Page 18 of Kissing Her Rescuer

“Where did you want to use these flowers?”

Ms. Iris lifted one shoulder. “I have no idea, honey. That's why I wanted your help. I know what I like and what I don't like, but I don't know how to fit it all together.”

A good decorator shouldn't agree with their client that they didn't have a flipping clue either. Eliza wrote down the name of the flower, underlined it twice like that meant something, and then turned to the next picture in the magazine that Ms. Iris had flagged with a bright yellow sticky note.

“I really liked those candles,” she said.

Eliza pressed her lips together a moment before answering. “Aren't you getting married at three in the afternoon?”

“Yes.”

Did people light candles to use in the middle of the day? Maybe it was a wedding thing she didn't know about. Her own courthouse wedding didn't involve anything. Including a wedding dress. Now, she sat there, planning her dad's wedding while her sister, cousin, and best friend were all engaged.

Eliza closed the magazine even though three more pages were marked. “Do you mind if I take these magazines home? I can research a little to find some more ideas to show you.”

“Sounds like a wonderful idea. Want to meet next Tuesday?” Ms. Iris gathered up the rest of her things from her kitchen table. “I know I told you we don't have a budget, but you know how your dad can get. Nothing that's too over the top.”

“I know.” Her dad would have gone to the courthouse in a heartbeat. “Carrie,” she called into the living room. “It's time to go.”

Carrie bounded in with her book bag full of stuff ready to go. “I already packed up.”

“Great.” Eliza gave Ms. Iris a hug. “I promise I'll do my best on your wedding.” Even though her best would most likely fall horribly short.

“I know you will.” She patted her back, kissed Carrie on the top of her head, and ushered them outside. Eliza drove home, keeping the music low and conversation minimal since it inched up on nine on a Friday night. The group of her friends, including Dewey, she assumed, were meeting at Rhonda's. She hadn't been back since her embarrassment with Tommy, and she could only hope that she didn't run into George. Talking to her biker buddy might raise a few eyebrows from her other friends.

“Mama, where are you going tonight?” Carrie yawned in the backseat.

“Mama's friends are going to dinner, and they invited me.” All her sister's friends had basically adopted her into their group, which made it easier to come home. Most of her own friends from when she was younger had moved on and away from Statem after she ran off with Zach.

“Can I stay up late?” She asked through another yawn. Her big seven-year-old thought she shouldn't have a bedtime. If Eliza let her, she'd stay up to midnight every night. Or try to.

“I'll tell Grandpa you can stay up a little later tonight.” Her dad wouldn't have it, though. He thought all kids should have a strict bedtime. Eliza just didn’t have the energy to fight it every night.

She pulled into her driveway. “Here we are.” She walked around to Carrie’s door. “Up you go.” She shouldered Carrie’s bookbag and then picked her up.

A pair of headlights pulled in behind her. Hudson, Becky's fiancé, stopped his truck beside the car. Almost six months ago, Eliza had been the first one in Statem to recognize Hudson, with his permanent five o'clock shadow, buzzed haircut, and about thirty pounds of straight muscle he'd gained while in the military. He'd left their small town a few years before Eliza did, after a big falling out with Becky, and now, it appeared as though neither one of them had ever left. Statem had sucked them both back in easier than it'd been to leave the first time.

“What are you doing?” Eliza asked, looking past Hudson to Becky in the passenger seat. “I thought we were meeting at Rhonda's?”

“Turns out someone we both hate is hanging out in the bar tonight.” Becky hitched a thumb at Hudson. “I don't trust Mr. Muscles here to keep his cool.”

Hudson laughed. “Me. I'm the definition of keeping my cool. It’s Dewey we need to worry about. Never seen someone switch between having a good time one minute, to looking like he would annihilate a man. Didn't realize he had something personal against Tommy, not that I'm complaining. So, we moved dinner to our house.”

Eliza hid her smile. Dewey couldn’t even let go of the overprotective streak he had for her and have a good time. God, why did she like it? “You could have called me. I could drive out there.”

“I came to pick you up so Hugh could have his car.” Becky leaned over the window and looked down at Carrie. “I'm borrowing your mama for a sleepover. She won't be home until almost lunch tomorrow.”

Sleepover? “What?”

Becky held up a tequila bottle and margarita mix.

“Oh.” That made sense. “Afunsleepover.”

“Can I come?” Carrie whined, yawned, and laid her head on Eliza's shoulder. “I like fun.”

“How about you come for a sleepover next week? Hudson will be out of town, and I'll be lonely.” She winked. “We can bake those cookies you like.”

Carrie's little head popped back up. “You promise?”

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