Blossom Street Brides (Blossom Street #10)(65)
“We were thinking, seeing we know our minds, that we’d like to make it soon.”
“How soon?”
Rooster didn’t figure Lauren’s father would be keen on his answer. “Very soon. Tomorrow.”
The line went silent. “Any particular reason you’re in such an all-fired rush?” Bill Elliott demanded.
“Yes. I love Lauren. I’m thirty-nine, and I’ve been waiting for her my entire life. Having found her, I can’t see any reason to delay what we both want.”
The line went still, as if Lauren’s father wasn’t quite sure what to say. “You ever been in jail?”
“Nope. My record is clean. I had a bit of trouble as a teenager, but that was years ago.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Shoplifting. I learned my lesson, and it wasn’t the law that gave it to me; it was my dad.”
Bill Elliott chuckled. “Ever declared bankruptcy?”
“No. I have a savings account and a retirement investment plan as well.”
“Good.”
“We’d like your blessing and, if possible, for you and Mrs. Elliott to join us for the ceremony.”
“You in Seattle?”
“No, we’re in Vegas.”
This information was followed by a short pause. “You’ll go through with this marriage whether you have our support or not, won’t you?” he demanded.
“Yes,” Rooster admitted, “but I’d much rather have your approval. I’m sincere. I love Lauren, and I will do everything within my power to be a good husband and to make her happy.”
“I have to say you’ve got guts, young man.”
“Your blessing would mean a great deal, sir.”
“By heaven, you’ve got balls. Let me talk to her mother and we’ll get back to you about getting to Vegas within the next twenty-four hours.”
“Then we have your approval?” Rooster asked.
“Yes, you do, but I want it understood there won’t be any wedding until we’ve done a background check on you.”
“Fair enough. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Let me talk to my daughter,” Bill Elliott said.
Rooster gave the phone back to Lauren. She smiled as she took it from him. “Yes, Daddy,” she said. “I love him, too. He’s a good man, and once you meet him you’ll agree with my choice.”
They spoke only a moment longer, and then Lauren returned the phone. “He thinks we’re both a little nuts.”
“Can’t say I blame him.”
Rooster reached for his dinner.
“Mom is calling my sister, and I think the whole family is planning to show.”
“Good.”
“Is there anyone you want to invite?” she asked.
The only real family Rooster had was Max. His parents were both gone, and he was an only child. “Max and Bethanne.”
Lauren nodded and then giggled as she reached for her fork. “My dad is right, we’re both a little nuts, but Rooster, I have to tell you I’ve never been this happy in my life.”
He nearly melted under the strength of her smile. Truth was, he felt the same. It’d been a very long time since he’d been this excited or this content.
Chapter Twenty-four
Bethanne was startled out of a sound sleep by her cellphone. Half sitting up, and leaning on one elbow, she glanced at the digital readout of the bedside clock. She hadn’t been sleeping well for the last several days and, exhausted, had fallen into bed after what had proved to be a troublesome week.
“Hello,” she whispered.
“Bethanne, sweetheart, did I wake you?”
Instantly, she was alert. “Max? Is everything all right?” He wouldn’t be calling if it wasn’t important.
“Yes, it’s wonderful.”
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “It’s after midnight.”
“I know. Sorry to wake you, love, but what I have to tell you is amazing.”
It must be, for him to call this late. “What’s going on?”
“A wedding.”
“A wedding,” she repeated, sitting upright now. “Who’s getting married?”
Max chuckled as though highly amused. “Rooster and Lauren.”
This made no sense whatsoever. “Hold on a minute, I thought Rooster was in New Zealand.”
“So did I. Apparently, he couldn’t bear to be away from Lauren and flew back, surprising everyone. He met up with her at some conference she was attending in Las Vegas.”
“He flew to Las Vegas?” Bethanne was having a hard time taking in what Max was telling her.
“After Rooster arrived the two decided they were in love and they might as well get married.”
Bethanne was shocked. “It’s a bit rushed, isn’t it?”
“That’s what I said, but Rooster isn’t about to change his mind, and from what he said, Lauren feels the same. He asked me to be his best man.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Sunday afternoon. Lauren’s parents and sister are all flying in, and I’m going, too. Can you manage a couple days away? I know it’s not good timing for you.” This was the first weekend in two months that they hadn’t been able to be together. Bethanne knew how busy Max was with Rooster out of the country, and she had her own reasons for begging off. It’d been a dreadful week, and she feared her troubles with Annie would only weigh him down.