliers, in all of their crystallized beauty.
“This way, please.” He gestured down the hallway to our right and we walked as a group until we came to the reception hall. There simply were no words to describe its beauty.
“Wow.” Cassie’s eyes widened. “This is . . . wow.”
“Wow is right.” I stood completely dumbfounded by the place.
Off in the distance a band played country tunes, my sister’s favorite. The heavenly aroma of food emanated from the buffet table to our right. I pushed away the “sixty-five dollars a head” speech rolling around in my brain and made up my mind to relax and enjoy myself.
A few minutes later my parents arrived with Grandma Nellie close behind. As they were seated, she carried on and on about the beautiful room. “This place!” She gestured to the hall chandeliers, also dripping with crystals. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Me either. But I think Crystal is going to have the time of her life. This is perfect for her.”
“She deserves this.” My grandmother’s eyes flooded with tears. “You, too, precious girl. You deserve this, and so much more.”
“Aw, thank you, Grandma Nellie. Maybe someday.”
“Maybe someday . . . soon.” She nodded toward Derrick, who stood nearby, talking to one of the groomsmen. “Remember, sometimes the Lord—”
I put up my hand and laughed. “Don’t say it. Don’t say it.”
At that moment, the deejay announced the arrival of the bride and groom. The guests rose and greeted them with applause, and then the band began to play.
I stepped away from my family’s table as Crystal and Phillip took to the floor to share their first dance as husband and wife. In that moment, as I saw the two of them together, all concerns about my sister’s happiness faded away. Phillip couldn’t take his eyes off her, and she returned his gaze, a blissful expression on her face.
“They’re a perfect match.”
I turned when I heard Derrick’s voice and then nodded, a lump rising in my throat. I managed to speak above it as I said, “Yes, they are.”
Derrick slipped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “I’m just waiting for all the designated dances to end so I can spin you around the dance floor.”
“Did I forget to mention that I’m a terrible dancer?”
“Sure you are.”
“No, really. I’m terrible.”
“You said you were terrible at baking, too, and you made some pretty amazing cookies.”
“Your mom made those.”
“Well, sometimes all it takes is someone leading the way.” He gave me a knowing look. “You can follow and learn the steps.”
“So you’re good at dancing?”
“No.” He laughed. “I was kind of hoping you were so you could teach me. But I know enough to fake it.” He leaned close, his voice lowering. “And honestly? I won’t be thinking about my feet. If you’ll dance with me, I’ll just be thinking about how lucky I am.”
Okay, someone had better pinch me, and quick. What had I done to deserve a guy like this?
Before I could give it another thought, one of the wedding guests approached Derrick. “Dude, you’re Derrick Richardson.”
“I am.”
“Could I have your autograph?”
“Of course.” He signed the guy’s wedding program. This started a group of fans gathering around him, just as my father took to the floor for the father-daughter dance. Derrick continued to sign autographs as Phillip and his mom shared a dance, but he finally managed to turn everyone’s attention back to the bride and groom, who opened the dance floor to all of their guests.
“Finally!” Derrick slipped his arm around my waist again. “I thought this moment would never come. Let’s hit the floor, Southpaw.”
I took a couple of steps, but a troubling thought caused me to stop just short of the dance floor. “I’d love to dance with you, Derrick, but before I do, I think I need to take a spin with a different partner. Do you mind?”
“A different partner?” For a moment Derrick looked offended—until I pointed to Tyler, who stood against the wall, looking lost and a little overwhelmed. “Ah. Great move, Southpaw. Show the guy how to trip the light fantastic.”
“I’ll show him how to trip, all right. Over my feet, is more like it.” The belly laugh that followed must’ve startled the prim and proper woman to my right. She turned to give me a stare, straight down her nose. Oops. Almost forgot where I was. People probably didn’t belly laugh at the River Oaks Country Club.
“Promise you’ll save the next dance for me?” Derrick asked.
I nodded and then stood on tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek. “I promise.” Then, with a song in my heart, I headed over to Tyler, extended my hand, and offered him the first dance.
My sister’s reception turned out to be the party of the century. I’d never seen so many people have such fun. Turned out the country club set knew how to celebrate, especially when it came to the dance floor, where they boot-scoot’n boogied the night away. Go figure.
The sixty-five-dollar-per-head dinner was scrum-diddly-umptious. Even Grandma Nellie agreed. My dad loved the Chicken Cordon Bleu so much that he almost forgot about the price tag attached. Almost.
And me? I almost forgot there was no nacho cheese dip to be found anywhere.
After Crystal and Phillip cut the cake, the time arrived for the maid of honor and best man to give their speeches. Derrick went first. My heart went out to him as he held the microphone in hand. I’d seen him perform on the ball field, but how would he do with a speech? Turned out, pretty good. He told stories about Phillip that made us laugh . . . and sigh. I had to give it to him.
His job as best man now complete, he passed the microphone to Sienna. Poor girl. Her social skills obviously didn’t extend to public speaking. She stumble-bumbled her way through the speech, pretty much making a goober of herself. In fact, she got so flustered at one point that I thought she might run from the room crying.
Derrick gave me that same knowing look he’d given me before. As Sienna ended her speech, he took the microphone and handed it to me. I put my hand over it and mouthed the words, “What are you doing?”
“You know.” He nodded. “Go for it. Give your sister a maid of honor speech she’ll never forget.”
And so I did. I shared a funny story about the time we’d shared an upper bunk at camp, and she’d knocked me out of it in the middle of the night. I also told the story about the night she’d decided to go on the mission trip to Haiti, how she’d cried as she talked about the children she wanted to help.
When I finished, the whole crowd cheered. Crystal threw her arms around my neck and squeezed me so tight she almost crushed my windpipe. Next in line to give me a power hug was Phillip. After that, strangely, Sienna. She gave me a quick hug and mumbled, “Thank you for saving my neck.” I hadn’t really saved her, of course, but hugged her in response. Maybe, with time, this goofy girl would win me over. And she did, when she added, “You know I love her. Do you think she’ll forgive me for falling down on the job?”
“Of course. My sister loves you too, you know.”
In a surprise move, Sienna threw her arms around my neck and gave me a warm hug. Though stunned, I couldn’t help but hug her back. Afterward, she gave me a cute little wave and then headed across the room to visit with some of the other bridesmaids. Go figure.
I headed to the cake table for a second slice of the dark chocolate groom’s cake. I
found my father standing nearby with a large slice from the almond-flavored wedding tier. He took a big bite and sighed, then spoke with a full mouth. “Good stuff. Almost worth the fifteen-hundred-dollar price tag.”
“It is pretty good. Wonder what that breaks down to per slice?”
“I’d rather not think about it, thank you very much.” He took another huge bite.
I laughed and then continued to eat my cake. Mmm.
Just about that time, the deejay announced it was time for the bouquet toss. I hadn’t planned to join the festivities, but my father insisted. “Go ahead, Mari. I’ll slip over there and tell your sister to aim it your direction. I paid a hundred and twenty-five dollars for that throw-away bouquet. I’d like to keep it in the family.”
I put my cake plate down. “You’ll do no such thing. But, are you serious? Don’t you know what it means if I catch it?” I stared at him, not quite believing it. “You’re already wanting to do this wedding thing all over again? Don’t you think you’d better give your wallet a rest?”
“Yeah, probably. But I know you. When you do get married, it won’t be here. It’ll be a simple wedding at the church with a reception in the fellowship hall. I’ll toss a couple of briskets on the grill and we’ll invite folks to wear their cowboy boots. And you won’t be paying fifteen hundred dollars for a high-end wedding cake.”
“You’re right about that last part. I happen to know someone who’s great at baking, and she would probably be open to the idea of making my cake. But why are we talking about weddings, Dad? Derrick and I have only been dating a while.”
“I know that, but a father can hope, can’t he? You know how cool it would be if I could tell people my daughter was going to marry a pro baseball player? I’d be a celebrity at the office.”
“So this isn’t really about me?” I shook my head. “You want me to marry a pro ballplayer because it’ll make you more popular at work?”
“Hey, just saying it wouldn’t hurt. And maybe we’d get season tickets to the Astros games. I’m not asking him to fork them over right now, of course, but maybe one day. And who knows? You and Derrick might fall head over heels in a hurry and decide you can’t wait to tie the knot. Stranger things have happened.”
The deejay called for single women to line up behind the bride and, at my father’s insistence, I walked over to join the other bridesmaids. My sister counted down—“three, two, one . . .”—and then the bouquet flew up in the air, over her head, headed straight for me. I almost had it in my hands when Sienna took a flying leap and attempted to grab it away.
Really?
Oh. No. You. Don’t.
Thank goodness, I grabbed it first. The bouquet was mine, all hundred and twenty-five dollars’ worth of it.
The crowd cheered, especially my father, who must’ve taken it as a sign straight from above. He walked over to Derrick, patted him on the back, and then said something that made my fella laugh.
Derrick looked my way and shrugged. I returned the gesture and then held the bouquet close, concerned that Sienna might still try to nab it. Behind me, I heard my grandmother’s voice ring out. “I told you, precious girl.”
I turned to face her. “Told me what?”
“Sometimes, the Lord, he—”
“I know, I know.” Laughter followed on my end. “Don’t say it, Grandma Nellie.”
Derrick stepped into the spot beside me, his brow wrinkled in obvious confusion. “Don’t say what?”
“Oh, nothing.” I tried not to giggle when my grandmother jabbed me with her elbow.
Derrick extended his hand and then gave me a little nod. “Could I interest you in another dance, Ms. Hays?”
“Absolutely.” I pressed the bouquet into Grandma Nellie’s hands and then took his arm. “You certainly may, Mr. Richardson.”
I couldn’t help but notice the photographer snap our picture as we headed out to the dance floor. I didn’t mind, as long as it didn’t end up on the front page of the sports section. Or, heaven forbid, the society column. I cringed just thinking about that one.
Then again, dating a guy as famous as Derrick probably meant my whole life would change, once the tabloids caught on. Maybe I’d better prepare for life in the spotlight. And while I was at it, I’d prepare for a lot of baseball games in my future. Knowing this wonderful fella was on my team suddenly made the sport much more appealing.
And, as he took me for a spin around the dance floor, I had to admit one other thing as well. I might not be the maid of honor at this shindig, but this guy—this awesome, Godly guy—was certainly the best man for me.
Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over 100 books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books, and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh.
Janice was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She currently serves as president of her local ACFW chapter (Writers on the Storm), where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing.
Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. Her tagline, “Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters!” sums up her take on life.
She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. When she’s not busy writing or playing with her eight grandchildren, Janice can be found in the kitchen, baking specialty cakes and cookies for friends and loved ones. No matter what she’s cooking up—books, cakes, cookies or mischief—she does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all. You can find out more about Janice at www.janiceathompson.com.
To my husband and three children for their patience, prayers, and making sure at deadline time my iced tea glass is full, there’s a bag of M&Ms in the house, and Peanut Buster Parfaits show up at just the right time.
Oh, no. Jenna Harrison stared at the clock hanging on the wall of her photography studio—aka a converted bedroom. Only fifteen minutes until her clients arrived for their engagement photo session.
The tick-tock of the second hand pounded in her brain like a marching band bass drum. She tightened her grip on the sparkly tiara cutout attached to a long stick.
With a flurry of June weddings to shoot, her business, Picture Perfect Photography of Sweetwater, Washington, had been crazy busy since the month began. She hadn’t planned on a new save-the-date photo idea striking her at lunch today. But she recognized the potential, so she’d been making new signs to go with the photo booth props—mustaches, lips, glasses, hats, and dialogue bubbles.
She placed the tiara with the other items on a nearby table, then printed out the couple’s photo requests, including shots with the new puppy they’d rescued from a local animal shelter. They wanted fun and fabulous engagement pictures. As if Jenna took any other kind. And her calendar stayed full with proposals, weddings, and engagement sessions.
Her cell phone rang. The generic ring tone didn’t belong to her parents or her brother, Colton. With no time to talk, she glanced at caller ID. Kerri Williams, a friend from church and one half of the couple Jenna was expecting for the photo shoot. Better take this call.
“Picture Perfect Photography. This is Jenna.”
“Hey, it’s Kerri.” The October bride’s breath sounded ragged and uneven, as if she’d been exercising. “We’re running late.”
“No problem. We’ve got all afternoon.” A half-howl, half-whimper filled Jenna’s ear. More animal than human. “Is everything okay?”
“Now, yes. Ten minutes ago, no. When Michael arrived at my house, we realized Peaches had escaped from the backyard. The shelter told us she was a digger, but we hadn’t seen her do that yet. W
e found her splashing in a puddle a block away. I’d taken her to the dog groomer this morning, and she looked so pretty. Michael has her in the bathtub and is washing off the dirt.”
Michael was Kerri’s high school sweetheart and fiancé. A nice guy who cracked jokes and treated his bride-to-be like a princess.
“I’m sorry. We can reschedule the session if that would be easier.”
“Today is fine,” Kerri said. “Peaches would rather be dirty than clean, so this might happen again if we reschedule. Who am I kidding? I’m sure she would get herself into some kind of mess or trouble.”
Kerri’s exasperation brought a smile to Jenna’s lips. “Don’t worry. There’s no rush.” By the time Kerri and Michael arrived with Peaches, Jenna would be ready. She added two veil cutouts and three different bow tie selections to the other props on the table. Now to select frames. “You’re my only appointment today.”
Having a few extra minutes to prepare for the session meant no more rushing around. Not that Jenna’s clients would know she was behind schedule. She’d built her reputation being calm and cool under pressure, especially on wedding days when stress levels could skyrocket into the stratosphere over a loose thread or scuffed shoes.
“Oh, thank you.” Kerri’s relief was palpable. “We shouldn’t be long. I never realized a puppy could be such hard work. Or how fast those little paws could dig or run.”
“Yes, but they’re so cute!” Jenna searched through her frame assortment for ones to match the couple’s outgoing personality. Maybe the black one. “Plus you get amazing welcome-home greetings and unconditional love.”
“Sounds like you want a puppy.”
“I thought about getting a dog two years ago after my wedding was canceled, but decided against one.” A pet was more than she could afford then. Maybe when she was out of debt . . .
“Speaking of canceled weddings, I saw Claire Conway this morning at the bakery.” Kerri sounded worried, the way all of them had been about the physical therapist. “Maybe she should get a dog so she won’t be so lonely.”
