Page 14 of The Wedding Gift
Darla rolled up on her toes and kissed him. “It doesn’t matter where we are as long as we get to have time that’s just for me and you.”
“I love you, Miss Marshall.”
His deep drawl and the way he looked at her made sweet little shivers chase down her spine. Her brief consideration of leaving him behind had been a crazy moment.
“I love you, and next week at this time, I will be Mrs. Jackson,” she said.
“I like the sound of that.” He grinned as he opened the door for her.
The church’s fellowship hall looked altogether different that Saturday afternoon than it had at Granny and Gramps’s anniversary party the week earlier. Four wingback chairs were set in the middle of three tables laden with gifts thatformed a U at the far end of the room. People were already mingling and visiting when they arrived.
“I’ve never been to one of these,” Will whispered. “You’ll have to tell me what to do.”
“No worries.” Darla smiled up at him. “We’ll sit in those chairs and open the gifts.”
“We open all of those?” Will looked absolutely bewildered.
“It won’t take long with both of us working at once. As we open each one, a hostess will display them over there on the tables against the wall. After we get done, we give a little speech to thank everyone and have refreshments while the folks here look at the presents,” she explained.
“Right on time.” Roxie met them in the middle of the room. “Before we get this party going, we need to take a picture of the two of you and the hostesses. Come over here and stand behind one of the gift tables, and I’ll gather them up.”
Darla tucked her hand into Will’s and led him to the first table. “The wedding will be a piece of cake compared to this. This is just a test, and we’re going to pass it with flying colors.”
“I feel like the only rooster at a coyote party,” he whispered.
“Honey, every one of these women think you are perfect, and besides all that, I’ll protect you if they begin to gather around with a hungry look in their eyes.” Darla squeezed his hand.
“I knew I was marrying the right woman.” He grinned.
Roxie returned with eight women in tow, who gathered on either side of Darla and Will. Darla recognized the women as members of Roxie’s Prayer Angel church group. After Sarah had taken several pictures from different angles, Darla gave each of the women a hug and thanked them individually.
“My turn.” Will grinned and went down the line, bringing each elderly woman’s knuckles to his lips for a sweet kiss. “Thank you so much for doing this for us,” he said eight times.
“Oh, my!” Violet fanned her face with her hands. “Such a southern gentleman. Darla, you are getting a gem of a husband.”
“Don’t I know it. Are we ready to begin?” Darla asked.
Rosalee motioned toward the chairs with a flick of her wrist. “You’ll open gifts first, and then we’ll have refreshments while we all look at the display. And, honey, we are honored to do this for you kids. We can’t count the number of wedding and baby showers that Roxie has helped us with through the years, and we all just love a good party.”
“Well, we sure are grateful for everything.” Darla gave her another hug and slipped her arm around Will’s waist. “Are you ready to do this, darlin’?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Will answered with one of his cute little winks. “With you by my side, I can conquer the world.”
Sarah met them at the end of the table and whispered, “Aword of advice. You might both want to make a trip to the bathroom so you don’t have to leave during the gift opening.”
“Great idea.” Will stopped long enough to plant a kiss on the top of Darla’s head. “See you at the chairs in a few minutes, sweetheart.”
Darla dashed into the first stall, found out too late that the toilet paper dispenser was empty, and noticed feet in the next stall. “Hey, whoever is over there, could you hand me some paper? I’m empty over here.”
“Darla?” a husky voice asked.
“That’s me, and I’m in a bit of a hurry,” she answered.
A hand appeared under the wall with a square of paper. “Just pull and it’ll give you as much as you want.”
“Thanks a bunch,” Darla said. “Who am I talking to?”
“Mindy Tisdale, and I came in here to cry and feel sorry for myself,” she said.