Chapter Sixteen
“We really appreciate you coming a little early on such short notice.”Amy couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
“It was no trouble at all.Do we have witnesses?”the minister asked.
A small twinge of regret tugged at Amy’s heart for not having her parents or brother at her side, but none of them would approve of such a whirlwind romance, never mind a marriage.At the license bureau, when the clerk had called for the next couple in line, she and Ray had stared at each other for all of two seconds, and she knew by the huge grin on his face that they both had thought the same thing.Holding hands, they’d stepped up to the window at the same moment as Courtney and Drew, who, relieved to have gotten their paperwork finished in time, had spun around and left the room, never noticing what Ray and Amy had done.
Ray didn’t answer the minister.He’d suggested they invite their siblings to participate, but was happy with whatever Amy had wanted.Even now he was still leaving the choice up to her.
She’d never been more sure of any decision in her life.Everything she’d ever done—up to this point—had been what was expected of her.Marrying Ray was whatshedesperately wanted.“No witnesses.”
“Very well.”The minister opened a small booklet and faced them.“If you will please take hold of each other’s hands.”
“Yo,” Drew called at the same time Doug yelled, “What the blazes is going on here?”
Amy had gone from having no witnesses to a blasted platoon.At least a dozen people marched in their direction, her brother leading the charge.
“Busted,” Ray whispered against her ear, then tucked her into his side.“You’re all just in time.”
Spitting fire, Doug’s gaze zeroed in on Ray.Doug didn’t slow his pace until he was standing nearly toe to toe in front of Ray.“In time for what?”
The two men in Amy’s life faced off.“Your sister is doing me the honor—the very proud honor—of becoming my wife.”
Doug’s narrow gaze flew open wide and shifted to his sister.“Is this true?”
The last thing she wanted to do was disappoint her newly found big brother, but that didn’t change anything.“Yes.If you’re willing to stand by my decision, please stay.But if you think you can talk me out of marrying Ray, then you can just turn right around and go back to the hotel.”
Doug glared at Ray for so long that Amy was almost afraid he was going to haul off and slug him.Then she realized Doug wasn’t angry, at least not anymore.They were doing that male-mental-telepathy communication thing.
Emily and Tish hurried over to the two men.Emily merely took her fiancé’s side, her fingers gently folding around the curve of his elbow.Not in an effort to control but in a show of support.
Amy really was so happy Doug had found her.
Tish, on the other hand, looked like she was ready to breathe fire.“Do not say you were getting married and not telling me.”
“Okay.I won’t.”Ray flashed an impish grin that hinted at years of sibling bantering.
“Raymond Allan Varner!Have you lost your ever-loving mind?Is this your idea of planning ahead?”
“Yes, it is.”This time Ray lost the teasing grin.“Mom and Pop don’t need me hanging around underfoot.Amy and I will fly home so she can meet the folks and I can pack up more than one week’s worth of clothes.When we return to San Francisco, I will apply to all the nearby universities with masters programs in education.I want to teach and coach.”He paused to look at Emily and smile.She returned his grin and added a nod of approval.
“Amy and I spent all last night talking,” Ray continued.“About my plans, her plans, our pasts, and our future.By this morning we knew where we were headed.This afternoon when we accidentally wound up in front of the licensing agent—”
“How do youaccidentallyget a marriage license?”Tish interrupted.
“Long story for another day,” Ray continued.“The point is, we knew there was no reason to wait.Everything in our plans would be better done together.”
“You have lost your mind.”Tish shook her head.
Ray looked pointedly at his sister, throwing out the sameWhen Harry Met Sallyquote she’d tossed at him a few days ago.“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
“I know this all seems rather fast,” Amy added.“It’s hard to understand how two people can fall in love in four days.I’m not even sure either of us understands it—”
“I do.”Doug turned to Emily, kissed her lightly on the nose, and then stepped up to his sister, taking a hand in each of his.“I understand.When it’s right, it’s right.If you are absolutely sure this is what you want, then I know sixteen ways, with my bare hands, to kill anyone who gets in your way.”
Amy threw her arms around her big brother’s neck.“I love you, Doggie.”
“I love you too.”Doug shifted and, without saying a word, stuck his hand out to Ray.All Ray did was nod.Amy couldn’t know for sure, but, she’d guess, somewhere in that silence was the threat of torture if Ray hurt her in any way.
