The Newcomer (Thunder Point #2)(98)

“How did you know to do that?” he asked.

“I asked,” she answered with a laugh. “I asked Gina what she’d like me to wear, and if she’d planned for flowers or a wedding cake or anything like that. She said she was keeping it very simple, that her mother wanted to have a party sometime this summer and if she didn’t get to make the cake, she’d be crushed, so flowers it is.” She gave a sigh. “She said as boring and unromantic as it sounded, they had so much to do with their hard-earned money—educations for one thing—and they didn’t want to splurge on a big wedding. She said getting out of town for a weekend was definitely going to be romantic and not boring!”

“We should do that sometime,” he said while driving.

“We should,” she said quietly.

They stopped off for flowers, took two lovely bouquets to a small chapel near the waterfront and found an excited and thrilled bride and groom. Gina was astonished by the gorgeous flowers. Sarah pinned a simple rose on Mac’s lapel, and then one for Cooper. And Cooper was so proud of her for her thoughtfulness and generosity. He’d gotten them a gift to give them later, which he hoped they would like.

When the bride and groom stood before the minister, Cooper whispered, “We could do this, you know.”

With a heavy sigh that was filled with disappointment, she said, “I wish.”

“It would be a game changer.”

“I know,” she said softly.

Before anything more could be said, the vows began. It was the simple, straightforward pledge—for better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness or health, forever and ever. A very short, balding minister who wore glasses and a robe stood before them at the front of the pretty little chapel; his voice was soft and caressing, but Mac’s voice was strong and firm, Gina’s voice was tinged with emotional tears. Sarah cried and smiled at the same time, and in seven minutes the vows were pledged, the kissing done, the certificate of marriage signed by everyone and a half-dozen pictures were taken by the minister’s oldest son. Cooper and Sarah took photos on their cell phones, then immediately texted them to Lou and Carrie. Ten minutes later they were entering a nice waterfront restaurant where Mac had reserved a table with a view.

Before even sitting down Cooper excused himself for a moment. He saw the maître d’ and ordered a bottle of champagne. He hadn’t been seated long when it arrived to the surprise of the new husband and wife. When the cork had been popped and the flutes filled, he lifted his glass and said, “Here’s to a wedding in which the kiss lasted longer than the vows!”

Mac leaned against Gina and said, “Hear, hear!”

Gina said, “And look at us—at a restaurant that’s not Cliffhanger’s.”

“And if Mac doesn’t mind, I’ll order for myself tonight,” Cooper said. “He’s pretty fond of telling people what to eat.”

“This is the pot speaking of the kettle,” Sarah pointed out.

“So where are Mr. and Mrs. McCain knocking boots tonight?” Cooper asked, getting an elbow in the ribs from Sarah.

“Joe has a lake cabin,” Mac told them. “There are plenty of really nice hotels around here, even some bridal suites, but the cabin is just perfect—we’ve been there before. It’s isolated, comfortable, there’s a boat to take out on the lake. Gina packed a cooler with some of Carrie’s best dishes and sandwiches premade, plus some breakfast groceries. I made the beverage run and confirmed that the cell phones don’t work up there. There’s a landline for emergencies, but we’ll be alone, which is the main thing. It’s an hour away, but well worth the drive. We promised to be back by six Sunday night. We’ll stop by Carrie’s for dinner with Ash and Carrie, then on to my house—Gina’s new home.”

“We hope,” Gina said. “A lot of people are facing change with this marriage—the kids, my mom, Mac’s aunt. They all say they want this, but we’re hoping the adjustments won’t be too confusing or disruptive.”

“Gina will have the biggest adjustment to make,” Mac said. “Her house has been like a convent—not a lot of noise or traffic. My house is the bigger house, but it’s filled with kids and dogs and... Well, there’s Aunt Lou, who is very protective of what little space she gets. She’s threatening to get her own place, or move in with Joe, who is staying there with her this weekend. Whatever she does, she won’t be far away. My kids are her kids. She’s raised Ryan and Dee Dee since before they were potty-trained.”

“As far as I’m concerned, my mom and Aunt Lou have made all things possible,” Gina said. “I don’t know how either of us would have raised our kids without them. You, Sarah, doing it on your own as you have...my hat’s off to you.”

Cooper put an arm around her, giving her a squeeze. “She doesn’t give herself enough credit. She’s amazing.”

Cooper noticed that she looked down, nodded and murmured something about Landon being a wonderful kid. In spite of the happy occasion there seemed to be a sadness about Sarah and he began to imagine she was hiding even more dire problems Maybe she was sick. Terminal! There was something terrible going on to cause her to withdraw like this.

After dinner, Cooper and Sarah walked the happy couple to Mac’s truck, bid them farewell and wished them a great weekend. After they had gone all Sarah said was, “It was so lovely. So lovely.”