Magical Weddings (121 page)

“I’ve been turned down?” Lindy jerked with disappointment but at the moment it was the least of her worries. She bit down on her lip until she tasted blood.

“This town isn’t big enough to support two pet stores. I’m sorry, Lindy, but I don’t think this comes as a big surprise. Gunther can explain things.”

“But he and I…”

“Are both torn up.”

“You mean broken up.”

“I said what I meant. Do you want to know what he said?”

“Probably not.”

“You’re going to hear it anyway.” Clive put a hand on her arm. “He said ‘She broke my heart but there’s no way I’m going to break her spirit. That pet store means everything to her.’”

Hearing those words was too much. Through her tears, she garbled, “I have to go.” Leaving the cart setting in the produce aisle, Lindy fled the store.

****

Gunther sat on Lindy’s front porch. He’d pounded on the back door and front door, but didn’t realize she wasn’t home until he peeked through the garage window. She couldn’t have been gone long because Bankston’s food and water bowls were still full. The chow hound that was his dog would’ve emptied both shortly after they’d been filled.

Headlights hit the darkness and turned onto his street. “Let it be her.”

The car seemed to creep, slowing down even more in front of his house.

He squinted to make out a pea-green Chevy Celebrity. In a heartbeat he was off the porch and running across the yard. “Lindy,” he hollered at the top of his lungs. Reaching the car he knocked on the passenger side window.

He watched her flinch.

Lowering the window, Lindy met his eyes. “You scared the heck out of me.”

“Yeah? Well I’m about to scare us both. Pull into the driveway. There’s something important I need to say.” When Lindy didn’t move, he pleaded with her. “Please, honey. Pull in.”

The Celebrity inched into the driveway.

Gunther opened the driver’s door, reached across Lindy to unfasten the seat belt and scooped her in his arms and out of the car.

Lindy’s voice trembled. “What’s this about, Gun’?”

He swallowed hard to clear the clog in his throat. “I don’t want you to participate in a pretend engagement. I don’t want to participate in one either. It was ridiculous to begin with but without it I would’ve never figured out something life-changing.”

“Life-changing?”

He nodded. “I want a real engagement, Lindy.”

“Gun’…”

“Don’t hedge. Tell me how you feel. Right here. Right now. Do you love me?”

Lindy stared into his eyes for a few long seconds before her mouth quivered with a smile. “With all my heart and soul, I love you, Gunther Justin. As silly as this will sound, I think I’ve loved you for a while.” She emitted a soft chuckle.

There was unmistakable joy in her laugh.

“You love me!” Gunther swung her around. “Wait. What?”

“All those times we had words about your dog was my way of getting to know you. I think I fell for you the first time we knocked heads.”

Gunther’s heart did a somersault in his chest. “I pretended to be irked when you lit into me but secretly I looked forward to you chewing me out.” He got down on one knee and squeezed her hand. “Lindy, be my wife,” he said tenderly. “I love you. Bankston loves you.”

“I love you, Gunther…and Bankston. Yes, I’ll become your wife. On one condition.” Lindy beamed down a smile.

“You can bring the cat.”

“That’s a given. She’s part of the family.”

“What’s the condition?”

“We get married as soon as possible. The Vice President of Finndley Savings and Loan needs to be settled. You said so yourself. So did Clive.”

The mention of the bank reminded him he had news to convey. He didn’t want to interrupt the moment with business. When the time was right he’d tell her.

Gunther straightened to a stand and pulled her tightly against him. Lowering his head he swooped down to claim her mouth with a hot kiss. Lindy moaned. He parted them just enough to look into her eyes. “Will next weekend be soon enough?”

Lindy’s look of surprise was priceless. “Next weekend? Umm, sure. That works for me. It’ll be just you, me, our parents, the Wilks and a minister. Is that okay?”

“More than okay.” Gunther moved to Lindy’s neck and gently sucked. She moaned again and he had all he could do not to guide her down to the grass. “Do you want to know why I picked next weekend?”

Lindy stepped on her tiptoes and brushed his lips with a kiss. “Yes.”

He spared a look at her house and then the antique with four wheels. “You’re old-fashioned, Lindy. It’s one of the great things about you. When we make love I want it to be along that line.”

Brown eyes gleamed with interest. “You want us to undress in the dark?”

Gunther chuckled. “Your sense of humor is something else, woman. No we’re not going to undress in the dark. We’re going to do it with the lights on so I can savor and kiss every gorgeous inch of you. By old-fashioned I mean the first time we make love will be when we’re married. I’m a modern guy who wants to make his old-fashioned wife happy. I’m also an impatient guy who will crack if he has to wait too long.”

“You’re going to make me wait seven whole days?” Lindy teased.

“There’s another reason I want to hurry things along.”

“You’re pregnant?”

Gunther shook with a laugh. “You’re a funny woman.” He held Lindy out to comb her from head to toe. “A funny, sexy woman. You look amazing.”

“Thank you.” She pressed them intimately together. “What’s the other reason you want to hurry things?”

“Because I’m dying to give you something.” Gunther felt the need to clarify. “Besides me.”

“All I need is you.” Lindy stepped on her tiptoes and captured his mouth with a kiss.

Gunther’s body responded in a way he wasn’t sure he could control. He blew out a breath. “I’m not sure I can hold off a week but you’ll need the time to prepare.”

“There’s not much to prepare. I’m a simple woman. A white wedding dress. You in a tux. We’ll have a small ceremony and a nice meal afterward. Unless you want a big wedding. If that’s the case I’ll need six months.”

“I’m not waiting half a year. I can barely keep my hands to myself as it is.” Gunther fished a paper from his pocket and pushed it into her hands. “When I said prepare I referred to getting a certain something in order before we jump into married life with both feet.”

“What’s this?”

“Have a look.”

Lindy unfolded the paper and began to read. Her eyes drifted up to meet his. Her eyebrows furrowed to the center. “Is this real?”

“It’s real, sweetheart. Once the legalities are taken care of this week we’ll be the owners of what was once Cerise’s Pet Supplies and Spa. It’s the reason I went to Florida. It’s not a wedding gift though. It’s a thank you for backing out of the bogus arrangement.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You kept me from sacrificing my integrity. If a man loses that he doesn’t have much. Tomorrow when we meet the Wilks for dinner you and I will be genuine. I love you, Lindy.”

“I love you too, Gun’.”

Gunther brought Lindy close and pecked the tip of her nose. “How did this happen? How did we go from being cranky neighbors to not being able to live without each other?

Lindy’s eyes caressed him with a smile. “Love always comes from the big guy in the sky, but sometimes he puts a little magic out there…and a Jeannie…to get our attention.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll explain later.” She pointed to her mouth. “Put a little magic right there.”

Gunther knew without a doubt that loving Lindy McPherson was all the magic a guy needed.

It had been an amazing week!

They’d dined with Clive and Imogene. It had been a night to remember. They enjoyed a great meal, drank beer and laughed until their cheeks hurt. Imogene was easy to like. She loved animals as much as Lindy and had a similar sense of humor. In the Ladies room Imogene asked the question on everyone’s mind–was she and Gunther a real couple or were they a convenient way for him to become second in command at Finndley Savings and Loan? Lindy told the truth. “It started out as an agreement but something strange and wonderful happened. We fell for each other. Actually, there had been something brewing between us for a long time. We finally acknowledged it.” Imogene asked another question that had possibly been discussed with Clive beforehand. “Do you think this swift joining of hearts has staying power?” Lindy adamantly answered, “Yes! It’s not just about the physical part; although that part will be spectacular. Gunther and I care about each other’s happiness, Imogene.”

On Tuesday, they applied for their marriage license. As they exited the courthouse they bumped into Anastasia. It was an awkward moment, to say the least. Only when Anastasia’s new boyfriend made an appearance after parking his car, did they realize she wouldn’t cause them trouble.

Wednesday she and Gunther almost slipped up in their effort to save making love for their wedding night. The Chamber of Commerce had come to the pet store to cut the ribbon for
Lindy Loves Pets
. After the token ceremony, they were alone in the store and Gunther graced her mouth with a kiss she felt soul-deep. He squeezed her bottom too. The small but sexual gesture was as good as striking a match to a pile of dry leaves. They smashed together, tearing at each other’s clothes. If they hadn’t caught sight of a customer pulling into the parking lot, they would’ve been found consummating their relationship ahead of time. The customer turned out to be a nemesis from Gunther’s past. When the guy recognized Gun’, his eyes doubled in size. He’d asked, “Gunther Justin? Is that you?” By Gunther’s strained expression Lindy sensed this was one of the jocks who’d treated him badly. “It’s me.” The guy slapped Gun’ on the back like they were long, lost friends. “It’s been forever, man. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since high school?” Lindy was sure the love of her life would say becoming the Vice President of the bank. Instead he brought her hand to his lips, planted a kiss on her palm and said, “Loving Lindy.” She knew in that moment he truly loved her. She felt something else–a healing of sorts, for Gunther. He was no longer the guy who got knocked around. He was a confident man who knew what and who he wanted.

And now, it was Saturday - their wedding day.

Dressed in a beautiful white dress, with
This Magic Moment
playing loudly from a recording, Lindy looped her arm through her dad’s. On the way up the church aisle, she smiled at the man who already had her heart and soul. Tonight, he’d get the rest of her. She was madly and wholly in love with Gunther Harrison Justin.

At the altar, Gunther shook her dad’s hand and took Lindy in his arms. “I love you, Lindy. With everything I have inside, I love you.” He claimed her mouth with an intense kiss.

The minister cleared his throat to get their attention. “We haven’t gotten to that part yet.”

“I know.” Gunther clutched her hand tightly. “But I wanted to start things off by telling Lindy and showing her how I felt.”

The minister jiggled with a laugh. “I can’t argue with that.”

In a matter of minutes they were husband and wife. Gunther scorched Lindy with another kiss so hot her shoes should’ve melted. He looked deeply into her eyes. “The magic’s just beginning!”

Jan Romes is a hopeless romantic who grew up in northwest Ohio with eight zany siblings. Married to her high school sweetheart for more years than seems possible, she is also a proud mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She likes to read all genres, writes witty contemporary romance, is a part-time fitness trainer, and enjoys growing pumpkins and sunflowers.
Learn more about her books by visiting
www.authorjanromes.com
or
email the author at
[email protected]
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Heather Thurmeier

Copyright © 2015 by:

Heather Thurmeier

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“Max! You’re finally here. Good to see you.” Jacob nudged shoulders with his friend in a typical bro-hug.

“Took you long enough. We thought we’d have to start the fun without you.” Leah gave him a quick embrace. “Was your flight delayed?”

“By about an hour or so. I hope I didn’t miss too much,” Max Crooner said with his usual carefree attitude. When his eyes met hers, Jenna’s stomach heaved in an epic flip-flop. “Nice to see you again.”

Jenna Watson plastered a smile on her face that not only said she was exceptionally happy for her best friend Leah’s upcoming wedding, but also that she didn’t give a crap that her ex-boyfriend Max was the best man. And certainly, she didn’t care in the least that she would be standing opposite him as the maid of honor.