“I’ll keep you, too, Ms.McAllister.” And then, to squash any possible ideas the BBs might have of her and Kingston ever being a couple, she added, “Trust me, I’m not getting married anytime soon.”
“That’s what they all say.” Erma winked at her, and she and her friends moved on.
When the wedding party finished with the receiving line, it was time to head to the Maple Falls community center for the reception. Since the center was only a few blocks from the church, everyone took their own car.
Wait...Her car was in the shop.
She saw Kingston head for the door. “Can you give me a ride to the reception?” she asked.
“Sure.”
“Thanks. I just have to get my purse.” She hurried to the third-grade Sunday school room, grabbed her bag from the child-sized semicircle table at the back, and met Kingston at the front of the church.
He held open the door for her. For the second time that day, the oppressive, damp heat almost took her breath away. What she wouldn’t do for crisp fall weather. But cooler temperatures were at least a month and a half away.Horrific heat it is.“I really appreciate this,” she said as they crossed the parking lot. “My car broke down again.”
“That red Mercedes?” Kingston slipped off his suit jacket and loosened his tie. “Nice car.”
“It’s not nice to me,” she grumbled. “When I bought it two years ago, it ran fine. Now it breaks down as soon as I get it out of the shop.”
“Who’s working on it?”
“Rusty.” She dangled the handle of her Paloma from her fingers.
“It’s in good hands, then.” The Audi was already running by the time they reached it. “I’m sure he’ll figure it out,” Kingston said, walking to the driver-side door. The doors automatically unlocked.
“I hope so. I love that car.” Harper got into his vehicle and immediately felt relief. “Ah, air-conditioning. I love you too.”
Kingston pressed the starter, and soon they were on theirway to the community center. “I can’t believe both of my sisters are married,” he said as they turned out of the church lot.
“That means you’re next.”
He chuckled, but it sounded a little strained. “Stop sounding like my mom.” He paused, then said, “Like I told her, I’ll get married when I’m ready.”
Had she hit a nerve? “Okayyy.”
“Sorry.” He grinned, back to his all-American male persona. “Weddings seem to give folks carte blanche to tease the single people. I’ve been to three since June. It’s getting a little old.”
She could totally relate.
The community center came into view, and as he turned into the lot she saw Rusty’s emerald-green pickup truck parked near the back, the wordsRusty’sGaragedisplayed on the passenger-side door. She sure did owe him one. She wasn’t sure how she would pay him back, but she’d figure out something.
“Thanks again for the ride,” she said when they were out of the car.
“Anytime.” Kingston smiled, as if he hadn’t been even a smidge irritated a moment ago.
As they walked inside the hall, the last of Harper’s tension faded away. The community center was almost as old as Maple Falls, and not only did it double as a social venue and gymnasium, it was also an official polling place and used to host the annual Maple Falls talent show, although that had gone by the wayside almost half a century ago. The expansive room was beautifully decorated in Anita’swedding colors, and soft lights shone everywhere, from the peach and teal candles in clear globes flickering on the table centers to the numerous strands of clear white lights draped on the walls.
“Oh, there’s Mom,” Kingston said, gesturing to Karen, who stood by the dessert table in animated conversation with one of the caterers. “Uh-oh. She looks ready to pop off.”
Karen Bedford was legendary for micromanaging and getting her nose out of joint if things didn’t go strictly as planned.
“How can you tell?” Harper asked. “She looks fine to me.”
“That’s the calm before the storm. Better go rescue that guy.”
“Good luck.” She watched as Kingston moved to stand beside his mother. When he lightly placed his hand on her back, Karen’s flailing hands went to her sides. Another crisis averted.
Harper turned around, needing to find the rest of the bridal party before they wondered where she was—only to walk straight into something solid.
