friends got together to give us one right here at church.”
Rhonda came rushing up to hug her. “I worked all week on this, but we had to keep it quiet. That’s one reason Marshall took you to New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. We had a quick meeting while you were away.”
“That and . . . I really did want to be alone with you,” he carefully amended. He indicated the table full of finger foods and donuts. “We eat and greet and . . . I guess we get more loot.”
Stella’s gaze moved over the tables and then back to him. “You helped plan this?”
“I asked my mom about it and she called Rhonda—just to make sure about the protocol, of course. They decided to have it here and invite all our friends who still live in the area.”
He didn’t add that his mother had been concerned about him being with so many people, but this would be quick and contained, so he could duck out at any time if things got to be too much.
Stella stood still, taking it all in. “That’s why they were acting so weird the other day. I can’t believe you did all of this . . . for us.”
He took her by the hand. “Well, I wanted you to show me off to all our friends. You remember them, I hope.”
She laughed at that. “I sure do. And I hope you will too.”
Marshall breathed a sigh of relief and tugged her forward. “Well then, let’s get this shindig going. We don’t want to be late for the church service.”
Stella gave him a grateful smile before she started hugging and greeting people. Seeing her so happy helped Marshall to calm down and focus on what he knew to be true.
Stella would make the perfect bride.
Which meant he had to be the perfect groom.
Fifteen minutes later, he was caught in a corner with several people he couldn’t remember. Somebody mentioned he sure did have a beautiful bride. Marshall nodded, ready to agree. But already his heart started pumping too fast and his breathing became shallow.
“Excuse me,” he said as he pushed past an older couple. He had to get outside. He had to find some air.
He saw the image again, the one in his dreams.
Stella was walking in the smoke, her white dress growing gray with dirt and soot. He could hear engines roaring, could hear the explosion of gunfire and the sound of people screaming.
“Go back,” he tried to call. “Go away. Stella, go away.”
He turned and saw her standing right behind him, shock turning her pale.
Then she spun on her heels and hurried back inside.
M arshall stared up at the attic door, his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
“Looking for a particular spot on the ceiling, son?” His dad stood a few steps away, down on the staircase.
Marshall turned and sat down on the landing. “I need to read those letters, Dad.”
“Sure you’re ready for that?” Gerald asked, his expression laced with worry. “You sure got upset back at the hospital when you tried that.”
“I wasn’t ready then. I was too messed up. I’m better now.”
“We’re all glad for that,” Gerald replied. “You made Stella happy by getting everyone together for that surprise shower yesterday.” His dad looked down at the stair tread. “But you left kind of early. Didn’t even stay for church.”
He couldn’t tell his dad that they’d had a little spat afterStella had overheard him telling her to go back. He’d tried to explain, but her hurt expression told him to give her some time.
Now he searched for the right words. “I got a little overwhelmed and had to leave. But I’m glad about the shower. I missed all the other wedding festivities, so I wanted to do something for her that would include both of us. Mom said a couples’ shower would work. And it did until . . . until I started feeling kind of funny. Too many people asking too many questions.”
“Your mom is a very wise woman, but maybe we shouldn’t have pushed this on you. None of this.”
Marshall couldn’t argue with the notion of too much, too soon. “I’m blessed to have
Rhonda came rushing up to hug her. “I worked all week on this, but we had to keep it quiet. That’s one reason Marshall took you to New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. We had a quick meeting while you were away.”
“That and . . . I really did want to be alone with you,” he carefully amended. He indicated the table full of finger foods and donuts. “We eat and greet and . . . I guess we get more loot.”
Stella’s gaze moved over the tables and then back to him. “You helped plan this?”
“I asked my mom about it and she called Rhonda—just to make sure about the protocol, of course. They decided to have it here and invite all our friends who still live in the area.”
He didn’t add that his mother had been concerned about him being with so many people, but this would be quick and contained, so he could duck out at any time if things got to be too much.
Stella stood still, taking it all in. “That’s why they were acting so weird the other day. I can’t believe you did all of this . . . for us.”
He took her by the hand. “Well, I wanted you to show me off to all our friends. You remember them, I hope.”
She laughed at that. “I sure do. And I hope you will too.”
Marshall breathed a sigh of relief and tugged her forward. “Well then, let’s get this shindig going. We don’t want to be late for the church service.”
Stella gave him a grateful smile before she started hugging and greeting people. Seeing her so happy helped Marshall to calm down and focus on what he knew to be true.
Stella would make the perfect bride.
Which meant he had to be the perfect groom.
Fifteen minutes later, he was caught in a corner with several people he couldn’t remember. Somebody mentioned he sure did have a beautiful bride. Marshall nodded, ready to agree. But already his heart started pumping too fast and his breathing became shallow.
“Excuse me,” he said as he pushed past an older couple. He had to get outside. He had to find some air.
He saw the image again, the one in his dreams.
Stella was walking in the smoke, her white dress growing gray with dirt and soot. He could hear engines roaring, could hear the explosion of gunfire and the sound of people screaming.
“Go back,” he tried to call. “Go away. Stella, go away.”
He turned and saw her standing right behind him, shock turning her pale.
Then she spun on her heels and hurried back inside.
M arshall stared up at the attic door, his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
“Looking for a particular spot on the ceiling, son?” His dad stood a few steps away, down on the staircase.
Marshall turned and sat down on the landing. “I need to read those letters, Dad.”
“Sure you’re ready for that?” Gerald asked, his expression laced with worry. “You sure got upset back at the hospital when you tried that.”
“I wasn’t ready then. I was too messed up. I’m better now.”
“We’re all glad for that,” Gerald replied. “You made Stella happy by getting everyone together for that surprise shower yesterday.” His dad looked down at the stair tread. “But you left kind of early. Didn’t even stay for church.”
He couldn’t tell his dad that they’d had a little spat afterStella had overheard him telling her to go back. He’d tried to explain, but her hurt expression told him to give her some time.
Now he searched for the right words. “I got a little overwhelmed and had to leave. But I’m glad about the shower. I missed all the other wedding festivities, so I wanted to do something for her that would include both of us. Mom said a couples’ shower would work. And it did until . . . until I started feeling kind of funny. Too many people asking too many questions.”
“Your mom is a very wise woman, but maybe we shouldn’t have pushed this on you. None of this.”
Marshall couldn’t argue with the notion of too much, too soon. “I’m blessed to have
Similar Books
