AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sophie had known Rosie for as long as she could remember. In addition to being one of her aunt’s dearest friends, the older woman was a mainstay at church and in the community and was too vibrant to have not stood out even in Sophie’s earliest memories. Only following the death of her late husband did Sophie ever recall Rosie losing some of her sparkle. Rosie’s sparkle wasn’t flashing now, though.
“What’s wrong? Why don’t you want to set a date with Lou?”
Rosie arched a painted-on brow and attempted to wave off Sophie’s concern. “Not that I blame the old coot for wanting to rush me down the aisle, but maybe I’m not in a rush to give up my single life.”
Sophie leaned against her cutting table and eyed her friend. “Is that it? You’d rather be single than become Lou’s wife?”
Rosie hesitated just long enough that Sophie had her answer regardless of what words were spoken.
“I’m wearing his ring. That should be enough.”
“Most people believe wearing an engagement ring indicates a commitment to end up with a wedding,” Sophie reminded.
“So you think I’m being ridiculous, too?”
Too? Sophie’s eyes widened. “Who said you were being ridiculous? Maybelle? You know she doesn’t mean the things she says to you.”
“It’s not Maybelle. I know that old biddy is just jealous of me being more than a decade younger than her and,” Rosie fluffed what little of her hair stuck out from beneath her hat, “always finer.”
Sophie smothered a smile at the comment that Rosie would just as readily have said in front of Maybelle as not. Too bad Maybelle wasn’t there to come right back at her with a return jab. The two women were a hoot when you put them together.
Only, it wasn’t her friendly rivalry with Maybelle bothering Rosie. It was Lou.
Sophie’s heart gave a squeeze. She adored the big-hearted diner owner. “Is something wrong with Lou?”
“Just that he thinks he’s in love with a foolish old bat like me.”
It was unusual to hear Rosie say anything that wasn’t flattering of herself, so Sophie was stunned by her friend’s comment.
“I’d say that it’s a good thing that he loves you.” Sophie placed her hand over Rosie’s. “I’ve seen you two sitting in church together, so I know how Lou lights up when you look at him, and how he always makes a big deal of opening doors for you and holding your hand.”
Sophie had felt a pinch of jealousy a time or two at how the older man doted on Rosie. Rosie kept him on his toes, for sure, but the diner owner was happier than Sophie had ever seen him now that the two of them were together.
“Lou is a lucky man to have you, Rosie.”
They were lucky to have each other. Not that Sophie wanted…she stopped the thought because maybe she did want what Rosie had with Lou. Maybe she wanted it a lot. With Cole.
When Rosie’s eyes lifted to Sophie, they were watery, and that was something Sophie had rarely seen.
“Only, he’s not a lucky man,” Rosie deflated with a long sigh. “He wants to get married and says if I don’t hurry up and set a date, he’s going to take my ring back and ask that Alberta Jennings to marry him instead.”
What? Lou wasn’t in love with Alberta. Why would he even threaten such an absurd thing?
Rosie crinkled her nose. “Can you imagine him replacing me with her? Why, that would be like having vanilla pudding after being privy to the finest restaurant’s prized tiramisu.” Sophie suppressed another smile. “Or more like bland stale bread after sampling some of my grandmother’s cinnamon bread,” Rosie said with a burst of fire. Apparently, even mentioning Alberta’s name had riled her up.
Sophie nodded in agreement. “Absolutely.”
“I just don’t see what the big rush is.”
“Lou has wanted to marry you for a long time,” Sophie reminded, thinking perhaps there was more going on than met the eye. Why else would Lou threaten Rosie with Alberta? “Remember that romantic carriage ride he took you on and then popped the question? And the dozen or so times he proposed after that before you said yes?”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
Sophie nodded. “That was almost a year ago, Rosie. Lou isn’t wrong to want the wedding to take place, or to at least have a date set, after all this time. Many would say he’s been quite patient in waiting on you.”
“I suppose so, but we have our whole lives.” Rosie wrung her bejeweled hands. “What’s the problem with waiting a little longer?”
Sophie imagined that when she met the man of her dreams that she’d want to be with him as much as possible and would barely be able to wait to walk down the aisle to be his forever. Just as Sarah felt about walking down the aisle to Bodie. Shouldn’t Rosie feel the same excited anticipation?
