Adams Grove 03-Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes (33 page)

Connor sat in Jacob’s Diner with Carolanne and Scott. “You told me you had one piece of evidence that you’d withheld from any records that would help you confirm that you had the real murderer?” Connor asked.

Scott smiled. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

“Once I started looking into Anita’s past, the two husbands that she’d outlived had both been rather wealthy up until the time Anita met them.”

“She seemed so nice,” Carolanne said. “It’s hard to believe we’re talking about the same person.”

“I guess that’s why she was staying under the radar,” Connor said. “Mac said that he thought she was just a very private person.”

Scott took a sip of his sweet tea. “It’d be nice if there were a device that would let us know when people were being sincere. That Anita put on one good act for Mac. It’s too bad, really. I could tell he was really crazy about her.”

“I’m glad Dad and Mac are cleared, but I’m so sad that Gina ended up in the middle of all that,” Carolanne said. “All she wanted was some answers.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Connor stood on the porch of Carolanne’s new house with a handful of contraband begonias—the peach ones—in one hand and two cups of coffee balanced one on top of the other in the other.

He took in a deep breath, prayed for the right words, then pushed the doorbell with his knuckle. A laugh soothed his nerves when he heard her heavy footsteps coming down the stairs.

Carolanne swung the door open. “I thought that was your car. What are you doing here?” She caught the glimpse of color in his other hand. “Oh no, you’re not stealing flowers again?”

“Pruning. Doing my part to keep Main Street looking nice.”

“You’ve got an answer for everything. Maybe you should be a lawyer.”

Or more than that.
“It’s tradition.”

“It’s a crime,” she said. “And I think you just became a habitual offender.”

He stepped closer, as close as he could without spilling the coffee on her. “Are you going to let me in?”

“No. I don’t think so.” She took the cup on top and smiled. “OK, I guess I can let you in since you brought me presents.”

“Good, because this is serious business.”

Her smile faded. “Oh no? Is something wrong?”

“Very.” He motioned for her to sit down. “You better sit down for this.” He closed the door.

She sat down and hunched forward. “Connor, after all that we’ve been through lately, I don’t think I can go through anything else. Please tell me everyone is alive and well.”

“Calm down. Not that kind of serious. Everyone is fine.”

“Thank goodness.”

He saw the relief wash over her, and he felt a little badly for making her feel that tension, even if only for a moment. She pulled the plastic lid off the coffee cup and blew into it before taking a sip. “OK, so, what’s the problem?”

He patted her leg. “I can’t start my mornings without you.” He shrugged. “I’ve tried. I’ve run. I’ve tried coffee at Mac’s, the diner. I’ve even tried truck-stop coffee. It’s not the same, and it’s too quiet around there without you.”

She turned to face him. “I kind of miss the old routine, too, but we’ll make a new one.”

“I’m glad you said that because that’s exactly what I was thinking.”

“Oh no. I know that look. What did you have in mind?”

“I don’t just miss the routine. Carolanne, I miss you.” He took her warm hands into his own and held them. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Carolanne Baxter. The last thing I’d want to ever do is hurt you, and I know sometimes I bumble around in ways that drive you crazy, but I’d never do anything to make you sad.”

“I believe you, but—”

He put his finger over her lips. “Let me finish.”

She nodded.

“I want you more than anything. Do you know what I’m saying, here?”

Her mouth opened slightly. “Do
you
know what you’re trying to say?”

He nodded. “I love you. I want you in my life. Forever. Your dad and all. The baggage. The grumpy mornings. I’ll even eat your cooking.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. “That’s serious.”

“Well, maybe I can do some of the cooking. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. Pearl was right. We’re a perfect couple.”

“You really think so? Baggage and all?”

“I do.”

He knelt down, and Carolanne sucked in a breath. “What are—?”

“Carolanne Baxter. Will you be my bride?”

She swallowed hard. “If I say yes, you better not break my heart.”

“I won’t. I promise you.” Connor dug into his pocket. “I talked to your dad about my intentions, too. He gave me these to give to you.” He opened his hand. “They were your mom’s.”

“My mother’s wedding rings?” She pulled her hands to her face. “Oh. My. Gosh. How could I say no?”

“I was hoping you couldn’t.” He pulled her hands away from her face and replaced them with a soft kiss on the velvet warmth of her lips. “I’m hoping you won’t.”

Carolanne leaned forward into his arms, and he held her close. He felt his whole future wrapped up in this feisty redhead, and he was eager to see just how much chaos she could bring into their happy lives.

She pulled back, and the serious look on her face scared him.
Please don’t fight me on this.

“Yes. Yes, Connor, I will marry you, but”—she paused—“under one condition.”

“Anything.”

“We have to move quickly and keep it small, else Jill is going to want me to use that big wedding planner binder of hers. I’m just not the big-white-gown kind of girl.”

“Can’t I get a cool cake like Garrett got?”

“Fine. A cake and a cookout at the house to celebrate with friends, but that’s as far as I’ll go.”

“How about in the morning?”

“What in the morning?”

“We can get married tomorrow morning. Why not? You said you didn’t want a big wedding. So, what’s stopping us?”

She seemed to stumble for words. “Your fancy cake?”

Connor pressed a couple of buttons on his phone. “Hey, Derek. It’s Connor Buckham. Yeah, man. I’m good. I need a favor.”

Connor whispered across the room to her. “I love you like crazy.” He loved the way her eyes sparkled when he made her laugh.

He turned his attention back to the phone. “Yeah, Derek, I need one of those fancy groom cakes…by tomorrow night. Can you swing it?”

“Just fifty or so people.” Connor said.

“Fifty! I said small.” Carolanne put her hands on her hips.

“Make that enough for just forty-five people.” Connor put his hand over the speaker. “You and I have a date, baby.”

“Yeah. Yeah, Derek. We’re here. The cake? Uh, yeah. How about in the shape of a coffeepot? Only, I want that coffee decanter to be filled with chocolate. And throw in a crossword puzzle, too. Oh, and I’ve got it. Make the crossword puzzle with four words on it. You writing this down?”

Connor paused. “Yes. The four words are ‘You Were Right’ and ‘Pearl.’”

He nodded as he listened. “Yes, you’ve got it. Can you do it? And plan to stay for the party. It’ll need to be delivered here to Carolanne’s place at Bridle Path Estates by, say, five o’clock. We’re having a celebration.”

Connor tossed his phone on the table next to the couch and pulled her into his arms. “Done.”

“Just like that?” She threw her hands in the air. “We’ll need witnesses.”

“You said small. We’ll do it at the courthouse. We’ll call Jill and Garrett to witness it.”

“And my dad.”

Connor broke out into a wide grin. “Definitely your dad. We’re all set except for the flowers, but I can handle those.”

“Oh no, you don’t. We aren’t going to have a flower left on Main Street if you keep that up. How about we start a new tradition? Alstroemeria—my mom’s favorite.”

“Anything you want. So, we’re all set then.”

“Are you mistaking me for someone spontaneous?”

He pulled her close against him and kissed her on the neck. “There’s no mistake about this. We have a date.”

Acknowledgments

Thank you to my writer girls who, knowingly or otherwise, keep me inspired to keep writing through the emotional journey of making up a story and bringing it to the page and ultimately to the reader. Without y’all—it wouldn’t be nearly as fun.

My Montlake team, Kelli Martin, Krista Stoever, Jessica Poore, and the whole gang over at Montlake Romance, y’all make a girl feel like she can do anything. Thank you for helping me become a better writer and for making my dreams a reality.

As always, for their enthusiasm and support, I thank my family. The emotion and love in my stories is a direct result of the blessings from my loving extended family. And to Hunter, my black Lab, who sits faithfully with me, hour after hour no matter what, through every single draft.

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