Page 42 of Coming Home

Love shone in his eyes as Jackson said, “I would wait a lifetime for you, love.” He turned and faced the group. “How does the next Monday look for everyone?”

“Good for us,” Willow said enthusiastically, and Tenley echoed the same.

Rylie said, “You know Antiques and Mystiques is closed on Mondays. I’ll be there.”

Ainsley turned to Gage. “What about you?”

“I do have clients on Mondays. If you could narrow down a timeframe for me, though, I would like to be there. I could give my clients a week’s notice and schedule a makeup session that way.”

“Then it’s settled,” Jackson said. “Not this coming Monday, but the next one. That will also give Ainsley time to talk to her staff at Buttercup Bakery and make arrangements. Someone will have to fill the Monday order for her. Ainsley and I will go to the county clerk’s office next Monday while she’s off and pick up our wedding license. I’ll even run by there tomorrow and arrange a time for the ceremony so I can let you know. Gage, what would work best for you?”

She thought it incredibly sweet that Jackson would ask Gage, who was such a new friend, what might be convenient for him. It let her know what a thoughtful man she was marrying.

“Monday mornings are really booked for me until noon,” Gage replied. “I only have two individual clients on Monday afternoons, and they would be easy to reschedule.”

“Good to know,” Jackson said. “I’ll arrange with the county clerk for an afternoon wedding. I’ll aim for two. That will give everyone time to tend to whatever business they need to that morning and still make it over to the courthouse.”

“It will also give me more time to pull together a reception to celebrate,” Willow said. She looked to Tenley and Rylie. “I’m expecting the two of you to help.” She looked back at Ainsley. “Would it be all right to have a party that night? About six?”

“That would be perfect,” Ainsley told her friend and soon to be sister-in-law. “Thank you for doing this for us.”

Willow smiled. “Well, I only have one brother. I do feel rather fond of him. I would like the two of you to be able to celebrate in casual style.”

As they ate, they talked about the wedding celebration, with Jackson saying he would like it to be similar to the one they held in Boo’s honor after her passing.

“Ainsley, work on a list of guests you want there,” Tenley suggested. “And we need to find someone else to bake the wedding cake.”

“No,” Jackson protested. “I want my future wife to bake it. I know wedding cakes are a lot of work, but it would be special if she made it for us. I know I’ll be able to taste the love baked into it.”

“You do know a small groom’s cake should also be baked,” Gage said. “Hopefully, chocolate.”

Everyone laughed, knowing what a chocoholic Gage was.

“I will take care of our wedding cake, but I think I’ll let Gus do the groom’s cake. He has a nice touch when it comes to smaller cakes.”

The women made plans to meet at five the next day for an early dinner at Eats ’n Treats. Ainsley suggested inviting Gillian, saying she was someone Jackson wanted at both the wedding ceremony and reception.

“I’ll call Gillian tonight,” Rylie volunteered. “We’ll nail down everything needed to be done at tomorrow’s dinner.” She hugged Ainsley once more. “I couldn’t be happier for you, Cuz. Jackson is an amazing man and will make an excellent husband and father.”

They all started toward the door, with Jackson claiming Dylan’s truck keys so he could put Ainsley’s bicycle in the back and take her home.

As they walked out, he said, “We forgot to tell you about buying Clancy’s house.”

“That’s wonderful,” Tenley exclaimed. “I know Willow and I were pleased with the work Pete Pulaski did on our houses, in case you think anything needs to be done to it.”

“We’re a step ahead of you, Tenley,” Jackson informed her. “We met with Pete today. Some of the furniture we like, and some we’ll want to get rid of. If you have room for those pieces in your consignment section, we’d like to place them there. I have a few pieces in storage down in L.A., but we’ll also need to order some new items for the house. Ainsley says you have a great eye. We’d appreciate your help in getting our home furnished.”

Rylie rubbed her hands together in glee. “This is right up my alley. I’d be happy to help out in any way I can.”

Ainsley went to Dylan’s truck, while Jackson placed her bike in the truck’s bed.

As they drove into town, he laced his fingers through hers. “That went well,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind waiting that extra week. I also thought it was important to make Gage part of this celebration. I know I’ve just met him, but he’s a friend of yours and everyone else’s. I like him quite a bit.”

“Waiting two weeks will certainly give us more time to plan. I like that we won’t be rushed. That way, you can get everything settled with Clancy regarding assuming his practice and hopefully handle the sale of the house, too. It’ll also give Pete a chance to start working his magic once we decide what projects to move forward with.”

“I would hate to have us try and move in while construction is going on. Do you think we could stay at your apartment until the house is ready?” he asked.

“Well, since I am the landlord, I can easily arrange that,” she said with a laugh.

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