Page 129 of Love By The Falls

“Fate just has other plans, I guess. There must be someone else that’s meant for you.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone meant for me. I think I’ll have to bash someone over the head and drag him to the altar.”

They both laugh, as I intended, but I’m not kidding. I haven’t had a simple life so far, so I don’t expect love to be easy either.And doesn’t that suck?

“In the meantime, does Caleb have any cute friends coming to the wedding?”

Charlotte claps her hands. “Yes! I think there are quite a few coming.”

“Well, then, that’s a wedding present for me.”

Someone knocks on the door, and I answer it. “Is the bride ready? The guests have started to arrive.”

“We’ll need a few more minutes.”

“Okay.”

But before I can close the door, Charlotte’s mother steps around the event planner. “Can I come in?”

“Of course,” I say and open the door wider.

She covers her mouth with her hands. “Oh, Charlotte, honey. You are so beautiful.”

“Oh, no. Don’t you get her started now.”

I put my arm around her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Tanner. Jane’s been like that with everyone.”

“How’s Caleb, Mom?”

“Oh, he’s great. He looks very dashing in his black suit and white shirt.”

“Does he look nervous?”

“No. But I can never tell with him, you know. I’m afraid I was wrong about him. I thought he was aloof because he thought himself too good for us, but he just has it all together. He’s a good man, Charlotte. I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you, Mom,” Charlotte’s voice cracks and my eyes widen, expecting Jane to threaten Charlotte’s mother with a mascara wand or something. I grab atissue and rush it over to Charlotte. “Here, stick this in the corner of your eyes.”

Jane raises her eyebrows at me, and I mouth. “It’s all good.”

“Alright,” says Jane. “Let’s get this wedding started.”

I pull out a blue garter from my purse and smile at Charlotte. “You almost forgot something blue.”

She smiles as she pulls the garter up her bare leg.

“Honey,” says Charlotte’s mom. “Didn’t you wear stockings?”

I nudge her mother. “Wait until you find out she’s not wearing any panties.”

Her eyes widen in horror and Charlotte laughs. “She’s kidding, Mom. Of course, I’m wearing panties.”

I waggle my eyebrows because I think she might be lying, but she waves me off. I’ve seen the way Caleb looks at Charlotte any chance he gets. I would be envious if I wasn’t so darn happy for them.

“Okay, I’ll head down and make sure everyone takes their seats.” I rush over and kiss Charlotte on her cheek. “I’ll see you downstairs. Oh, Char. This is the last time you’ll ever be Miss Tanner.”

Charlotte inhales sharply and covers her mouth. Jane points at the door and shouts, “Out!”

I scamper away because despite her sweet exterior I wouldn’t want to mess with Jane.

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