I bet. Moving is the worst.
I can’t imagine trying to “move”
while grieving and then it’s not even your stuff.
I wish I was there to help you.
Yeah that, Xeni thought. So far, she’d managed to move everything in her aunt’s bedroom around in search of her grandmother’s jewelry, but she hadn’t actually sorted anything. She had to wait because something in her gut told her now wasn’t the time for actually cleaning and sorting. Not yet.
It’s a lot, but I’ll get it sorted out.
I miss you.
How are Rowan and the girls?
A picture of her friend’s husband holding their adorable four-month-old popped up on the screen. The daughters from her marriage to her douchebag ex were in the bottom of the frame, trying to get the baby’s attention. Xeni chest warmed as she clicked on the photo and let it take up the whole screen. She loved Sloan and she loved Sloan’s family. Seeing them together gave her hope. The hubby, three kids and a house with a pool in Westwood life was not for her, but they were good people who filled their house with love and that gave Xeni hope for humankind.
She minimized the picture, then pulled up her most recent emojis. Just then her phone started to vibrate. The screen went black and Mason’s name scrolled across it.
Xeni stepped into the hallway and hit ACCEPT. “Hey. I’m picking up the license right now.”
“Excellent. We’ve run into a small snag. I just spoke to Mrs. Pummel and the Reverend left this morning to officiate a wedding in Vermont. He won’t be back until Monday.”
“Crap. Do you know anyone else?”
“Not really a churchgoing man, but I’ll put the feelers out.”
“I’ll call Bess. She might know someone.”
“Okay, you do that.”
“Thanks for giving Liz my number. We had a great time.”
“That’s good to hear. I didn’t want you to have to go it alone.”
Xeni’s cheeks started to warm out of nowhere, but she ignored it. It wasn’t important. “I appreciate that.”
“Erm, do you maybe want to come by the farm for dinner tonight? No reason for you to be alone at Ms. Sable’s house.”
“Thanks for the invite, but I have to find something for my mom and I kinda want to see if I can do it tonight so I don’t have to think about it tomorrow. It’ll be our wedding day after all. Wanna get this off my plate so I can focus on you and that dreamy accent all day long.” Xeni smacked herself in the forehead as soon as the words left her mouth. THIS. WAS WHY. SHE DIDN’T. TALK! TO MEN!
“Oh, it’s dreamy is it?”
“Hey, look at the time. I gotta go.”
Xeni squeezed her eyes closed at the sound of his rumbling laugh. His laugh was kind of dreamy too.
“You secure the license and I’ll see what can be done about a pastor. Worst case scenario, I’ll have my cousin ordained over the internet.”
“Deal. I’ll be in touch.”
They said their goodbyes and a few minutes later, Xeni had their marriage license in hand.
“Give us a call if you have any questions,” Deborah said.
“I actually do. I know this town is small, but Reverend Pummel can’t be the only man of the cloth around. We need someone to perform the ceremony tomorrow. Do you know anyone who might be available on such short notice?” Xeni knew the answer would be no. Twenty-fours just wasn’t enough time. Maybe an online certification was the way to go.
“I’ll do it,” Deborah said, all dry and casual like.
