“More than anything.”
“Wearing jeans?”
“What else should we be wearing?”
I didn’t know what to say.
“So, Stella. Please, will you marry me right now?”
I looked at Carla, who was smiling and nodding so hard she looked like one of those stupid bobbleheads people put on their dashboards. Bryan even looked pleased by the idea, but his reaction was a lot more subtle.
Nick seemed hopeful, and happy, and a little bit nervous. I slid my arms around his neck and pulled him close. “Of course I’ll marry you right now, you wonderful man.”
“That’s good,” he said into my hair. “Because the justice of the peace is waiting for us.”
“You made a reservation?”
“That’s how I roll, Babe.”
We filed into the little courtroom, where a gray-haired woman waited for us with a smile and a rose, which she handed to me. “You must be the Crown and Hathaway party.”
Nick squeezed my hand. “We are.”
“Congratulations on this momentous day. Shall we begin?”
“Yes,” I said. “Let’s begin right away.”
And so I promised to love, cherish, and honor Nick, forsaking all others, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, becoming his and his alone. We were bound by the court, and our love, and by all that is holy and good in this world and beyond.
Until death did us part.
“That better be a long, long time from now,” I said.
“Oh, it will be,” Nick said. “If I have anything to say about it.”
“You may kiss the bride,” the justice said.
Carla made a noise, and I looked at her. “Are you crying?”
“No.” She sniffled, and Bryan handed her a NASCAR handkerchief. “And why do you care, anyway? Stop looking at me and kiss that gorgeous husband of yours.”
So I did.
Eventually, I pulled back. “Nick, I’m afraid death may part us this afternoon.”
“Stella, I feel fine. Why are you worried?”
“Because Miranda’s going to kill us.”
His eyes widened. “You’re right. So I guess we’d better go on our honeymoon right from here.”
“Honeymoon? Nick, I haven’t packed. I haven’t planned a trip. There’s the farm. I can’t possibly—”
Carla yanked my arm and dragged me toward the door. “You are the worst bride I’ve ever seen. Don’t you think Nick’s already thought of those things? I’ve got two suitcases in my truck, just for you.”
“You packed my stuff?”
“Well, some of it. Most of it is brand new.”
I turned to Nick. “You’ve really thought of everything?”
“What I’ve missed, others will take care of.”
“Lucy’s in on it?”
“Leaving for the honeymoon immediately was her idea.”
I stood in the foyer of the courthouse and realized that not only was I a new wife, but I was a very, very, extremely happy woman.
“Come on, husband,” I said. “Let’s get going. I’ve got big plans for tonight.”
He stepped back. “Should I be afraid?”
“Yes, you should be very afraid.”
Carla laughed. “Okay, that’s it. We’re getting out of here. We’ll transfer your luggage to your truck.”
“Carla.”
She stopped.
“Thank you.”
She hugged me so hard I could hardly breathe. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. Don’t you forget it.”
With a few more sniffles, she and Bryan took off out the door.
Nick pulled me close. “I love you, Stella.”
I put my hands on the sides of his face and thought how well I knew every inch of it, and how much better I would know it as the years went by. “And I love you so very, very much.” I smiled. “Let’s go start the rest of our lives.”
We were halfway to the truck when he said, “So. Are you thinking Stella Crown, still? Or would you feel okay about becoming Stella Hathaway?”
“Maybe you should be Nick Crown.”
“I could do that.”
I laughed. “You really are the best, aren’t you?”
“I try. So what do you think?”
“I think I’ll see how this honeymoon goes. I have a feeling more than one person is going to call me Mrs. Hathaway. We’ll see how it feels.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “I’ll see how you feel.”
“You already know.”
“But I don’t know how you feel now that you’re my wife.”
“Hmm. That’s right. I guess that’s what honeymoons are for, huh?”
“Okay, lovebirds,” Carla said, slamming the door of the truck. “I’d say get a hotel room, but you already have one reserved. So you’re all set. Have a great trip. Don’t get sunburned. Eat a lot of amazing food. Have fun, and—”
“Carla.”
“What?”
“We will come back.”
She sniffed again, gave me a final hug, gave one to Nick for good measure, and climbed into Bryan’s truck.
“So, wife,” Nick said when they were gone. “You ready?”
“Yes. I’m ready for it all.”
We climbed into his truck, and left everything familiar behind.
More from this Author
For other books, upcoming author events, or more information please go to:
www.poisonedpenpress.com/JudyClemens
Contact Us
To receive a free catalog of Poisoned Pen Press titles,
please contact us in one of the following ways:
Phone: 1-800-421-3976
Facsimile: 1-480-949-1707
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.poisonedpenpress.com
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave. Ste 103
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Leave Tomorrow Behind (Stella Crown Series) Page 30
