Page 105 of The Wedding Toast
"Oh!"
He laughed again when she squeezed them shut and started to make his way down the stairs.
"I think you got it backwards," called Xander."You're supposed to carry her inside when you get there – not outside when you leave!"
She loved the feel of his laughter as it rumbled through his chest and into hers.
"It's the safest, fastest way to get us down the steps," he called back.
When he reached the bottom, he set her on her feet, facing him.
"You can open your eyes now."
When she did, the house – and all their guests – were behind her.All she could see was Jacob and the empty driveway behind him.
She gave him a puzzled smile."What's going on?"
"I want you to give me a second – don't look yet.I want to see your face when you turn around.But don't turn till I say."
"Okay."
He kissed her cheek as he passed her.
She smiled to herself, listening to the hushed silence – it was hard to believe that all their guests were there, being so quiet.
"Is everybody ready?"Jacob asked.
"Wait!"someone called – it was Willow."We should count it down."
Jacob laughed."Good idea.Down from five – don't turn around till I say go, Becca, okay?"
"Okay.But start the countdown already or I might burst!"
"Five," he called.
Then everyone else joined in."Four—three—two—one," they all shouted.
Then in the quiet that fell, Jacob said, "Go!"
Becca spun around laughing, but then froze.Her hand flew up to cover her mouth.She couldn't believe it!
"Fred?"she asked incredulously.
Jacob nodded happily."The one and only."
"But you...he's...blue!"
Jacob laughed."Cornflower blue."
"Oh, my goodness, Jacob!"She stepped forward and touched the hood of the first car she'd ever owned.The only car she'd ever owned until Jacob gave her Grover the Range Rover.She ran her fingers over the shiny blue paintwork.She couldn't believe it.
He looked brand new.Not only did he have a shiny new paint job, but he also had new wheels and tires.All his chrome bits were shiny.And as she walked around him, she saw all the cans tied to the rear fender and the "Just Married" sign in the back window.She covered her eyes with her hands, trying to hide her tears as she peeked out at Jacob between her fingers."Does he run?"
Jacob came to her and wrapped his arms around her."He does.I know he was a good friend to you for a long time before I met you.I never forgot how you told me that for a while it felt like he was your only friend."He tucked his fingers under her chin as he looked down into her eyes."You said that he kept you warm, and kept you safe, and took you wherever you needed to go."
She swallowed around the lump in her throat."And you volunteered to take over those duties."
"I did, and here I am.But I know you still miss your old friend, so..."He smiled."So, we got him back on the road.Gave him a new motor, and for some reason I thought you might just like this particular shade of blue."
