The Goodbye Bride (35 page)
Realizing that he was wiping down a clean bar, he tossed the rag behind the counter. It was just nearing suppertime but the restaurant was slow, only a handful of booths filled. He was surprised since Boston College was playing UMass tonight.
He intercepted Lucy as she headed toward the kitchen and pulled her behind the partition, dragging her into his arms. “I can't wait two more months, Georgia.”
“We've been all through this. Things'll be slower around here in December, and we can get away for a whole week. You said so yourself.”
He let out a low growl. “I changed my mind.”
“Your impatience is most charming,” she said in that drawl
of hers. She turned that smile up at him, drawing his eyes to her sweet lips.
He liked to keep things professional when they were working, but those lips . . .
He tried not to. He really did.
His lips brushed hers in a slow, soft kiss that made him wish they were someplace else. Like on his sofa or in his office. Mindfulâjust barelyâof his surroundings, he drew away.
She set a hand on his chest, giving him a look that gave him second thoughts about pulling away.
Before he could act on the impulse, she pulled her phone from her pocket. Her engagement ringâthe one he'd saved from beforeâflashed on her finger. Nothing had ever looked so right.
She pinched her lower lip as she frowned at the screen. “Uh-oh. Sounds like Eden needs me.” She turned those baby blues up at him. “Think you can do without me for a while? It's pretty slow so far.”
He knew it was crazy to be disappointed, but he loved having her here. “What's going on?”
“Maid of honor stuff, apparently.”
He made a face. “Her wedding's not till next summer.”
She lifted her shoulders, giving him a look. “We've practically been attached at the hip for two months.”
“I like you here.” At her long look he gave a heavy sigh. “Fine. Go on.”
Her lips turned up as she patted his cheek. “Stop pouting. I won't be long.”
And then she was gone, leaving him to his work. The next hour dragged. It didn't help that he checked his watch every fifteen minutes. He refilled the paper towels in the men's bathroom
and was checking the soap dispenser when one of his staff came for him.
“Phone call, Zac.”
He made his way to the bar and picked up the extension. “Zac here.”
“Hey, Zac, it's Pastor Daniels. How are you?”
“Pastor . . . I'm just fine.” After asking about his pastor's day, he worked around to the purpose of the call. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, we have a group meeting here at the church tonight, and I was wondering if we could get some wings.”
“Of course.” He took the order, then asked, “Delivery or pickup?”
“Well, that's why I asked for you . . . I was hoping you might deliver them yourself. See, we have a baptism scheduled tomorrow, and it seems there's a leak in the baptistery.”
“Sure, I'll check it out.” Not like he had anything better going on.
After hanging up, Zac busied himself with next week's schedule, and when the wings were ready, he grabbed the two sacks and headed toward the church. He parked his truck and stepped out into the night.
The October evening was cool and perfect, the sky just turning a radiant shade of pink. Maybe when Lucy got back, he'd start a fire in his fireplace. They could cuddle up and watch a movie or just talk awhile.
His steps quickened at the thought. She'd been pretty busy lately between work and her community center project. She'd bought the firehouse and was already making plans for its renovations. They'd spent many hours dreaming together about the purpose it would serve. He loved the way she lit up when she talked about it.
He dashed across the half-full lot and up the steps, pulling at
the heavy, oversized door. He crossed the threshold and drew to an abrupt halt at the sight before him.
“Lucy.”
She stood in front of the closed sanctuary doors, facing him.
His gaze fell over the simple white dress that hugged her compact curves, over the small bouquet of tiny blue flowers. His eyes cut back to hers.
Apprehension flared in her eyes. “Hey there . . . I hope this is all right.”
Was she kidding? The upcoming two months had been stretching ahead like an endless highway. A smile spread across his face as his heart pounded with joy.
“All right?” His eyes searched hers, noticing the silver sparks flashing in the blue depths. “Honey, you just made this the best night of my life.”
Her lips curled up as her eyes turned glassy. She blinked back the tears. “Oh, thank God. I was so worried. I know you wanted to move it up, but it seemed like it took you forever to get here, and then I started second-guessing myself.”
“I would've been here sooner if I'd known you were waiting for me.” He took her in, his woman, his true love, his bride. His heart felt so full. “You're so beautiful, Lucy. Inside and out. I'm the luckiest man on the planet.”
She flapped a hand in front of her face, then dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “Stop that. You're going to ruin my makeup, and Eden worked awful hard on it.”
He remembered the text from Eden that had set all this off. “Maid of honor stuff, huh?”
There was a glint of amusement in her eyes. “Well . . . it's true now.”
She gestured toward the high square windows in the sanctuary doors, and he peeked inside. Pastor Daniels stood at the front with Beau on one side, Eden on the other. Mrs. Pritchard waited at the piano, her back ramrod straight. His eyes drifted over the people seated in the sanctuary. Aunt Trudy, Sheriff Colton, and so many other friends and neighbors. All of them waiting for the moment he'd been dreaming of for so long.
“I can't believe you did all this.”
“There's a suit for you in the men's room. And we're Skyping Riley in so he doesn't miss anything.”
He looked at her in wonder. She was amazing. And she was all his. “How in the world did you pull this off? We've hardly been apart the last two months.”
She grinned. “Lots of texting. And good friends. Really good friends.”
He reached up, cupping her soft cheek in the palm of his hand. “Thank you for doing this. I can't wait to hold you all night longâto make you mine.”
His gaze fell to her lips. He should wait till after the wedding. But he'd never been good at waiting where Lucy was concerned. He bent low and gave her a long, slow kiss. She didn't seem to mind his jumping the gun. Her lips were soft and pliant and tasted sweet as honey. His heart sighed when she roped her arms around his neck, and he fervently wished the bags in his hands would disappear.
The sanctuary door burst open, and Zac reluctantly drew away.
A flush crept up the pastor's face. “Whoops. I guess it's a go then?”
Zac gave him a pointed look. “I'm not sure if we have time, what with the baptistery leak and all.”
Lucy elbowed Zac.
Pastor Daniels had the grace to look sheepish. “Well, there is a slow drain.” He cleared his throat. “I think I'll just give you two a moment,” he said as he disappeared behind the door.
Zac leaned into Lucy, eager to pick up where they'd left off.
But she set a firm hand on his chest. “Oh no, mister. We have a plane to catch tonight, and right now you have a date with a suit. You can have all the kisses you want . . .
later
.”
It was only the “later” part that gave him the motivation to step away from her. He held up the bags. “What am I supposed to do with these?”
“Put them in the reception hall. I'm already famished, and we have guests to feed.”
When he started backing down the hall, she lifted a playful brow. “Don't you even want to know where we're going?”
“As long as I'm alone with you for days on end, it'll be just fine.”
“St. Lucia should fill the bill thenâjust you and me and miles of white sand.”
Paradise. “Sounds like heaven.”
She gave him a slow, sweet grin as he backed away, her dimples coming out to tease him. “I'll see you at the end of the aisle, Zac Callahan.”
“I'll be there.”
Then he hustled down the hall. Suddenly he couldn't wait to see her walking toward him. Couldn't wait to slip that band on her finger. Couldn't wait to make her his forever bride.
1. Who was your favorite character and why?
2. What was your favorite scene in
The Goodbye Bride
? What did you like about it?
3. Zac was hesitant to trust Lucy again after she left him. Discuss the role of trust in a relationship. Has someone ever broken your trust? Did he or she manage to earn it back? Can trust be restored to its previous level once it has been broken?
4. Lucy and Zac experienced many hardships on their journey toward love. Have you ever gone through difficult circumstances only to later see God's hand in them? Discuss.
5. If you could have permanent amnesia about a specific event or period of time in your life, would you sign up? Why or why not?
6. In Lucy's need to avoid being abandoned, she became like her father, leaving people before they could leave her. Have you ever experienced a similar phenomenon?
7. Fear prevented Lucy from having meaningful
relationships. What are some other ways fear can spoil relationships?
8. The starflowers at her mom's graveside were like a sign from heaven in Lucy's time of need. Have you ever experienced something similar?
9. The Bible says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). What does this mean to you?
10. Riley is in love with his best friend but is far away serving in the military. What do you think might happen upon his return?
W
riting a book is a team effort, and I'm so grateful for the fabulous team at HarperCollins Christian Fiction led by publisher Daisy Hutton: Katie Bond, Amanda Bostic, Karli Jackson, Elizabeth Hudson, Jodi Hughes, Becky Monds, Becky Philpott, Kristen Golden, and Kristen Ingebretson.
Thanks especially to my editor, Becky Philpott, for her insight and inspiration. Thanks also to editor LB Norton, who has saved me from countless errors and always makes me look so much better than I am.
Author Colleen Coble is my first reader. Thank you, friend! Writing wouldn't be nearly as much fun without you!
I'm grateful to my agent, Karen Solem, who's able to somehow make sense of the legal garble of contracts and, even more amazing, help me understand it.
Thank you to Mainer Susan Faloon, who kindly agreed to read this manuscript to make sure I'd gotten the setting details right. Any errors that made it into print are mine alone.
Kevin, my husband of twenty-six years, has been a wonderful support. Thank you, honey! To my sons, Justin, Chad, and Trevor:
You make life an adventure! It's so fun watching you step boldly into adulthood. Love you all!
Lastly, thank you, friend, for letting me share this story with you. I wouldn't be doing this without you! I enjoy connecting with friends on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/authordenisehunter. Please pop over and say hello. Visit my website at the link www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or just drop me a note at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you!
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