Page 90 of The Emma Special

Good. She was doing this for them. If she didn’t, they would give everything they had to take care of her.

Then the judge was looking at her. What had she missed? James was facing toward her now. Time for the vows. Oh! Right. She dug in her wonderfully deep pockets for the vows she’d scribbled down last night. She’d mostly memorized them but needed a few cues.

James started speaking, glancing between her and an index card in his palm. “Emma Lynn Glass, I promise to provide and care for all of your needs, to remain by your side through sickness and health, to be someone you can depend on, to be honest, loyal, faithful, and true, all the days of my life. I promise to comfort you when you are sad, provide safety when you are afraid, and be your friend forever until death parts us.”

Her smile lifted naturally. He looked right at her, and she believed him, every word. Nothing had changed about him. He was her friend.

Except her pesky feelings were trying to join the party. It was like the lid had fallen off the pepper shaker, spilling too much spice onto a plate of food.

No. Not spice. There wasn’t any spice. At least not yet.

Oh, fiddlesticks. Now she was thinking about James and spice.

It was her line next. The words on her card felt wholly insufficient.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She swallowed and tried again. “James Lincoln Moore,” she said, her voice coming out surprisingly strong. “I promise to eat, without complaining, any type of ice cream you bring home, to only paint one room of our house pink, and to never open a pouch of confetti in your car ever again.” She paused for quiet laughter from the audience—err, her friends.

Then, with every ounce of courage she possessed, she looked into James’s calm face, and recited the rest of her soliloquy. “I promise to remain with you through sickness and health, to honor you and always be loyal, to bring you joy after trial, encouragement when you lack confidence, kindness when you are tired, to be your confidant, playmate, friend, and plus-one forever until I die.”

There. She’d made it through without choking. Even if it felt like a rehearsed performance, she meant every word.

They each echoed the judge’s words as they exchanged rings that had materialized from Daniel’s pocket. And then she blinked at the older man’s words. “You may kiss the bride.”

The bride. That was her.

James leaned forward but hesitated. Oh my girdle, this was one of those times when she needed him to be the strong one because she did not have the strength to go in for the kiss. She nodded reassuringly, and he stepped closer, tilting his head down to her level.

“You okay?” he whispered.

“Peachy.” It was only the single most important kiss of her life. No biggie.

James pressed his lips to hers in a soft, closed-lip kiss. She didn’t have a chance to catch her breath before he was pulling away. It left her leaning forward for more while their friends whistled, clapped, and cheered.

James’s gaze caught hers for a brief moment before Daniel barreled into him.

Was that it? Were they married?

Should she feel something? She was somebody’s wife now—a whole new person.

Her friends rushed her. Daniel clapped her once on the back then picked up James in a massive bear hug.

A pen was in her hand, and she signed her name where the judge pointed.

Katie and Daniel signed as witnesses and the laughing and chatting pummeled her like waves.

Jim shook her hand with a curt, “Welcome to the family.”

Sharon pulled her into a close embrace. “We’re going to run ahead to the reception. You two take some time here and meet us at the church in a little while, okay? There’s a limo waiting out front when you’re ready.”

Emma’s cheeks began to ache from the smile she held in place.

She was married.

Emma Lynn Moore. Mrs. Moore.

She startled at James’s hand on her shoulder.

“Did you want the crutch, or may I carry you to the car, Mrs. Moore?” He held the gray metal contraption in one hand.