Calling Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Modern Conveniences Book 2) (12 page)

“It’s settled.” Madison laid her phone on the kitchen counter and turned to Archer, who was making them sandwiches for lunch. “I can break the lease on my house and if I can find a renter to take over, I won’t have to pay another month’s rent. I just got off the phone with the new family from church that Anna told me about and they want it. They were on a month-to-month lease at a small apartment until they found a house.”

“That’s great.” Archer topped the ham with a slice of provolone cheese. “No comments from Anna?”

“No, other than that she thinks we should tell Mom and Dad now that we’re married. Surprisingly, she is happy for us despite thinking it was rushed.” She laughed. “Proof of just how much you’ve won her over.”

“She didn’t seem so happy when we told her Monday.” Archer topped the sandwiches with mayonnaise and then put the second pieces of bread on.

Madison grabbed the cheese and lunch meat and replaced them in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator. “She was in shock. Anna’s a planner. What we did is beyond the scope of her imagination.”

“Did you explain why we’re waiting?”

“Yes, and I told her we’ll tell them next week after my cousin’s wedding and Gran’s surgery.” She tapped a finger on the counter. “That reminds me—I found out Sean will be there tonight.”

“At your cousin’s wedding?” Only a hint of his distaste for Sean lurked in his eyes.

She nodded. “I didn’t realize he’s friends with the groom.”

“How’d you find out?” Archer opened a bag of sour cream and onion chips before popping one in his mouth. He poured a handful on each plate.

“Teresa, my cousin, didn’t know that Sean and I aren’t on speaking terms and mentioned it yesterday.” She wrinkled her nose. “At least it’s a big wedding, so there’s a good chance we’ll only have to see him from afar.”

“It’s not a big deal if we run into him.” Archer carried the plates to the table and then came to stand in front of her. “I can play nice.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “I know, but I’m not ready to talk to him.” She pulled at his shirt pocket to bring him closer. “No one talks bad about my husband.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but let it go.” He kissed her forehead then winked. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m the one you married. For life. You should feel sorry for him because he’ll never have a wife as great as mine.”

How she loved this man. His sense of humor, forgiving spirit and for so many other reasons. “I love you.”

“And I love you, but if we’re going to finish moving you in here permanently before tonight, we better eat and get going again.”

She let go of him and took a seat at the table by one of the plates. “I hate when you’re right.”

He released a loud chuckle. “Don’t worry, it won’t happen that often.”

“Any word from your parents?”

“They’ll be back Monday.” He rolled his eyes. “They’d planned to come tomorrow, but they found another exhibit they just had to see.”

“There’s a bright side to that.” Her mouth turned to a slow smile. “We have an extra day alone.”

“Well, I certainly can’t be upset about that.”

They ate quickly in order to resume packing her house. Each day they’d worked a few hours in the evening, and because she didn’t have a lot, they were almost done.

They arrived shortly after two for the final collection of her goods. Finishing the packing didn’t take long.

Scanning the house, she felt little remorse at leaving, which surprised her since she’d loved the place. “I will miss this kitchen and dining room.”

“What did you say?” Archer came in from the living room.

She hadn’t realized she’d spoken out loud. She waved a hand in a wide gesture around the two rooms. “I’ll miss this.” 

“You can redo our kitchen like it if you wanted.”

“Thanks, but I love your kitchen.” She shuddered. “Besides, the thought of tackling a project like that sounds like torture.”

He arched a brow. “You didn’t do this?”

“No. That is beyond my skill level.”

“It fits you so well, I never even questioned it.”

“It’s one of the reasons, right behind the great deal I got, that I took the house.” She looped an arm through his. “But this is your fair warning. You’re on your own for all those remodels and upgrades you mentioned. Otherwise, you’ll probably end up paying a contractor more to fix whatever damage I caused.”

“I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

She pinched her lips, holding in a laugh. “Did you see that hole in the wall downstairs?”

“Right outside the garage?”

“Yes. That was from me trying to anchor a screw in drywall.”

His eyes lit with humor. “How did you get a hole…? Never mind. I don’t need to know.”

“After that, I only hung frames light enough to be held with a simple nail.”

“All right. I’ll keep that in mind.” He looked at her with a somber face. “I have a confession.”

What could it possibly be to cause the long face? “Yes?”

He broke out in a roguish grin. “I snuck a peek at several of your paintings when we packed them yesterday.”

Relief crashed over her and she swatted his arm. “You’re in so much trouble. For a second, you had me nervous.”

“They’re really good. I think we should hang some in the house.”

His praise redeemed him.

“Maybe.” The alarm sounded on her phone. “Two-hour warning. We still have to unload everything when we get home and then get ready.”

“Let’s go.” 

***

Weddings never made her weepy, but as Teresa and her new husband, William, walked down the aisle, Madison dabbed a tissue to her eyes. 

The ceremony took place in an eighteenth-century mansion, and the lights were made to replicate antique lanterns and projected a similar soft glow. Teresa wore a gown of antique Spanish lace, which added to the romanticism.

Another round of tears sprung when Teresa and William passed. The happiness radiating from their faces spoke of an everlasting love.

A phenomenon she understood, now that she had found Archer. She hoped people saw that same joy when she looked at him. She loved him more than she thought possible to love someone, especially in such a short time.

Archer squeezed her hand, and a single glance from him told her his thoughts were similar. Their path to ‘forever after’ wasn’t traditional, but it didn’t make their love any less meaningful. What mattered was that they had committed, before God, to love each other for the rest of their lives.

The bride and groom exited the building, followed by the wedding party and immediate family members. 

When it was their aisle’s turn to leave, Archer escorted her out with her hand on his elbow. They made their way through the receiving line, offering congratulations to the newlyweds. Per the wedding planner’s instructions, they went back inside while wedding photos were taken.

A thirty-something woman directed them through the mansion, past the grand staircase and to the vast backyard where the reception would be held. White pillar candles in clear glass hurricanes lined a cobblestone path to a garden area, squared off by expertly manicured hedges.  Among the colorful array of flowers, were over fifty round tables, each one set to sit eight guests. In the center, a dance floor had been set up.

In awe, Madison tried not to gawk. She’d attended many weddings in her life, but none with this level of sophisticated beauty. Everywhere she looked, there was timeless romance, from the string quartet in the front right corner, to the white lights strung from end to end, side to side. Wisps of baby’s breath and white roses created simplistic centerpieces that complemented the natural colors of the venue’s garden.

They circled the tables until they found one with their names on the place cards. Archer pulled out her chair.

“Thank you.” 

“Would you like a drink?” He inclined his head in the direction of the bar set up in a rear corner.

“Diet cola if they have any. Water if not.”

“I’ll be right back.”

While he was gone, Anna and Paul joined them, followed soon after by their parents. 

“Where’s Archer?” Paul asked.

“Getting drinks.”

A member of the catering staff approached their table with a tray of hors d'oeuvres. 

Madison chose two and picked another three for Archer. 

Her father and Paul left to get a drink for them and their wives. Compared to the last several events, her parents were getting along much better.

Mom moved to the chair between Anna and Madison. “While it’s just us girls, I want to share something with you.”

She caught Anna’s questioning stare, and she sent back a discreet shrug to say “I don’t know.” It couldn’t be a divorce announcement, could it? Who did that at a wedding? But if her parents perceived a light at the end of the tunnel that could account for the affability between them. Her stomach tightened. She hated the constant fighting, but the “D” word?

“First, I’m sorry for all that your father and I have put both of you through all these years. We fell into a pattern of arguing and didn’t realize how bad it had become.” A bittersweet smile revealed frown lines from years of turmoil. “Two weeks ago, we entered marriage counseling. There’s a long road ahead of us, but I feel great about the progress we’ve already made.”

“That’s wonderful.” Madison leaned over to hug her.

“I’m so happy for you and Dad.” Anna joined the hug. “We’re all here for you and will pray for you.”

“Thank you.” A blush rose on her mom’s neck. “He even made us reservations for a weekend away next month at a bed and breakfast.”

“Wow.” Her jaw dropped. “Dad really is making an effort to change.”

“He’s not the only one. I have to own my faults as well.”

The men returned, and Madison’s mom moved back to the other side of the table.

Archer handed her a diet cola and had a regular cola for himself. Just as the men sat down, a member of the catering staff asked if she could get them anything to drink.

“We’re all set for now, but thank you,” Archer told her.

Paul laughed when she left. “What timing.”

Madison kept an eye out for Sean. She hadn’t seen him during the ceremony, but they’d been seated near the front so they had missed the arrival of most guests. Had he moved to New York yet? A small part of her hoped not. As upset as she was with him, she hated the idea of him leaving Maryville without resolving things between them,

Their relationship would have changed regardless because she was married now, but they had too much of a history as friends to throw it away. Archer came first, she had no qualms about that, and even if she and Sean never came back to a friendship, she didn’t want any lingering animosity between them.

“Have you seen Sean?” she whispered to Archer.

“No, but there are a lot of people here. It wouldn’t be hard to miss him in the crowd.”

Her thoughts shifted, putting Sean out of her mind.

The bride and groom made their entrance, introduced as Mr. and Mrs. William Trent. There were toasts to the newlyweds, followed by a meal of Chilean sea bass and pecan crusted chicken as the choice of entrees, and then more toasts.

As night fell, the couple had their first dance before the floor was opened to the guests.

Mom and Dad left the table first, followed by Paul and Anna.

Archer rose to his feet, extending a hand. “May I have this dance?”

“Always.” She stood and walked with him to the dance floor, hand in hand.

His arms wrapped around her waist, and she draped her arms over his shoulders, clasping her hands behind his neck. They swayed to the music, caught up in love.

The words to “At Last” drifted their way, from where a woman sang with the band.

“Do you remember that night at Centennial Park?” Archer pulled her closer.

“Yes. This song played then, and I regretted that our date was only pretend.” She gazed up at him, lost in the depths of his eyes.

“Not anymore,” he whispered, his voice low and husky.

They danced until the band took a break. Recorded music played, but she and Archer used that opportunity to rest. Returning to the table, they saw that it was empty. They sat down and promptly had their drinks refilled.

A shadowed darkened their table, and Sean appeared.

“Hi,” he greeted them with an uncertain smile.

“Hi.”

Archer slid an arm around her shoulder, nodded an acknowledgment to him.

“Nice wedding, isn’t it?” The lack of confidence in his voice was unlike him.

“Yes.” Madison scanned the area to see if he was alone. “Is Laurena here?”

“No. She, um, couldn’t make it.”

“Sorry to hear.”

“Could I talk to you for a few minutes?” He addressed her then turned to Archer. “If you don’t mind me borrowing her for a bit?”

Madison looked to Archer. She wanted the issues between her and Sean resolved, but not at the expense of her husband. If he didn’t want her to go, she’d respect his wishes.