Page 54 of Coming Home

Breaking the kiss, his gaze met hers. “I have never been more sure about anything in my life, Ainsley. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Let’s go jump through the hoops it’ll take to do so legally.”

They went downstairs to his car and left the Cove, heading for the Barton County courthouse.

On the way, she asked, “When are you meeting with Clancy today? I know he was supposed to land sometime yesterday afternoon.”

“We’re set to meet at one this afternoon. Really, there won’t be much to discuss. We’ve already closed on the house, and I was also able to send him the documents which allowed me to purchase his law practice. Everything has been signed and properly filed. Funds have been transferred, as well. Today is more about Clancy clueing me in on a few clients and their personal stories. I do have some questions, based upon the files I went through last week. I’ve made a list of them. It shouldn’t take long.”

Jackson added, “Clancy also got married while he was down in Houston. He and Myra decided to go ahead and do so while they were there so her family could attend. Myra has stayed in Houston, while Clancy has come back to the Cove to tie up all loose ends for the both of them.”

“Will he be around next Monday for our wedding and reception?”

“He won’t be staying that long, but he’s wished us the best. I think after today, Clancy wants to slip away quietly. He wouldn’t want to take away any attention from us.”

“But he was supposed to have a huge birthday celebration in the Cove this summer. We’d already discussed what he wanted his cake to look like. I’ve got the drawings done. All he and Myra needed to do was choose the cake’s flavors.”

“Maybe we can talk him and Myra into coming back for one.”

They arrived at the courthouse at eight-thirty on the dot and went inside, heading for the county clerk’s office. Since the building had just opened, they were the first in line to see her.

“Good morning, Bertha,” Jackson said. “I’m back with my fiancée. This is Ainsley Robinson.”

The clerk, who looked to be in her early fifties and still very attractive for her age, smiled and offered Ainsley her hand.

“I tasted some of your cupcakes not too long ago,” Bertha said. “My sister was having a fiftieth birthday party and instead of a cake, she wanted to have a variety of cupcakes served instead. I tried a German chocolate one and also a chocolate almond fudge. You are quite the baker.”

“Thank you so much. I remember your sister coming in. We had fun coming up with the different flavors and frostings. I hope she had a good time.”

Bertha chuckled. “My sister has always had a good time. She’s on her fourth husband and they left last week on a six-month cruise. She’s always had a zest for living. But let’s get down to business. May I see the ID that you brought?”

She and Jackson handed over their IDs, and Bertha gave them a tablet with a document loaded onto it for them to fill out. They went to two nearby chairs and entered their information. It didn’t take long to complete the application, and Jackson handed it back to Bertha, who returned their IDs to them.

The clerk looked over their responses and then smiled brightly. “This will do the trick. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll have the license generated for you.”

True to her word, Bertha presented them with a marriage license less than five minutes later. She handed it over to Jackson.

“It’s good for two months, as you know, but I still have you on my calendar for three next Monday afternoon. Is that still the plan?”

“Yes, Bertha. Thank you for everything you’ve done. I guess we’ll see you a week from today.”

They said their goodbyes and left the county courthouse. Ainsley looked around and didn’t see Rylie’s SUV. She had told her cousin to meet them here around nine, in order to give them time to obtain their marriage license.

“If you’re looking for Rylie, she’s not going to pick you up here,” her fiancé said, escorting her back to his car.

Disappointment filled her. Ainsley had been looking forward to shopping for her wedding dress.

“She’s meeting us in Portland instead.”

“Why?”

Jackson gave her an enigmatic look. “You’ll see.”

They drove into Portland, traffic light this Monday morning, unlike what it would become in the next few weeks as tourist season hit the Oregon coast. Jackson seemed to know exactly where he was going, and Ainsley sat back, trusting him. She looked down at their joined hands, still not quite believing that they had fallen in love so quickly and would soon be man and wife.

Jackson pulled into a parking place, and Ainsley glanced up, seeing they were at a jeweler’s. She had forgotten all about rings.

He came and opened her door, helping her from the vehicle, and they went inside. The store was empty except for a man who greeted them by name.

“Ah, you must be Jackson and Ainsley,” he said jovially. “I’m Burt, the owner. Clancy Nelson tells me you are looking for wedding rings.”

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