Page 120 of His North Star
My stomach swooped. “Yes, but—“
Ty groaned. “I don’t like that word at the moment.”
“But,” I continued, “let’s hold all talk ofthatuntil after we’re done tonight, all right? It’s hard enough keeping my hands off you already. My friends don’t want or need to see us being all newlywed-y.”
He squeezed my hand. “Fine. But the second we get home—“
“The second we get home, I’m yours.”
“Deal.”
“Deal,” I echoed.
Ty pulled into the parking lot, and we went inside, where Phillip waited for us. “There’s the happy couple,” Phillip said in greeting. He gave me a quick hug and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
“How are you?” I asked.
“Right as rain. Ty.” Phillip offered his hand to Ty for a shake.
“Good to see you, Phillip,” Ty greeted. “I heard the women are dying to see our wedding photos. Any chance there’s a game of rummy or poker going on for the men?”
Phillip chuckled. “Yes, but I’m not sure Mrs. Sheffield will let you play. She’s saving you a seat right next to her.”
He snapped his fingers. “Drat.”
I patted Ty’s chest and smiled up at him flirtatiously. “One hour, Ty. One. Hour.”
He placed a quick kiss on my lips. “I’m setting my timer.”
I laughed, leaving him behind while I went to greet Loretta, Gloria, and Mrs. Sheffield. “Hi, friends,” I said when I approached the table where they all sat.
“Oh, it’s good to see you, Maren,” Gloria said, fluttering her hand in my direction. I gave each of them a side hug before taking a seat.
When Ty pulled out the chair next to me, Mrs. Sheffield tutted. “Maren gets to see you all the time. It’s my turn.”
I bit back a smile.
“You’re right.” Ty moved to the vacant seat to the right of Mrs. Sheffield. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’d be honored to sit by you this evening.”
“That’s what I thought.” Mrs. Sheffield winked at me, and I giggled.
“Let’s see those pictures,” Loretta said, placing her giant black-rimmed glasses on her nose.
I pulled my computer out of my laptop bag, placing it in the center of the table. “There aren’t too many photos since everything happened so quickly, which again, I’m sorry we didn’t invite you to the wedding. We only had immediate family there.”
“It’s okay,” Gloria reassured. “We understand, sweetheart.”
I narrated the slideshow of photos that started with Mom helping me get ready and ended with a photo of Ty’s parents and my parents on either side of us as we stood on the beach of Whitefish Lake. My heart expanded as I looked at Ty—my best friendandhusband.
“You both looked incredible,” Mrs. Sheffield said, patting Ty’s arm. “I’m glad Maren finally came to her senses and listened to us. We kept telling her you were a keeper.”
Ty grinned. “Did you now?”
Loretta nodded enthusiastically. “We did. She’s got a stubborn streak. I hope you’re ready for that.”
Wow, thanks Loretta.
Ty laughed harder. “I’ve known her since we were six. I’m very well acquainted with Maren’s stubborn side.”
