“Just pew bows with three small daisies on each one, bouquets, and corsages and boutonnieres,” Clinton answered. “Boston ferns will sit on pedestals on each side of the arch. If you want to look at it, the order is filed under ‘Weddings.’”
Taryn slid off the barstool, riffled through the top drawer of the file cabinet over in the corner, and brought out the order. “Thirty pew bows; the bride’s bouquet made from yellow daisies, roses, and white gladioli; and one bridesmaid is supposed to carry a nosegay of daisies and glads. Boutonnieres are to be one small yellow daisy with white ribbons. That really is a simple wedding, provided no evil wedding planner shows up.”
“Compared to that awful issue at the church, it’s going to be easy,” Jorja said.
“Unless it rains,” Anna Rose added. “What’s their plan if it rains?”
“The backup plan is that it goes inside the three-car garage owned by the bride’s folks,” Clinton said. “Barring bad weather, the ceremony will be in her folks’ backyard at the same address.”
“Smart people.” Taryn finished a bow and laid it to the side. “Keep it simple.”
“The bride’s name is Angela. She and her mother came in to make the arrangements,” Clinton said. “Angela told Irene and Ruby that her mother gave her a choice: she could have a huge wedding or a down payment on a home. She took the latter.”
“Even smarter bride,” Anna Rose said with a nod. “I’d turn down a big wedding if my folks offered to buy me a washer and dryer—but a down payment would seal the deal for sure.”
Taryn didn’t want a big wedding, she admitted to herself—not really even on a cruise, like she had teased about. What she wanted was a marriage with a man she loved and a family. Her eyes shifted from the yellow ribbon she was wrapping into a bow over to Zoe.Maybe just a sweet baby girl like that one would be a good start,she thought.
Clinton nudged Taryn. “What would it take for you to turn down a big wedding?”
“A dollar bill,” she said without hesitation.
“What?” Jorja asked.
“I’m saying that I’m not interested in an event. The long engagement, the planning, and all that isn’t on my bucket list. I just want a marriage and a family.” Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Clinton was nodding.
That morning was so slow that they got all the pew bows made. Clinton suggested that they deliver the two orders they had gotten that morning on the way to Irene’s for lunch.
“We can all go in my SUV,” Taryn said as she locked up the shop.
Jorja shook her head. “I’m not sitting in that third seat. I’d feel like I was folding my legs up in a shoebox.”
Clinton knew exactly how she felt. Someday, when he had a van for his business, he would offer to drive them in it so everyone would be comfortable. Later, when the nonprofit corporation was in full swing, he would buy a second one and thenborrowit for times when the whole family needed to use it.
“You can go with me in my truck,” Anna Rose offered. “Clinton and Zoe can ride with Taryn. You know they’ll stay longer than we will, anyway. Nana Irene and Ruby both dote on the baby and will beg themto stick around for a while. I want to come home and get a nap before I go out tonight.”
Jorja nodded and yawned at the same time. “I’m not going out this evening, but I could use a nap, so that sounds like a great idea.”
At the mention of a nap, Clinton felt a yawn coming on, too, but he kept it at bay. Zoe slept fairly well at night these days, but she always woke up at least once. Being even a temporary father was a tough job, but he still loved every minute of it. He hoped Rebecca would feel a deeper sense of motherhood after she got some help at the center. She had said that she didn’t think being there was going to work when he’d talked to her the last time. She hadn’t mentioned missing Zoe, and that concerned Clinton.
“Will Anna Rose’s truck be in good shape when y’all get there?” Taryn teased. “Do you both need to sign a contract not to get into a hair-pulling fight on the way?”
“I’ll say a prayer before we leave,” Jorja countered.
“And I’ll have a shot of whiskey,” Anna Rose added.
“Sounds about right,” Clinton muttered as he loaded up the two deliveries in the back of Taryn’s SUV.
Jorja waved from the trailer porch. “See you there.”
The times that Clinton had had a chance to be alone with Taryn had been few, and now he couldn’t think of a single thing to say to her. He’d only known her two weeks, but it seemed like a lot longer since they had been spending most of every waking hour together—most of the time with other folks around, though. Down deep in his heart, he knew that she was a good woman ... but good Lord, a couple of weeks wasn’t enough to really get to know anyone—was it? With that in mind, he could not possibly tell her that he had a huge attraction to her or ask her if she felt the same. What if he made the same mistake his grandfather and dad had when it came to women? Or what if she wasn’t ready to put down roots? That would sure make things awkward between them.
He strapped Zoe’s car seat and carrier into the back seat of the SUV, and then Taryn tossed him the keys. “You can drive, and I’ll take the two deliveries up to the door,” she said.
Clinton smiled as he got in behind the steering wheel. “I’m not going to argue.”
“Have you heard from Rebecca in the last couple of days?” Taryn asked as she fastened her seat belt.
“She called last night,” Clinton answered and started the engine, “and she’s not doing well. I wouldn’t be surprised if the doctors want her to stay more than six weeks. She never had anyone that loved her except for Larry, and she’s so fragile right now. I’m not sure she’ll be in any shape to take Zoe back for a while.”
