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“It is,” I said quickly.
“Then maybe she should have a few more sessions with Dr. Ryan,” she added. “She’s still avoiding socializing.”
I felt the blood rise up my neck and into my cheeks. “I have to go to therapy because I don’t want my wedding to become a social-political event like yours?”
“Semantha!” Daddy shouted. “That’s an inappropriate thing to say.”
I looked at Ethan, who was looking down, and then I rose and left the dining room.
“Good,” Cassie said, and led me out of the house.
I was halfway to the pool before I heard Ethan call to me. He ran to catch up.
“Hey, hold up,” he said, taking my right arm at the elbow. “Why did you get so upset?”
“You’re kidding. Why did I get so upset?”
He shook his head.
“Lucille basically just said that if I don’t want a big wedding, I need mental help, and you wonder why I got so upset?”
He nodded and walked along slowly. “It’s just how she thinks. She can’t imagine any young woman not wanting a big wedding with all the trimmings.”
“I’m not Lucille, and just because she can’t imagine it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with me, does it?”
“Of course not. Your father wouldn’t send you to a therapist for that. He just told her so in no uncertain terms after you left.”
I paused. “Did he?”
“Yes. He feels terrible. I could see. He told me to tell you that he didn’t mean to cause us any concern, and if you want to have a small family event, fine.”
“Well, why didn’t he say so at the table?”
Ethan shrugged. “I imagine, like any parent, he was worried you weren’t thinking it out fully, but he doesn’t want to see you upset. He’s very happy with how things have been going.”
“I wish he’d tell me that sometimes.”
“I’m sure he will. Right now, he thinks you have eyes and ears for no one else but me. Probably because that’s the way he is with Lucille. He thinks we’re just as much in l
ove. Well, I have news for him.”
“What?”
“We’re more in love.” He turned me to him. “Right?”
“I hope so,” I said.
“I know so,” he replied, and kissed me. I saw Cassie standing behind him, shaking her head. “Anyway,” he continued, walking me along, “under the circumstances, with our wedding being a small family affair, I suggest we get married within a month. Lucille just admitted that because it’s such an intimate affair, the preparation time wouldn’t be that long. They went off to check on some dates for us. We can have invitations out in a few days. Gerad will prepare a wonderful wedding dinner, and Lucille thinks Mia and Catherine can handle our small reception.” He emphasized “small.”
“It will have more meaning for us, Ethan, if we just have the people we love and who love us.”
“I understand. I’m not upset, and now, neither are they. There’ll be plenty of time afterward for elaborate social events at Heaven-stone.”
His understanding tone helped me calm down. I rested my head against his shoulder.
“You are more sensible than I am.”
“I’m here for you. That’s what matters the most.” He kissed me on the forehead, and we settled on a chaise longue. I didn’t see Cassie, but I felt certain she wasn’t far away. She was probably very disappointed, having expected my leaving the dinner table to be the beginning of some big fight with Lucille.
