“We did?”
“Yes. We’re going to need witnesses, aren’t we?” I ask.
Miles grunts. “I kind of forgot about that part. I’ll probably ask Ainsley to be my best man. That will make it look good to the family too. It’ll add some authenticity.”
“Should I tell Willa?”
“I don’t know. How do you think she’ll take it?”
Good question. “Maybe I’ll feel her out. Should I tell her what we’re doing? Are we making a big deal out of this?”
Miles grunts. “Really, there’s no reason for anyone here to know. It’s not like they ever see my family.”
I sigh at that. That’s a relief. Willa already questions a lot of my life choices. I think me getting married for money might send her over the edge. “Okay. Are two witnesses enough?”
“I think so. I haven’t been married before, so I’m going based on what I’ve learned in the movies.”
“Let’s be prepared with them just in case.”
I pay for my caramel mocha and take the coffee to go. I have an on-farm visit first thing this morning. Preg-checking a hundred cows sounds a lot easier than thinking about my wedding.
At lunch time I finally make the decision to call Willa. I’m going to tell her. She needs to know.
“Hey, I’m so glad you called. I was going to call you and let you know that I’ll be out of town this weekend.”
And I’m calling to let you know that I’m getting married this weekend,I think to myself, but I don’t say it out loud.
“Oh, okay. Well, I was just calling to see if you’re free on Saturday, but I guess not.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I had so much fun having coffee with you, and I was going to see if you wanted to do something this weekend. But now Kingston and I are going to meet with someone in Portland about interior design on the commercial space.”
“Oh, that’s okay. We’ll catch up when you get back.”
“Okay, that sounds great. Thanks, Lucy. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I say back without hesitation.
Willa isnotthe most forthcoming with words of affirmation, so I take it where I can get it.
But with her being out of town this weekend, that leaves me without a maid of honor. And now I have to figure out who my witness will be. Someone who won’t think this is outlandish. Someone who’s done things similar to this.
I need someone who won’t judge me for the choice I’m about to make.
And there’s only one name that comes to mind.
Margaret.
After work, I drive across town and park my car in front of Margaret’s house. As I walk up the sidewalk that’s lined with little round shrubs, I wonder if this is a bad decision. Maybe I should have ruined my sister’s weekend plans and told her I was getting married.
I step onto the concrete porch leading up to the cute, old-style home. I knock on the door and hear some shuffling before it swings open.
Margaret looks at me in surprise. “Lucy, how are you? What are you up to?”
Clearing my throat, I deliberately avoid both questions and jump right into it. “I’ve heard a lot about you from both Willa and Meyer. And if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to move to Green Valley. And because of that, I kind of have a big favor to ask.”
“Oh dear, this sounds like you’d better come in and sit down. I have some cinnamon rolls.”
She’s a woman after my own heart. Baked goods can make any problem seem smaller.
