Cabin Fever (29 page)

“I got your note,” she says. “Thanks for inviting me.” She’s very stiff and obviously uncomfortable. Her black business skirt and white blouse under a black jacket is an outfit more suited to a funeral than a wedding, but I’m not going to read into it more than I should. She looks stunning and she’s here; that’s all that matters.

 
“Of course,” I assure her. “We wouldn’t want to get married without you here.”

The door opens again and James comes in, carrying Cassie.

“Moo!” Cassie yells, reaching for her aunt.

Jana turns around, but not before I see the stricken expression on her face.

“Baby girl!” she says after just a moment’s hesitation, moving towards her with her arms out.

“Oh, that sucks,” Leah whispers near my ear.

“It’s okay,” I say very softly. “We’re getting through it.”

Jana takes the baby and hugs her close. She’s smiling like crazy when her face shows itself again. “How’s my adorable niece doing? Did you miss me.”

Cassie slaps her face with both hands, one on each cheek. “Moo!”

Jana looks over at me, smiling. “I guess I’m Auntie Moo now?”

I shrug. “Cassie’s the boss, not me.”

Jana joins us, playing with Cassie, her face aglow. “Stubborn little cuss, I see. Nothing’s changed.”

I touch Jana’s arm briefly. “She misses you. You should come by and spend some time with her.” I pause, worried I’ve overstepped my bounds. “If you want.”

Jana doesn’t look at me, but she does respond. “I will. I promise. Whenever it’s good for you guys.”

“I’m home every day just painting. Whenever she’s napping, anyway. Otherwise, I’m catering to her every whim.”

Jana laughs. “Oh, I remember those days. Not easy are they?” She finally looks at me. I could swear I see an apology in there somewhere.

“No, not at all. You really are some kind of superwoman, doing everything you did. I have Jeremy doing way more than half the work, and I’m still exhausted every day.”

“Yeah, well… you do what you have to do, right?”

I rest my hand on her arm to get her attention. She finally looks right at me. “We’d really love it if you’d come by. Or you could take Cassie for a walk or for part of the day. Even overnight. Whatever you want. It’s completely up to you, but we want you to be as much a part of her life as you want.”

Her lips tremble. “Does Jeremy feel the same way?”

“Ask him.” I lean in and kiss her on the cheek. “He loves you, Jana. That’s all he’s got in his heart now. Love.”

Leah comes in and grabs us both in a hug, her belly bulging out between us. “Come on, y’all. Group hug. You’re making me cry.”

We laugh and embrace her, only breaking away when the door opens again and a court employee walks in.

“We ready to get this show on the road?” The woman walks up behind the court bench, takes a black robe off a rack, and puts it on.

“Oh. I guess this is the judge,” I say.

James opens the door and sticks his head out. “Jeremy! Time to come in.”

My groom insisted that I wait inside and he wait outside. He didn’t want me or Leah hanging around with — as he put it — the criminals of our county out in the hallway, so it will be me at the end of the aisle waiting for my man instead of the other way around.

I watch as he comes towards me in his suit and tie, his brother following. He’s fully shaved for the first time since I met him, and I realize I was right before; he really is too handsome to be clean-shaven. He could give a woman a heart attack if he’s not careful.

“Thank you everyone for coming,” the judge says, smiling at us with a clipboard in her hand.

Jeremy gives me a quick kiss before he turns to face the judge, standing next to me.

“If the bride and groom would just stand here in front of me…”

We move over to the left to accommodate her.

“Jeremy Oliver and Sarah Booker, is that right?” She looks at Jeremy and then me. We both nod in response.

“Great. My name is Judge Laura Pringle, and I’ll be officiating your marriage today. Before we get started, do you have any questions?”

Jeremy looks like he’s in shock. I look from him to the judge, panic filling my heart.

“Is there something wrong?” Judge Laura asks.

I take hold of Jeremy’s hands and turn him to look at me. “Are you okay?”

He nods, his expression changing instantly to one of relief. “Yes. Sorry about that. Her name just … threw me off, there.”

“I’m sorry…” the judge interrupts, “my
name
, did you say?”

I give her an apologetic smile. “His first wife’s name was Laura. She was killed. Not quite a year ago, in a car accident.”

The judge closes her eyes for a moment and nods. “I see. I’m sorry for your loss. Shall we take a moment?”

“Thank you for your sympathies, but no.” Jeremy says, turning to face her. “Please don’t wait.” He gestures with his head at me. “I barely got her in here to start with.”

Everyone laughs, including the judge.

“Fine, then. Let’s get started.” The judge looks out at our family and smiles.

Jeremy leans in and kisses me, whispering quickly. “I knew Laura would come. I knew she’d approve.”

I can’t stop smiling. A bubble of happiness feels like it’s about to explode right out of me. How fitting that a woman named Laura would be the one to tie our knot for us. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I could swear I feel her standing there as my matron of honor. I give her a gentle nod, just in case she can see me.

“Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Jeremy Oliver and Sarah Booker…”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elle Casey
is a prolific,
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling American writer who lives in Southern France with her husband, three kids, and several furry friends. She writes in several genres and publishes an average of one full-length novel per month.

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