Page 45 of Every Rose

Matt, of course, had witnessed the entire thing. He was laughing as he came over and sat with her. “Theresa should seriously think about competing in the Highland Games. She’d be a serious contender at tossing the caber.”

She chuckled, and said, “Is there florist’s wire in my hair?”

He reached up and picked off a yellow petal. “Now you’re flawless again.”

“Good.”

He gestured to the white bud in her hand. “What does it mean, exactly, if you catch a rosebud?”

They both contemplated the unfurled blossom. “I guess it means I’ll marry someone very small.”

“With very tiny . . . thorns.”

Theresa came by soon after. “Listen guys, heads up,” she yelled to the bridal party still at the table. “We’re not going to run off like the etiquette books say we’re supposed to. We both love to party and these are all our favorite people. Harv and I plan to close this party down. So that means you guys can leave whenever. You don’t have to be polite and wait for us to leave.”

“Good to know. Thanks.”

Matt turned to her. “Would you like to dance?”

She felt mild surprise. “You dance?”

“Mostly I stand there and jiggle.”

She smiled and nodded. And, naturally, Matt turned out to be an excellent dancer. As they stepped onto the wooden floor the music changed to a slow dance and he pulled her to him. She felt herself move in harmony with the man, enjoying his warm, athletic body. When the dance ended he said, “Let’s get out of here.”

“But, my date. James is planning to drive me home.”

“I think James might have other plans.”

As she followed his gaze she saw her brother with the waiflike bridesmaid, who was starting to get some color back. When he saw her looking his way he gestured subtly for her to come over.

She did and he said, “I think Kimberly’s tired. I’m driving her home.”

She looked Kimberly over rapidly. She no longer looked quite so sick and the trembling had stopped. “Okay.”

“Can you get a ride?” He didn’t by so much as the flicker of an eyelid indicate Matt standing beside her.

“Sure. I can find my own way home.”

She smiled at the waif. “It was really nice being in the wedding party with you.”

“You too.”

After they left, Matt turned to her. “So? Can I drive you home?”

She glanced around and found that about half the guests were gone. Theresa and Harvey were twirling on the dance floor. No one would even notice if they slipped away. “Sure.”

“Great.”

She gathered up her purse and headed for the cloakroom. Matt followed. When he helped her put on her coat she noticed he was holding the rosebud that had all but fallen on her from Theresa’s bouquet. “Why did you bring the flower?”

“I thought you would want to press it, keep it in a scrapbook and dream of the man you would one day marry.”

“You’ve been watching too many movies on the Lifetime Channel.”

“Sad to see it die.”

She shook her head and they headed out into the cold night across the parking lot toward his small 4×4 truck. He opened her door and held it for her.

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