Page 26 of Bride Games

Paige cocked an eyebrow. “Your choice. I’ll shower while you decide.” Halfway across the room, she pointed toward a tall linen closet. “The vacuum’s in there.”

While the warmth of the water cascaded over her tight shoulders, Paige lathered up and wondered if she heard thedistinct hum of a vacuum. Turning the water off, she cracked the shower door to listen.Yep. He’s vacuuming.She smiled as she turned the water back on.He’s a keeper. Marie Fallon doesn’t stand a chance.

23

Emma

Emma stared at her fiancé who busily flipped burgers in the backyard—her backyard—where he and her young daughter had ever so sweetly jointly proposed. While Lucy busied herself with a handful of chalk art, which she constantly dropped on the sidewalk but refused to set down because, “A squirrel might take it, Mommy,” Eli closed the lid on the grill. “I have a question. Where do you want to get married? Have you had time to think about a location?”

“The park,” Lucy shouted while feverishly drawing a green sun with purple rays.

Emma winked at her daughter. “That would be memorable, Luce, but I don’t think so. Well, maybe.” She leaned down to draw a heart beside Lucy’s attempt at a pink flower with an extremely long vine. Still squatting, Emma stared up at Eli. “I don’t know. We’ve already discussed our tiny budget. We won’t be able to afford anything elaborate, but it doesn’t matter. I just want to be your wife. We can get married in my backyard, for that matter.” She sniffed the air. “Those burgers smell amazing, by the way.”

“Thanks, babe. As far as having the wedding here, you’d worry about cleaning the house and have to do too much of thework if it’s in the backyard, plus I’d have to mow and weed eat. We don’t need the added stress.” Eli took the steaming burgers and placed them on a platter atop buns. “Why don’t we talk about it while we eat.”

“Good idea. Go wash your hands, Luce.” Emma opened the patio door and placed the condiments, chips, dip, and watermelon slices on the table.

After they ate the mouth-watering burgers, Lucy, who still had ketchup stains on her cheeks, asked to go see their neighbor.” Emma wet a napkin and cleaned her daughter’s face. “Go ahead but knock first.”

Glad to have adult time to chat, Emma quickly loaded the dishwasher while Eli took out the trash. She reached for his hand and led him to the couch. “You’re right. We do need to figure out our venue.”

Eli ran his fingers through his dark hair. “I wish I made a higher salary because you’re a queen. My queen. Sorry you’re marrying a lowly kindergarten teacher. I’d love to give you a huge celebration complete with a band, chandeliers, caviar, a huge buffet—or maybe even butler served with bottles of champagne on every table. I want the works for you, babe. You deserve it for being such a wonderful mother, person, and fiancée.” Eli kissed the top of both of Emma’s hands as he stared into her tear-filled eyes. “If I could afford it, our wedding would be the envy of every Hollywood celebrity but”—he sighed—“I can’t.”

“Eli Hansen.” Emma half scolded him as she cupped his face with her hands. “First of all, don’teversay you’re a lowly kindergarten teacher. That’s how we met, plus teaching studentsis the greatest occupation imaginable. You’re helping to form young kids’ imaginations, minds, dreams, and hopes. What could be better than that?” She put her finger on his lips as he attempted to speak. “Shh. I’ll answer my own question. Nothing. Absolutely nothing is better.” Cocking her head, she added, “Of course, finding a cure for cancer or Alzheimer’s might come in as a tie, but aside from those two, you’re doing God’s work, my love. I couldn’t be prouder of you or your profession. Promise me you’ll never describe yourself like that again.”

Eli traced Emma’s freckles on her cheeks. “Thank you for your sweet support. I couldn’t ask for a better partner. I love you.” After a long kiss he asked, “Why didn’t we meet years ago?”

Emma chuckled. “You probably wouldn’t have appreciated me. I’d say we met at the perfect time in both of our lives. Back to our wedding, though. We really must start finalizing more plans besides your favorite color.”

“Ouch.” Eli winced. “I knew you hated it.”

“No, I don’t. It’s growing on me and Paige absolutely can’twaitto wear an orange gown.”

“Really?” His expression was that of an innocent kid who was told Santa was going to make a second visit since he was so special.

Emma belly laughed. “She sort of hates the idea of wearing orange but said she’ll do it for me. For us. Back to the venue. Do you want our wedding to be indoors or out? Maybe that’ll help us narrow it down.”

Brows furrowed as if he were concentrating on final exams, Eli said, “I’ll defer to you, but unless we want to be like that rainy kissing scene inThe Notebook, I think it’s safer to have the wedding inside.”

She gave him a light peck. “But that’s such a sexy scene.”

“Uh, don’t stop,” he mumbled as their lips and tongues entwined. When they came up for air, Eli tucked her hair behind her ear. “That was nice. We should kiss-talk more often.”

Emma playfully punched him. “Only if you’ll focus on the topic at hand.”

“Okay, okay. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. Really. I just want to be married. Which do you prefer?”

Emma chewed on her bottom lip as if conjuring up the perfect image of her wedding day. She stared into Eli’s eyes. “I don’t have a big picture in my mind of the wedding of my dreams. Never have. Maybe I never allowed myself to dream.” Shrugging, she added, “I agree it doesn’t matter whether the ceremony is inside or out, but you make a valid point. Let’s have it indoors. Want me to check on some nearby chapels? See if there’s any vacancy on short notice?” Emma peeked through the screen door to check on her daughter. Lucy waved her arms theatrically as Lucy was wont to do, likely telling their neighbor an extremely detailed tale. Mrs. Roberts appeared on the edge of her porch swing listening to Lucy’s every word. “She’s the best neighbor.”

“Yes, she is, but as you said, let’s stay on topic. Where was Paige going to have her wedding?” He winked. “You know, the one you sort of planned before it all fell apart?”

“The almost-wedding from hell.” Emma shook her head. “That place gets booked a year or two in advance. The Chateau is in Branson overlooking Table Rock Lake. It’s an enchanting, gorgeous place but I think it’s out of our budget, plus it probably isn’t available on our time schedule.”

Eli sighed. “I don’t want to wait a year or two.”

“Me neither. I’ll call a few places tomorrow.”

Lucy came running inside, speaking breathlessly. “Mrs. Woberts said she smelled your burgers, Mr. Hansen. I told her I’d bring her one. Do we have any left?”

---