Page 122 of Hearts Aweigh
“That’s not what—”
“If you’ll excuse me, Madeleine and I should prepare for our arrival in Galveston.”
He lowered his arms and attempted to leave. Abby locked her hands behind his back.
Spencer kept his eyes averted. “Please release me.”
“Where do you think you’re going?” She pressed closer. “I can’t hear the cynical mumbo jumbo running through your brain, but you’d better tell it to shut up.”
He zeroed in on her face. Her smile held adoration and understanding and, dare he hope, love? Abby pressed her cheek against his body.
She groaned. “I’m probably smearing makeup all over your coat, but I don’t care. I love you, Spencer. I’m not rejecting you, and I’m not letting you go. I’m just asking for a little time.”
That word again.Time.The first piece of motherly advice Daisy had ever bestowed upon him turned out to be correct.
He rubbed the heels of his hands against his eyes. “I know. The fact I want to marry someone I met three weeks ago floors me. It’s only possible because”—his fingers brushed the vibrant curls on top of her head—“because it’s you.”
She snuggled closer. “Then could you please participate in this hug?”
He crushed her to him, an odd mixture of sadness and peace swirling inside. He knew they had to wait, but now that he’d admitted the unhappy truth, the Lord’s gentle voice echoed in his spirit, confirming it was the right choice.
“I love you too,” he whispered. “What do we do now? Am I going to rack up the frequent-flier miles between Louisiana and Florida?”
She propped her chin on his chest. “They have schools in New Orleans. I bet one of them would love to hire someone with my unique talents.”
His spirits lifted. “You’d be willing to move?”
“Try and stop me. Maddie begins kindergarten this year. Who’s going to help her buy new clothes? If I left it to you, she’d always be dressed like it was picture day.”
A school wardrobe? He hadn’t thought that far ahead. Parent orientations. Homework. Girl stuff he knew nothing about. A wave of father fatigue ambushed him.
Abby giggled. “Wipe that panicked look off, mister. I’ll be there to help. And if Maddie ever has another ‘tummyegg,’ I can rush over and make my special peppermint tea.”
Spencer cupped her cheeks and rewarded her with a lingering kiss. The shorter curls that had escaped from the bun tickled his nose. He raised his head with a moan. “We won’t wait long, will we?”
Her answering grin was a mixture of innocence and mischief. “Not one day longer than we have to.”
Spencer shot a glance at the sky. “God, give me strength.”
She grasped his lapels and tugged him down. Her lips met his in a passionate promise for the future. Spencer allowed his worries to dissipate in the force of her overwhelming love.
No doubt about it. They might need a step stool in every corner.
CHAPTER 60
Ten Months and Fifteen Days Later
“LOOK WHAT CAME IN THEmail.” Emily joined her friends at a table on the upper deck. She waved an envelope of expensive cream linen paper. “I bet it’s a wedding invitation.”
“We already know Spencer and Abby are getting married.” Gerry typed on her laptop. “Daisy told us a week ago.”
“But this makes it official.” Emily slipped her finger under the flap. “Besides, we can add it to our trophy collection.”
“Gerry’s suggestion about scanning invitations to her computer was smart. Who knows how many we’ll end up with?” Althea wiggled her flowered shawl from under her thighs. “Can you imagine toting a scrapbook around in our suitcases?”
Daisy tapped the invitation in Emily’s hand. “I’m relieved they chose the off-white. It’s so much more elegant. Don’t you think?”
“I think we shouldn’t claim credit for this one.” Gerry kept typing. “Abby and Spencer found each other with minuscule help from us.”
