Buzzkill (Pecan Bayou Series) Read Free Page B

on the guest list. “You know, the more I think
about it, the more I think let’s just leave her off.”
    “Are you sure?”
asked Leo.
    “I … I don’t
know,” I faltered. I took a deep breath and tried to change the subject. “And
your mother will be up from Galveston? I really haven’t had a chance to spend
much time with her.”
    “She’s pretty
excited about the wedding,” he said. “She’s going to be bringing my Aunt Flo
and Mrs. Martin, one of the ladies she teaches science with at the high
school.”
    Since Leo’s
father died of a heart attack five years ago, his mother had kept busy with
friends and her hobby of watching the Galveston sky for hurricanes.
    “Anything else
on Mr. Andre’s list?”
    “Oh, and I have
a printed sample of the invitation for you to look over.” I sorted through the
papers and came up with an ivory invitation with a scalloped edge. I settled
back next to him and handed it over.
    “Isn’t it lovely
with its delicate gold lettering?”
    Leo’s gaze fixed
on the invitation.
    I reached over
and took a gulp of my wine. “So with that issue on the table, I was hoping we
would marry in Pecan Bayou, right? You weren’t thinking Dallas?”
    “Oh, no, Pecan
Bayou is fine. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of a place I would rather get
married,” he said.
    “I’ll talk to
Pastor Green to see if we can get the community church. It is a Saturday
on Valentine’s Day, so it may be busy.”
    “That’s true.
Everyone wants to get married on Valentine’s Day,” he said. “That way you never
forget your anniversary. Hallmark sets the whole day aside for you, and roses
go on sale at the grocery store. You can’t beat that.”
    “Leo, what a
romantic you are!” I teased.
    “I’m a realist,
that’s all. It’s always good to figure things out beforehand. That’s how I plot
thunderstorms, you know.”
    Leo’s way of
planning ahead reminded me of the secret he kept from me when we first met. He
came to town on the story that he was part of a real estate investment firm,
but in truth he was a meteorologist from Dallas. He also told me that Tyler was
his son, then it came out later he was his sister’s son. Would this be a
pattern we would follow into marriage? Leo was a wonderful, kind and caring
man. I knew in my heart it could never be the disaster it turned out to be with
Barry, but would there be other secrets I would uncover along the way?
    “So are we
finished with the latest batch of details?” Leo scooted over and planted a kiss
on the side of my neck. I felt my heart speeding up slightly. He kissed my neck
again, starting to work his way down. I reached back and pulled him to me.
    We were finished
with wedding planning for the evening.
     
    ******
     
    The next
morning, I threw on some jeans and a red sweater and was just brushing through
my hair when I heard Leo coming in the back door with donuts. Tyler ran in
front of me to the living room, where Zach was now dressed and tying his shoes.
    Leo pulled me
into his arms and kissed me. He smelled of soap and tasted like chocolate
icing. What a nice way to start the day!
    “Now that’s the
way to say ‘hello,’” I whispered.
    “You should
check out my ‘hola,’” he replied.
    “Gross, you
guys,” Tyler said. “You do know about germs? We are in the cold and flu season
you know.”
    Leo grinned.
“Yes, I heard that, so that’s why we’re all going down to the drug store to get
flu shots this morning.”
    “That’ll get us
on the road on time,” I said. “Not really, boys.”
    “Tell me our
to-do list today Ms. Bridezilla,” said Leo.
    I hit his chest.
“Stop calling me that. I am nothing like those crazy brides on TV. I’m
low-maintenance, remember?”
    “Right. So where
are we going?”
    “First we’re
stopping by the community church to make sure we can get married there.”
    “I think I can
pass the written test. After that?”
    “After that
we’re off for some wedding cake