“Yeah, I’ve always wondered,” Candice says. “How rich wereyour grandparents?”
“Pretty rich. And the money has grown over the years. I’ll get a million. And I’m giving Jonah ten percent, which Iknowis a large cut, but I needed him to agree.”
Jenny lets out a whistle. “Damn, money like that would have been pretty useful when I was leaving my ex-husband.”
I’ve never heard Jenny mention her ex before, but from what I know, he was pretty awful to her. I reach out and grab her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. It strikes me that Star Mountain Horse Rescue has become a haven for both of us.
Jenny gives me a smile that I can tell is fake and says, “So, when is the wedding?”
“Monday. At the court house.”
“Winnie! That’s no time at all!” Candice jumps up and starts pacing around the small living room. “We have so much to do. We need a cake, first of all. Though I’m sure Aimee can do one for us, and if not then Beau is a good baker as well.”
“And a dress!” Jenny cuts in. “A dress is the most important part.”
“I don’t need any of that, though. It’s not a real wedding,” I protest, even though I’m already mentally flipping through theroster of white gowns I have in my closet, and imagining how Jonah might look in a suit. Probably delicious.
“Are you going to be real married after, though?” Candice cocks a brow at me.
I nod.
“Then it’s a real wedding.”
“I’ll find something in my closet to wear or alter. I have my sewing machine with me. And I promise that it will be white,” I say. “But seriously, don’t worry about a cake.”
Jenny rubs her hands together and a look that can only be described as mischievous crosses her face. “Now, time for the fun part. The bachelorette.”
“Oh! I know!” Candice yells. “The Horseshoe tomorrow evening! It’s drag night. We’ll get dolled up, make a batch of cocktails here and play some games, and then head there.”
“Ohhh that does sound fun!” I say, finally getting into the idea of celebrating this wedding. “Someone needs to get Beau and Nathan to plan Jonah a bachelor party though, I guess.”
“Aw, that’s cute Win. You’re looking out for him already,” Jenny says.
“It’s not like that. Jonah is just so…so grumpy that I know he’d never ask for one himself.”
“Mhm, sure.” Jenny raises a brow at me.
“You know,” Candice says. “Jonah hasn’t dated anyone in a while. He and his last girlfriend broke up right around the time his mom got sick.”
“And?” I ask.
“And,” Candice continues, “I just thought you might care about your husband-to-be’s dating history. Especially since this is a small town.”
“Well, that’s none of my business,” I say, uncomfortable with the idea that Jonah has a dating history, and that I know so little about it. And about him,period.What I do know is that we’vebutted heads many times since meeting, even if we’ve managed to get along at points. I mean, the man called me a ditz when he first met me.
“If it were me, I’d want to know everything,” Jenny says.
“About what, mama?” Lila asks. She’s toddled over from her blocks and to the table. Jenny picks her up and bounces the toddler on her lap.
“About how stinking cute you are!” Jenny plants a kiss on Lila’s head. “But serious, Winnie,” she continues. “There isn’t much dirt to be had on Jonah anyways from what I can tell. None of the single gals in town have any complaints about him.”
“Well that’s good,” I say. “He was a bit of a prick when I met him, so I’m honestly not sure he’ll be the easiest husband to deal with.”
“Jonah is all bark,” Candice says. “But he’s a good guy, and he’s honest. He won’t lie to you or cheat on you.”
“I bet that’s why he seems to hate pageants so much,” I remark.
“What do you mean?” Candice asks.
