Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch (The Ryan Family #1)(115)

Instant relief washed over Cricket. “Have you seen the Bloom Weekly News? I picked one up off the newsstand on the way in today.” She flipped the newspaper to the society page and pointed. “Who would have thought we’d get our pictures in the paper in the same week?”

“Well, would you look at that.” Anna Grace smiled and read the first few lines of the article out loud: “Anna Grace Cramer of Bloom married Thomas Arrington Bluestone of Sweetwater in a private ceremony on the beach at Padre Island. Bluestone’s brother, Harry, served as best man. Cricket Lawson served as her friend’s bridesmaid…

“I told Mama if she didn’t put it in the paper exactly as I wrote it that she would never see her six grandkids.” Anna Grace laughed. “Besides, by now Lettie and Nadine have already spread the news. Folks just read the paper to be sure those two haven’t lost their touch.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” Cricket smiled and flipped the paper around so she could read: “Cricket Lawson and Bryce Walton have announced their engagement. They plan a December wedding right here in Bloom. Bryce is the owner of the Bloom Drug Store, and Cricket is the proprietor of the Sweet Seconds Book Store in Bloom…”

“One marriage, one engagement. Hopefully, by Christmas next year, there will be two baby announcements,” Anna Grace said.

“One marriage, one engagement, and one very good friendship that started most of it.” Cricket held up her coffee.

Anna Grace took a bottle of sweet tea from her purse and clinked it against Cricket’s cup. “May the friendship last forever!”

“Amen.” Cricket nodded.