Page 139 of Forbidden Moon
WITHIN FORTY-EIGHThours of their joint proposal, Jonah and RJ showed up on Robert and Ash’s doorstep with a meal and an important request. Never one to turn down a new recipe, Robert prepared to serve while Ash set the table for four. He ladled the main dish of chicken and cornbread dumplings into bowls while RJ identified the other items.
“We also brought seasoned mixed greens, black-eyed peas with smoked ham hocks, and fried okra. For dessert, there’s sweet potato pie. These are my mother’s recipes. She was a wonderful cook and taught me how to make all of my favorites.”
Unable to resist, Robert slipped into food critic mode, tasting, recording impressions on his phone, and snapping pictures while the others ate and conversed quietly. Ash leaned over to admonish him.
“Back to earth, love, we have guests.”
“What? Sorry guys, this issogood! Tell me I can see the recipes, or Ash will have to beat it out of you.”
RJ got up from the table with a grin, reached into a bag on the counter, and placed a recipe box next to Robert’s plate. Wide-eyed, he immediately dropped his fork and began fingering through the well-worn index cards.
“We thought you might want to take a look. Ma used to cook meals like this at least once a week, and I would, too, if I had a regular schedule. Wait until you taste the pie!”
Jonah served it up, still warm from the oven. At Robert’s request, Ash retrieved a container of vanilla ice cream from the freezer and added a generous scoop to each plate. After second servings all around, Robert sat back in his chair with a contented sigh, eyes flicking back and forth between his smiling guests.
“All right, you two. Iknowyou didn’t only come here to feed me—you want something. I think I know what it is, so go ahead and ask.”
Jonah did so without hesitation.
“We’re getting married and need a wedding planner. Will you do it?”
Enthusiastic hugs ensued before they all settled back down around the table.
“Of course I’ll do it! Who else around here knows anything about weddings? Where, when, and who’s coming?”
RJ answered this one.
“We want a ceremony and reception, not here but somewhere big enough for the pack, Jonah’s extended family, and human guests. We’d like to do it yet this summer if possible.”
Robert grabbed a legal pad and began scribbling notes.
“I’ll have to find a venue that’s big enough but not tacky—this needs to be special. It’s prime wedding season, so it may be tough to find a good place. As soon as we have the venue and date nailed down, we’ll go over the other details. I’ve never planned nuptials for shifters before, but I like a challenge. This wedding is going to be EPIC!”
####
TWO DAYS LATER
About an hour before supper, Robert quietly hung a poster-board wedding bell on the packhouse door with the following announcement:
SAVE THE DATE!
You are hereby invited to the wedding of
Jonah Elwood Blair & Rascal James Wilson
September fifth, eleven a.m.
Terrace Bay Hotel ballroom, Gladstone, MI
Luncheon and reception to follow
(Free dance lessons each Saturday evening in the packhouse)
RJ and Jonah were mobbed when they showed up for supper—hugged to within an inch of their lives, and peppered with endless questions. While some wondered about keeping their true natures hidden among the human guests, all were determined to make the unusual occasion memorable for their packmates. Robert even cleared a section of the floor and set up a boom box for a dance demo with Ash as people ate their supper.
The music and ruckus drew Ben and his family into the pack house to see for themselves. They already knew about the engagement but congratulated the couple again before moving to the dance floor. Ben and Evan made a graceful pair, and Evie Rae stood on Lance’s feet as he moved around the room with her. The boys were content to get their wiggles out without worrying about rhythm, getting in everyone else’s way. Unable to sit back and watch, Nolan and Garrett decided to cut the rug themselves. Garrett didn’t seem to have any trouble learning, but Nolan moved like a clodhopping chicken.
Robert took the man in hand personally, patiently instructing his uncoordinated packmate in the finer art of dance. Some onlookers were already placing bets over how many innocent bystanders would be injured before the reception ended. Even the formerly accident-prone Scooter managed to catch on quickly with Robyn as a partner.
