Page 63 of Sutton and the CEO Forever

As the crowd listened to Reena’s vast and colorful life, it affected them all a little differently. It was a strong reminder for Natalie that we don’t know when our last day will be. All of the years spent apart from Julio, so precious, suddenly seemed lost.

For Sutton, she was reminded of when her mother passed and how difficult it was to lose the most important person in your life. When this happened to her, it was Alice and Reena who had filled the gap. Now it would be her turn to step in and make sure that Alice wasn’t left on her own too long.

Katie listened to all of the things Reena had done and experienced, and her heart ached because she hadn’t known what an amazing woman Reena truly was. She thought she did, but Katie realized that these older ladies had an entire lifetime of experiences they could share. She vowed to herself then and there that she would spend more time with Alice and get to know her story.

The last thing Katie wanted was to learn about her friends after they were gone.

Knox and Candice were stiff and silent; the sorrow radiating off of them in waves.

Mark held Sutton close, worried about how she trembled in his arms. He knew that Reena was like a second mother to her.

Brian felt slightly numb. He could hardly believe that the funny older woman was gone. It was like they were going through the motions, but it was all a bad dream they would hopefully wake up from.

Katie sniffed rather loudly, and he pulled her against him. She pressed her face against his suit jacket, and he could see the mascara on her cheeks.

This one woman had touched so many lives. Her friendly, offbeat personality had been a blessing to every member of Otterville Falls. Brian swallowed hard. He wondered if he was to die tomorrow if anyone would be there.

And since coming out to help Sutton, he had developed friendships, gotten closer with his brother, and fallen in love.

“I love you,” he whispered into Katie’s hair.

She clutched him more closely, and he knew that was her way of saying she loved him back. But suddenly, he wanted her to know. To choose him, to be with him not just for today, but for always.

The new priest had gotten up to say a few words, but Brian wasn’t paying attention to them. It was like an unearthly force was urging him on.

“I need to talk to you,” he whispered again, this time into her ear.

Katie turned her tearstained face up to him, and his heart thudded in his chest. She was so damn beautiful.

“I want to marry you.”

Okay, it had come out louder than he had intended it to.

There was a gasp of surprise from several of the matrons in town. Sutton’s mouth popped open, and Candice blinked out of the dead stare she had been in.

“What?” Alice called out from the front of the church, “What did he say?”

“I want to marry the deputy,” someone called out from the back.

“I am sure we can talk about this after the service,” the priest tried getting things back on track.

Alice’s face took on a strange expression, and then she began to laugh.

“She’s lost it,” Candice gripped Knox’s hand, “Do something!”

Sutton, who had overheard the comment, was inclined to agree. But Katie was still reeling from what Brian had said.

“Did you mean it?”

Her voice was every bit as loud as his had been; granted, she had to be heard over Alice’s laughter.

“Are you quite alright, Miss Alice?” Brian asked, moving to stand in front of the small pew.

Alice grinned, wiping her cheeks, “Reena always told me she would go out with a bang. But this? I truly am impressed.”

Alice tipped her head up to the sky, “You did well, Reena. I don’t know how you got him to say it but well played, my friend, well played. And you there, Katie, answer the poor boy!”

Katie watched as Brian sank to his knees. It was a tight fit, and she wasn’t sure he would be coming out anytime soon.

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