Page 56 of The Honorable Texan
“I suppose if we hurry, we can manage next week,” Blake said.“Under the circumstances, the sooner the better.But it won’t be a big wedding.I’ve got cases I can’t postpone, so there won’t be time for a honeymoon just yet.”
“Never mind the honeymoon, you have to legalize my grandchild,” Mrs.Hardy continued.
“I’ll get right to the arrangements,” Blake said.“She can go shopping for a dress and I’ll arrange the flowers and the reception.”
“What about the minister?”Mrs.Hardy asked.
“We could have a civil service,” Violet began, worried.
“We will not,” Blake interrupted.“We’re having a church wedding.Violet,” he continued softly when he saw her face, “it’s not as if we’re being forced into it.”He glanced at Mrs.Hardy and cleared his throat.“Well, we’re sort of being forced into it, and we did jump the gun.But we’re going to have a good marriage, and it needs a good foundation.”
“I’d be self-conscious in church,” she murmured.
“Even the Puritans crossed the line when they were engaged,” Blake said.“God doesn’t expect people to be perfect.Luckily for us all.”
“I suppose so,” Violet replied.
“People will talk,” Mrs.Hardy murmured unhappily.
“They’re already talking, and smiling, and laughing,” Blake told her with a grin.“It’s an open secretall over town.The only thing they’re curious about is where we’re being married.”
“I suppose that’s the beauty of small towns,” Violet agreed, smiling back.“There are no real secrets.We’re all family.”
“Exactly,” Blake replied.“Now to the next important issue.”He watched their faces grow attentive.“Who wants Chinese take-out?”he asked, chuckling.
* * *
He went toget the order and brought it back to Mrs.Hardy’s.She and Violet already had the places set at the table and they were all hungry.They talked over the potential case against Janet Collins, and the forthcoming wedding.By the time Blake was ready to leave, Mrs.Hardy was smiling and seemed to have no more misgivings.
Violet walked him out to his car, noticing how bright and clear the night sky was.The stars were brilliant.All around there was the fragrance of the old-fashioned roses Mrs.Hardy grew in her small garden.
Mrs.Hardy had already announced her opinion of living with the newlyweds—and especially Blake’s delinquent Siamese.She said she’d prefer torture.So they’d compromised on having a nurse-companion stay with her.Blake would call an agency and have them send over people for Mrs.Hardy’s approval.
“She’ll be much happier here, I know,” Violet told him on the porch.“She loves puttering in her roses.We can visit her a lot.”
“We’ll come over often and bring supper, too,” he said.“She’ll have someone qualified to look after her, so you don’t have to worry about that.”He looked ather curiously.“See how easily things work out, when they’re meant to happen?”
She nodded.She moved a step closer to him.It was chilly, despite the usually warm spring nights.She looked up at him quietly.“You won’t end up resenting the baby because it forced us into marriage?”
He caught her by the waist and pulled her close.“If I didn’t care about you, I’d make provisions for you and the baby and we wouldn’t get married,” he said surprisingly.“I don’t like the idea of divorce.It’s messy and it leaves a trail of sorrow behind it.You and I have a lot in common.We’re basically the same sort of people.We have the same attitudes.We both love children and animals.There’s enough there to start with, and a physical compatibility that I never expected in a million years.I want to marry you.The baby is going to be a bonus.”
Tears stung her eyes.“You’ve thought about this a lot.”
“I have.That’s why I’m sorry you overheard me talking to Dr.Lou Coltrain,” he added, identifying his confidant for the first time.“I wasn’t choosing my words, and I was confused.I’m not anymore.”
“You’re sure about that?”she asked gently.
He nodded.He traced a line down her soft cheek.“I’ve been alone for a long time.I’m tired of it.I’ll adjust, and so will you.”
She nodded, but she still looked worried.
“What now?”he asked.
“I’m scared.”
“Of getting married?”he asked with a quizzical smile.
“Of the baby,” she replied.“They don’t come with instruction manuals.They’re so tiny, and so fragile…”
