Page 21 of Still Afraid

“I don’t know. I wanted a church wedding.”

He set down his sandwich and took her hand in his. “I understand, and I want this day to be perfect in your eyes—”

“The venue isn’t that important.”

He almost laughed at her monotone, which sounded like it should be paired with an eye roll, but he resisted. “You and me, married before God and family. That’s all that matters.”

She nodded but stared at the ground.

He waited.

And waited.

She took in a deep breath and released it in a resigned sigh. “My dad did say we could have it at the farm if we wanted.”

There it was.

“Can you envision it?”

She sat back and looked up at a sky painted with wispy white clouds. “Maybe.”

The longer she stared out into the distance, the more peace washed over her face. Even a smile laid claim to her perfect lips.

“Hmm, maybe I can. You think it’ll be all right?”

“Of course. You know what I think.”

“Such a guy.”

“You wouldn’t want me any other way.”

She shook her head while a chuckle quaked her shoulders.

“It’s settled then. We’ll have our wedding at your family’s farm. I’m certain the horses will appreciate being included.”

She swatted his arm, then finally, she picked up her sandwich and ate the whole thing.

The rest of the afternoon could now be spent making phone calls and shifting the plans around. This wedding was going to happen one way or another.

Chapter Six

Chloe closed her wedding planning binder. They’d done it. Everything was now arranged for their wedding in two weeks. The caterer was sympathetic and more than willing to switch locations. Same with the pastor and photographer. The only one who gave them a little grief was the florist, but she was probably simply having a bad day.

Josh leaned back where he sat in the center of the couch and closed his eyes as if he’d run a marathon.

She turned to face him and patted his abdomen. “Oh come on, old man. Wedding plans too much for you?”

He opened one eye. “What’d you call me?”

“You heard me.” A giggle escaped.

He grabbed her and tickled her ribs. She squealed. He tugged her across his lap and laid her back on the couch and leaned in close. “Watch yourself. I thought you said our age gap didn’t bother you.”

“It doesn’t. It just gives me teasing fodder.”

He tickled again, making her squirm beneath him. Tickling him back was pointless, but she had the defense.

She ran her hand up to his face then around to the back of his neck. She pulled his face close and planted her lips against his.