Morning Glory

by Carolyn Brown

  "This is what I want. To sit on the bench and for you two to send me off," she told him.

  Before Tucker could answer, Briar Nelson pulled up in front of the drug store. In view of everyone on Main Street and Inez Potter who was peeking out the sparkling clean store window, he loaded her suitcase in the car. Then he scooped her up into his arms and gave her a passionate, lingering kiss on the lips. He carried her to the car and placed her inside.

  He waved at Tucker and Tilly before he started the engine. "We'll see you in a week," he called out.

  "I love you both," Clara called out. She picked up a bouquet of roses and tossed it out the window. Tucker stepped back and Tilly caught it.

  She and Briar would stop at the courthouse in Ardmore for a simple ceremony, and then they were on a weeklong honeymoon that could take them anywhere or nowhere. As long as she was with Briar, she didn't care where they went, just so they collected Libby from Judith and Cecil the next week and brought her home with them. Home where she'd live the rest of her life with Briar Nelson ... until death parted them, because that's the only thing that could.

  A silly dreamer, that's what folks called Clara Anderson. Dreaming of the day when the love of her life would pick her up in front of the drug store and carry her away to live happily ever after.

  Briar Nelson did just that.