Page 26 of Destiny Reclaimed
She knew what her friend meant. In this small town, everyone knew everybody, and every time another hometown man was killed in action it affected the whole town. Weeks ago, it wasn't only her heart that bled when notice of her brother's death was given. Her extended family, friends, and neighbors all felt the pain. It was evident in their eyes and actions.
Cindy leaned back in her chair. "We're going to make this the event of the year.
She smiled at the enthusiasm full-well knowing, in the end, it wouldn't be. That wasn't Jack's style, and right now, she wanted nothing more than to make him happy. Their wedding would be traditional—normal. Not too big for Jack, and not too small for her.
Traditional, but soon.
––––––––
All afternoon, allGwen could think about was Jack. As the clock clicked closer to quitting time, she grew as giddy as a school girl in love for the first time. The second she left work, she planned to run home, change, and then head over to his parents’ place.
Though she saw Mr. and Mrs. Cornelis regularly, today would be different. Today she'd be looking at them through different lenses as they would soon be her in-laws. She'd known these people her entire life and always loved them. Mrs. Cornelis was a strong, independent woman. A trendsetter for her time. The woman's story was fascinating. During WWI, she wasn't even twenty years old when she volunteered to drive an ambulance for the Red Cross, finding herself in the heat of the war on the Italian front.
Mr. Cornelis.Pride laced Gwen. The man's story was spectacular. A true war hero, though one would never know it by the way he carried himself. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened because if he opened his mouth, people knew it was for good reason. Jack was a lot like his dad. No flair, even-keeled, sharp as a tack.
She chuckled to herself as she recalled the one lie she'd heard Mr. Cornelis had told during his lifetime. Though he'd lied, he came out smelling like a rose. At the age of seventeen he'd lied telling the ambulance service he was eighteen so they'd take him. But, without that lie, he may have never become the man—war hero he was.
Mr. Cornelis practiced medicine at their small hometown hospital. The surgeries he performed there could have probably been done in his sleep as they were nothing compared to what he'd done in the service. Over the past couple of years, he’d phased out of surgery and tended to only a few long-time patients.
Gratification consumed her. She was about to become part of this upstanding family. At this very moment, she couldn't be happier.
As planned, Gwen punched out, hustled home to change and bathe, then practically ran out the door, taking barely enough time to say goodbye to her parents. The knowing look on her mother's face indicated she understood.
Mrs. Cornelis welcomed her at the door with a hug, then her husband did the same. Jack stood behind his parents, flashing his handsome smile.
"Congratulations. We are so happy you will be officially becoming part of our family," Mrs. Cornelis said.
The kind lady reached up and placed her hand on her son’s cheek. "She's a keeper. Do whatever it takes to make her happy," she instructed with a wide smile and devilish wink.
Gwen giggled and shared a glance with Jack.
"I intend to," he replied.
Gwen grinned and bounced her gaze between the older couple. “Mrs. Cornelis, I’m sure Jack will do just fine.”
“Oh, he will or there will be heck to pay. And dear, we’re going to be family, please call me Ruth. No need for Mrs.” She pointed at her husband, “Or Mr., okay.”
Gwen nodded.
Wasting no time, Jack slung his coat over his shoulders, then he gestured to the front door. "Shall we?"
Ruth waved. "Have fun."
She returned the kind woman's gesture before she spun and exited the home.
Jack opened the passenger door to her vehicle, and she slid inside. She didn't know where he intended to take her, never thought to ask the night before when they'd made plans to go out. Where they went didn’t matter; the only thing she cared about was being with him.
But, not knowing where he planned to take her, had made it difficult to know how to dress. The one thing she knew for sure though was she wanted to draw her fiancé's undivided attention. With that, she’d chosen a short black and white checkered miniskirt and tall black boots. If that wasn’t enough to get his attention, the snug black sweater that accented her breasts should surely do the trick. Truth be told, she felt a bit presumptuous—improper—which is why she'd covered herself with her long coat so neither her parents nor Jack's would see what she wore.
She watched as her fiancé walked around the front of the car and climbed into the driver's seat. He cranked the engine then adjusted the heat. It was cold outside, but not too bad for February in Wisconsin. Overall, this winter was a bit warmer than normal and produced a bit less snow than usual, but it still got pretty cold at night.
He pulled out of the driveway and headed toward town.
"Are you hungry? Do you want to get something to eat?"
"Sure." She was hungry all right but not for food. What she wanted was him. She'd waited so long for him to return home and finish what they'd started the night before he shipped off.
"Where would you like to go?" he asked as he reached over and wove his warm fingers among hers.
