Page 54 of Convincing Him
“There is a break in the line somewhere so it’s not working,” smiled Tom. “It will be replaced next weekend.”
Britney quickly took his hand in hers. “I’m Britney and this is my friend Tara.”
“Nice to meet you,” nodded Tom. He looked over the yard in satisfaction. “You know, this is the first yard I have ever landscaped. I kind of enjoyed it. Might have to change my profession from accounting to gardener.”
“Pardon me?” questioned Britney. “I thought a landscaping company was hired.”
“Oh, they were but they bailed,” Tom informed her. “Everyone else was booked up so your fiancé started to do it himself. I came over to introduce myself and decided to volunteer to help. Three days later and a little advice from the contractor who was overseeing the inside work, we managed to finish the yard. Gabe was determined to get it done for you on time.”
“Gabe did manual labor?” disbelief tinged Tara’s voice.
“Sure did. Good thing he can figure out instructions,” laughed Tom. “I would have put the playset together all backward. As it was, we both have a few blisters for our efforts.”
“He really helped to create all this?” Britney looked over the yard with fresh eyes. Tara was right. The color scheme was wrong, with plants planted in groups which didn’t match. There was a crooked dwarf ornamental tree.
“Helped? He made it happen. I was the helper,” Tom gestured to the tree house. “The only thing Gabe couldn’t do was the treehouse. We hired a construction guy to help us figure that one out. Didn’t want the thing to come crashing down once your kids start using it.”
Britney’s lower lip trembled as tears came to her eyes. She sniffed.
Tara sighed over the inevitable. “You’re going to go back to him.”
“Would you think less of me if I did?” Britney gave Tara a pleading look, wanting her to understand.
“No,” Tara gave a small smile before giving her friend a hug. “I know you have a big heart. I just hope this time Gabe means it.”
“He does,” Britney smiled and wiped away a tear. “He did all this for me. Gabe may not be able to say the words, but this time he’s used actions to prove he is capable of putting me first. We could have an equal relationship if he keeps trying and I want to give him the chance.”
“Okay,” Tara nodded then looked concerned as she checked her watch. “The wedding is this afternoon. We will never make it on time.”
“Who cares if you are on time?” Tom asked rhetorically. “I waited three hours for my Nancy to make it down the aisle and it was worth it. Just get there!”
“I’ll need my dress!” Britney grabbed Tara’s arm as they hustled through the gate toward the driveway. “You need your dress. What about the flowers for our bouquets? You need to call Rex. He has to be there. And my mother! What am I supposed to do about her?”
“Don’t invite her,” advised Tara. “She would never make it on time.”
“Good point,” conceded Britney.
Tom opened the door of the car for her. “Drive carefully. You don’t need to be in an accident on your wedding day.”
“Wait!” Britney pulled out her phone. “What is your phone number? I’m inviting you and Nancy to the wedding.”
“You don’t have to do that,” a humble Tom told her.
“Yes, I do. I think you are the first friend Gabe has made outside of family since college so you are invited,” Britney got his phone number. “I’ll text you the location.”
“Go get married,” Tom carefully shut her door and Tara backed out of the driveway as he waived to them.
“Who were they?” a woman called from the neighboring porch.
“Britney and her friend, Tonya or something,” Tom shouted back. “Could you get out my suit and a dress for yourself? Call the sitter. We’re going to need one after I’m done watering the yard here.”
“What for?” Nancy questioned.
“We’re going to a wedding,” grinned Tom.
