Page 69 of A Second Chance

“Tired,” he yawned. “I got woken up to come out here.”

“Late night,” Dan quipped.

Jason took a long drink of his coffee in response, the phone in his pocket vibrated and he answered.

“Is this McMillan Electrical?” a voice asked.

He should answer the phone the phone that way, but wasn’t used to owning his own business. “Yeah, I’m Jason. What can I do for you?”

“The lights to my studio have shorted out,” she said. “Can you come look at it?”

“Not today ma’am, I have a prior commitment.”

“Yes, Avery’s wedding,” she said.

“Do I know you?” he asked, tension rising in his gut.

“No, I know Gwen. We are at Llewellyn’s together. I’m Megan,” she said. “I was hoping you could get out here before that.”

He relaxed and leaned back. “I can’t do it today. If you want someone today, you can try the other electrician in town.”

“Edgar? No, he’s creepy and smells like licorice.”

Jason stifled a laugh. “How about tomorrow afternoon at two?”

“Yeah, I can wait,” she said.

“Is it a detached building?”

“Yes.”

“Keep all electricity off going to it,” he said. “And text me your address.”

“Business is booming,” Dan said, as Jason pocketed the cell phone.

He had to admit that now he had his official business license, his fears of people avoiding him because of his past were premature. But he they still watched and waited for him to act crazy. “Can’t complain,” he said.

Twenty-Seven

Gwen stood in the doorway of the bridal suite, a room inside the restored 1935 farmhouse at Huntington Farms. She could only describe the room like the rest of the venue, elegant and gorgeous, with cream-colored walls, restored hardwood flooring, and cushy gray sofa in front of a large window. She held gratitude deep in her soul that the guys were just letting them use this space for free. They planned the wedding on a Friday at two, so it’s not like they took up a prime spot, but still.

She carried in Avery’s dress and hers from the car and hung them on the door. Then she noticed another hook over the window. She smiled, realizing it was a great place for a picture, and took Avery’s dress out of the bag and arranged it over the window above the couch. Gwen snapped a few pictures with her cell phone camera.

“What are you doing?” Avery’s voice came from behind her.

“Taking a few of those fancy snapshots of your dress.”

“Well, here’s my flower crown,” Avery indicated the box in her hand. In true Avery fashion, she had foregone a traditional veil and headpiece. That didn’t surprise Gwen, what did was that her dress was white. She considered it a bohemian style, in keeping with Avery’s taste. The bridal dress in traditional white, not her style, had lace extending from the shoulders down the back in the v shape, buttoning at the small of the back. It was flowy, lacey, and ethereal. Avery looked like a maiden goddess in it. Gwen held back tears the first time Avery tried it on.

“Add the shoes too,” their mother said, coming in.

“I don’t think my sandals are particularly picture-worthy,” Avery said, digging in a bag and bringing out makeup.

Gwen aimed the cell phone at Avery and took a photo. “But it’s the bride’s big day.”

“Ick, no, not yet,” she said, indicting down her front, Avery wore a flannel button down shirt that was too big for her; it belonged to Nick. “And don’t say stuff like that, you’ll freak me out.”

“There’s still time to run,” Natalie said.

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