Page 79 of Aisle Be The Groom
“Call me Emma. I’ll be your mother-in-law soon. Besides, I’m thinking of going back to my maiden name after the divorce is final.”
My mouth fell open, the news so shocking I followed her into the dining room without a word. Gray had actually done it. He hadn’t just been feeding me a line. Tears pricked my eyes.
“Divorce?”
She waved me aside and gestured at the table. “It’s been long overdue. Let’s not talk about divorce when we’re here to plan your wedding. Have a seat. Gertie will bring us some coffee soon.”
I frowned. “Gertie’s busy. I can get my own coffee.”
“That’s what Gertie is for.”
“Actually, I don’t think she’s here to wait on me hand and foot. It won’t take long.”
“Honestly, Ozzie, it’s like you don’t want to plan this wedding at all.”
Bingo!
Once more I made a beeline for the kitchen, eager to escape Emma’s frenzied wedding planning. I needed some time to gather my thoughts, and the kitchen had become a happy place for me.
This is really happening. Gray is divorcing his wife to be with me.
As soon as I entered the kitchen, Gertie’s eyebrows went sky high. “Regretting your life choices now, aren’t ya?”
My face heated. “No, not really.” Not at all.
“How are you going to handle all that wedding planning?”
“I’ll figure something out. Pretend I’ve come down with the flu, maybe.”
She clicked her tongue and shook her head while I busied myself getting a cup of coffee. “I underestimated you for a meek thing, didn’t I?”
“Maybe.”
“Or maybe that man’s been giving you something to be feisty about.”
“Gertie!” I stirred creamer into the coffee so fast some liquid spilled over the edge.
“What? You’re old enough to do it but not talk about it? There’s no shame in admitting you like it.”
“I am not ashamed of what I do”—I glanced over my shoulder, then lowered my voice—”with Gray.”
“Well, you’d better think of something fast, or you’ll be walking down the aisle with the wrong man.”
Gertie put a plate together for me and shooed me out of the kitchen.
“Can’t I eat in here?” I moaned.
“Heck no. If you eat in here, then she’ll follow. There’s a whole lot more soot in that one than up a chimney.”
Laughing, I cradled the tray in my hands. “I think you mean snoot, Gertie. But at least send an SOS to Gray for me. He’ll know what to do.”
“Mmm-hmm. I bet Mr. Fix-It sure knows how to fix everything.”
From the way she was eyeing me up and down and chuckling softly, I knew she was making fun of me. I returned to the dining room, my heart sinking as Emma pulled out a wedding catalog from an overstuffed tote bag, her enthusiasm shining brightly.
“There you are. Sit. You’ll have to ride while you whistle. The invitations are out—”
“How did you get those to send out?” I sobered up as I sat. She hadn’t been through my laptop, had she?
