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“They’re nice, but I don’t want to wait too long for us to get married,” Brad gushes on. “I know I want you to be mine forever, and don’t want to wait longer than necessary to make you Mrs. Coventry.”
“Isn’t that sweet?” Mom whispers to Dad.
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “I can’t wait to be married to you either.” I glance at my parents. “Do you think the church will be available the weekend after my graduation?”
Dad chuckles. “I think we can make that happen.”
“Looks like we have a wedding date.” I turn to Brad who is grinning from ear to ear.
“I need to get you home. It’s getting late.” Brad puts his hand out to shake Dad’s and then kisses Mom’s cheek. “We’ll see you both Sunday morning.”
Sunday morning comes before I know it. I spent all day Saturday walking around in a daze, still disbelieving that I’m engaged and getting married in May. It feels rushed, but I’m happy.
I really am.
It has to be normal to be nervous when things happen so quickly, right? I love Brad, and he loves me, so I don’t understand why I’m so nervous.
Get a grip, Violet. You’re not the first bride with cold feet and won’t be the last.
My dad’s booming voice knocks me back to the present. “Before we end today’s sermon, I have some exciting news I want to share with all of you.”
Oh God, please no. No, no, no. He can’t, he wouldn't.
“I’m going to ask my lovely wife and daughter to join me up here.” My dad’s eyes find us right away since we’re in the same seats we’re always in. “Brad, would you accompany them?”
I can feel the entire congregation’s eyes on my back as we get up and walk toward the side of the stage. Brad grips my elbow to guide me up the steps and leads me to my dad’s side. As we wait for him to continue, sweat drips down my back, and I don’t know if it’s from my nerves or the heat of the lights.
It takes all my effort to hold my head up and not look down at my hands. I can’t believe Dad called us up here. He knows how much I hate being on camera. Mom steps to his other side and is beaming from ear to ear. Brad remains a few feet behind us all.
“Brad, come closer.”
My dad beckons Brad to stand right next to him. I shuffle over a little so Brad is next to the podium.
I clasp my hands behind my back, pinching myself repeatedly to keep from running off the stage. The smile on my face is a stark contrast to the internal screaming I’m doing at my dad.
Dad gently slaps Brad on the back. “As many of you know, Brad and my daughter have been dating these past few months. Well, on Friday evening, Brad proposed, and Violet accepted.”
Cheers erupt throughout the church, and Brad reaches out his hand. I hesitate for a moment before I take it, wondering if I can still make a break for it, and Brad’s head swivels toward me. He’s smiling, but it doesn’t reach his eyes like it normally does. I squeeze his hand reassuringly, and his mouth lifts more.
After the noise dies down, I spin on my heel to head off the stage, but I’m tugged back into Brad’s side.
“He’s not done,” he whispers so only I can hear him.
“Violet and Brad’s wedding will be televised live on May twenty-seventh, and you are all invited,” Dad booms over the microphone.
I will the ground to open up and swallow me whole, but it doesn’t. I keep the smile plastered on my face, all the while wishing I was anywhere but here.
I can’t believe Dad did this without asking me.
“I’m also announcing my retirement, effective June first.” Dad’s voice cracks with emotion before he clears his throat and continues. “Brad Coventry will be shadowing me until then, and he’ll be ready to take on the duties as head pastor when I step down.”
Wait… what??
CHAPTER4
GRIM
“Last night was brutal.”
