Page 7 of Harvey

“I gathered that.”

“Because I am not ordained as a minister- “

“I don’t care. Ask someone from the congregation.”

“I am asking you because you are my brother.”

Harvey hated when he did that, and the entire family seemed to have a knack for striking at the heart of him. It was times like these that he wished they had left him at the damned home.

“When?” He asked tersely, wishing his brother to perdition.

“A day in the week.”

“You do realize that I work, don’t you?”

“You can take a day.”

A frown touched his forehead. “The damn thing is going to take all day?”

“No. But I want it to be like a typical ceremony. We will begin at ten in the morning and finish in precisely thirty minutes. I have asked Mother and Dad to “

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I want it to be as normal as possible- “

“So, you are inviting our parents. Who else? The men I am working with? Some of the members from our club? The board?”

“A few friends and several people from church.” Silas continued, undaunted by the forbidding expression on his brother’s face. “This is of the utmost importance to me, and I have never really asked you for a favor- “

“Stop right there.”

“Well, not recently, anyway.” Leaning forward, Silas’s face took on an earnest expression that weakened Harvey even more. “I need this.”

“Who is the lucky bride?”

“Kendra.”

“Who?”

“She owns the flower shop on Maple- “Silas stopped when he started to shake his head. “We went there to pick up a bouquet for Mother on Mother’s Day.” He continued in exasperation. “You asked her the difference between the bluebells and the hydrangea, and she explained it to you.”

“Mother’s Day was how many months ago?”

“She is beautiful, polite and patient.” Silas continued dryly. “And not your type, so you do not remember her.”

“There you go. She has agreed to this?”

“Yes.”

“Then I guess I am in.” Harvey looked at him quizzically. “Are you sleeping with her?”

“What? No!’

“You sound besotted, brother, and that protestation was slightly over the top. I am guessing you have not even asked her out yet.”

“It’s not like that,” Silas muttered, pushing to his feet. “I will leave you to get some sleep.”

“Perhaps you should jump straight to the part where you take her to bed,” Harvey called after him, grinning when the only response was slamming his doors.

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