Yuletide Bride Read Free Page B

nearly fainted. There she was, the woman that I’d loved for so long, standing up on stage for the whole world to see, and she was going to be wed to someone else. My heart clattered in my chest. I prayed for the first time in my life that day. I prayed for Mary. And when the fellow’s name was picked from the jar, and it was mine, I practically ran up to the stage. I kissed her full on the lips in front of God and everyone. I told her then that I would never let anyone come between us again, and I didn’t. She and I wed that evening.”
    Mary looked at James and shook her head. He seemed to be studying her intently, waiting for to respond. He probably thought she would swoon. “So, what you’re saying is, you didn’t know, and Ava, you came back just in time for the festival?”
    Ava looked at Mary curiously before she answered. “I sure did, Mary. I came home just in time for the event, put in my ticket, and waited for fate to run its course.”
    “Really? Did you know that your name was going to be picked?”
    Mary waited, and Ava looked upset. James turned to her and whispered close to her ear. “What are you insuating?”
    “Well, come on…”
    “You’ve upset her, can’t you see that?”
    “Jimmy, I think I want to lie down for a while, if that’s okay, Ms. Mary?”
    Mary nodded her agreement and looked over to John. John seemed just as shaken as Ava. He watched her with interest, and then focused back on Mary. “Thank you for visiting with us, Mary. It was very nice to meet you.”
    “It was nice to meet you, too,” Mary said. James walked toward the door with his grandmother on his arm and looked back, mouthing his retort, “Don’t leave.”
    Mary grimaced and sat at the table. A waiter placed a plate of turkey and mashed potatoes was placed in front of her, and the man with the teeth came over and asked her if she had any floss.
    ****
    James walked into the dining room and watched as Mary poked at the turkey with her fork.  He shook his head, walked over to her and took a seat. This time, in front of her where he could see her eyes. “Did you have fun?”
    Startled, Mary looked up from her plate at James. “What?”
    “Did you enjoy poking fun at my grandmother?” His voice seemed on edge and he knew that Mary could tell he wasn’t happy with her. And by the looks of her, she didn’t look all that happy herself.
    “I’m sorry about that, James. It’s just that I—”
    “This isn’t investigative journalism, Mary. This is an article about the Christmas Festival! Why would you do that?  She’s ninety-one years old!”
    Mary swallowed. “I know, and I’m sorry. I just…I just got excited that’s all.”
    James took a deep breath. “About what?”
    “Huh?”
    “What did you get excited about?”
    “Well, I’ve been trying to prove that the whole festival isn’t on the up and up. People call it fate and destiny. And people like me, well, we know it’s not true.”
    James couldn’t help but look at her. She acted as though she was old and done with the whole romance thing, but James saw the way she reacted to the story of their meeting, and she was far from unaffected. “Who says it isn’t fate?”James argued.
    Mary snorted. “Who says? Nobody in this town. Apparently, I am the only one in this town who knows this is a sham, other than your grandmother, and James Tomlin.”
    James reached over and put his hand on hers. Mary gasped and looked down. James knew why…he could feel electricity in their touch. He didn’t move his hand. “You don’t believe in love, Mary?”
    Mary was looking into his eyes when her phone rang. Cursing silently, she looked down at the Caller ID. “Sorry, I have to take this.” She removed her hand from his and pulled the phone up to her ear. “This is Mary.”
    ****
    “Mary, this is your mother.”
    “I know, Mom,” she said, and rolled her eyes.
    “Mary, I’ve been thinking…you should put your name in that jar. I know you are dead