Page 28 of Sweet Beginnings

He didn’t know why, but without thinking, he reached over across the console and took hold of Sarah’s hand. When she squeezed back, he laced his fingers with hers and wondered if he would feel any differently if this was all for real.

Nearly halfway to the courthouse, still holding hands, Sarah sighed. “Ever wonder why it always feels like it takes longer going somewhere than returning home?”

A small chuckle tickled his throat. He supposed equating the anticipation with walking the plank would not be appropriate. “The unknown. Coming home is always familiar.”

“Familiar,” she echoed. “Makes sense.”

It also explained why holding hands felt so natural. After almost two weeks of performing for the town, everything about Sarah Sue felt familiar and natural. Maybe he was being nervous about nothing.

The car in park, Preston glanced over at Sarah Sue, their fingers still intertwined. “Last chance to change your mind,” he teased.

Her smile seemed shakier than usual and the extra few moments it took for her to react had him thinking this may be as far is it all went. Squeezing his fingers, she pulled her hand away, stiffened her smile, and sucked in a deep breath. “Let’s go save a ranch.”

A car zoomed into the space beside them. Rachel popped out of the car and waved an arm. “This place is adorable. I think that gazebo will be perfect for the ceremony.”

Sarah turned and nodded, Carson raised a brow at his brother. Preston agreed, Rachel was a little too happy for a fake ceremony.

“Oh.” Rachel stretched out her other arm. “One for you, one for me.”

Sarah’s gaze dropped to the two small bouquets of fresh flowers in his sister’s hands. A hand steadier than his own reached for a bouquet and then she took a slow sniff. A more genuine smile took over her face. “Thank you. This was sweet.”

“I’ve never been a maid of honor before but I did my best.” Handing her bouquet to her brother, Rachel rummaged through her purse. “Here’s my grandmother’s engraved handkerchief. If you put it in your pocket, that will be the something old. I’m considering the flowers new. This is the borrowed.” Reaching behind her neck, she unclasped a simple gold chain with an open heart charm dangling and hung it on Sarah’s neck, then stripped a gaudy silver and blue bracelet from her wrist. “Here’s Mom’s souvenir bracelet from Coney Island. Dad took her to New York on their honeymoon. The thing is cheap as all get out but Mom loves it. I figure it’ll work for good luck and something blue.”

Sarah Sue flung her arms around his sister. “Thank you. This is seriously sweet of you.”

Tipping her head and grinning, Rachel shrugged. “Wouldn’t want to fail my first time out.”

“All right.” Carson cleared his throat. “Let’s get the paperwork rolling. The officiate texted that he’ll meet us at the gazebo in fifteen minutes.”

Fifteen minutes and the three hundred and sixty-five day countdown would begin. Only fifteen minutes and life as they all knew it was about to be turned on its head.

For the life of her, Sarah couldn’t decide if Rachel adding all the touches of an actual wedding made things better or worse. It only took a few minutes to fill out the paperwork and for the clerk to give them an old-fashioned typed marriage license. Reminding herself every few moments to smile, she also had to loosen her grip on the flowers every time her fingers began to cramp from the tight hold.

Without thinking, her hand fingered the heart hanging from her neck. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. Rachel was so very thoughtful. Her gaze lifted to meet Preston’s; he’d been watching her.

His eyes softened and his lips curled in a smile. “Last chance to change your mind.”

A car door slammed, and a bushy-haired man with a mustache to match waved at them.

Her gaze shifted back to Preston and she took in a calming deep breath. “I was just going to ask you the same thing.”

“No need to ask which is the happy couple.” The man came to a stop in front of them. “Always a good sign when eyes sparkle with love.”

Carson coughed so hard, Rachel had to slap him on his back before staring daggers at him.

“Papers in order?”

With a nod, Preston handed the new license over for the man to peruse.

“Very well. The rings?”

Preston began patting his pockets. “I don’t need one, but…” a frown deepened between his brows.

“You gave it to me.” Rolling his eyes, Carson reached into his pocket and produced a simple gold band.

“Yes. Right.” Preston sighed and the officiate just smiled.

Sarah reached into her purse and pulled out a small velvet pouch. An equally simple, but much larger band dropped onto her palm and without a word, she handed it over to Rachel.

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