Unpredictable Love Page 16
Flowers were everywhere, an arch covered in white roses led to the deep yard, dotted with round tables, clothed in pink, seating eight people. On the left was a long table, groaning with cold hors d’oeuvres and chafing dishes keeping food hot. In the very back, a three-piece band was tuning up on a makeshift stage that was just a large, wooden pallet.
Trent tugged on her hand. She turned to face him.
“You’re not sorry, are you?” A note of concern rang through his tone.
“Sorry I married you? Never. Never been happier.” She got up on tiptoe to kiss his handsome face.
“You look beautiful. You looked amazing, coming down the aisle.”
Laura Dailey and Nan Edwards rushed through the back door together, getting stuck. Nan pushed through first. She took charge of the people and set up a receiving line while Laura managed the food.
“This is going to be an incredible party,” Jory whispered to her new husband.
He grinned, resting his arm around her shoulders. A sensation of lightness seeped through the bride. Loneliness faded from her life. She closed out that chapter and faced a new one with joy in her heart. She said a silent prayer then stepped forward to greet her guests.
People made way for the pastor and his wife. He took the bride’s hand and held it for a moment. “I only have one question, Jory. How did you two meet?”
Epilogue
Eight months later
Jory and Trent had slept at Nan’s house the night before. The town was having a pre-Mother’s Day garage sale, and Jory was helping Nan set up. Her aunt was determined to get rid of the thirty years of junk accumulated in the attic and basement.
Amber had washed her hands of the project and remained in Orlando. Trent set up the tables and moved the heavy stuff. Jory and Nan placed items in appealing displays, including a tray of free brownies, set up two chairs, and waited.
Trent nabbed a sweet from the plate. “I think the staff should get one of these.”
“Help yourself,” Nan said.
It wasn’t long before folks wandered by. There was a lot of buzzing as news and gossip were exchanged. Two women stopped at the table, looking over the items on display.
“Jory, did you hear about that Jackie Tremont?”
The journalist shook her head.
“She’s been gone a year and a half now. Living in sin with that rich man. Old enough to be her father,” said Cindy Kallek.
“Her parents are scandalized,” said Judy Turner.
“I hear they don’t even speak to her anymore.”
“Haven’t for about a year. More or less,” Judy piped up.
“That’s terrible. Nothing should come between a parent and child,” Jory remarked.
“When a child goes over the line…” Cindy started.
“Right! Some children are just born bad seeds,” Judy interrupted.
“Not Jackie! She was dating Trevor Fulton for a long time. I was sure they’d get married.”
“Bad seed. Yeah. She had it good with Trevor. He’d do anything for her. But he wasn’t good enough. Nope. She had to have a multi-millionaire,” Cindy said, sifting through a basket of odds and ends.
“What kind of books do you have?” Judy asked. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that guy didn’t dump her for someone else. She wasn’t a great prize. Don’t know what he saw in her in the first place. Oh, Jory, I’ll take this one.”
The women paid for their items and moved on.
Jory let out a breath. “I’m glad those two old gossips are gone. Geez. They’re so mean. If Jackie fell for that guy and wanted to be with him, what business is it of theirs?”
“I agree. He was quite attractive too,” Nan added.
“Nan! Really? Does Dan know you think that?” Jory chuckled.
“I don’t tell him everything,” the older woman said, rearranging the items on her side. “Jackie’s parents are very worried. They haven’t heard from her in almost a year.”
“Did they have a fight?”
Nan nodded. “Betty said Jackie refused to take their calls. They’d had fights with her before. But they never stopped speaking.”
Jory’s brows knit. “I sure hope nothing’s happened to her.”
“Me too.” Nan squeezed her niece’s hand.
** THE END**
Watch for “Too Late for Goodbye” and “Echoes of the Heart”, coming soon
About the Author
Jean Joachim is a best-selling romance fiction author, with books hitting the Amazon Top 100 list since 2012. She writes contemporary romance, which includes sports romance and romantic suspense.
Dangerous Love Lost & Found, First Place winner in the 2015 Oklahoma Romance Writers of America, International Digital Award contest. The Renovated Heart won Best Novel of the Year from Love Romances Café. Lovers & Liars was a RomCon finalist in 2013. And The Marriage List tied for third place as Best Contemporary Romance from the Gulf Coast RWA. To Love or Not to Love tied for second place in the 2014 New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America Reader’s Choice contest. She was chosen Author of the Year in 2012 by the New York City chapter of RWA.
Married and the mother of two sons, Jean lives in New York City. Early in the morning, you’ll find her at her computer, writing, with a cup of tea, her rescued pug, Homer, by her side and a secret stash of black licorice. Jean has 30+ books, novellas and short stories published. Find it here: http://www.jeanjoachimbooks.com. Sign up for her newsletter, on her website, and be eligible for her private paperback sales. Sign up for her newsletter here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jean-Joachim Author/221092234568929?sk=app_100265896690345