ate so much we decided to walk it off. So we walked out to the beach and down the island.”
“Then we crossed the dunes at Fort Moultrie, and I learned all about cannonballs bouncing off the palmetto logs of the original fort during the Revolution.”
“And about Osceola and the Seminoles!” Momma said.
“And about Fort Sumter. Don’t forget the Hunley!” Suzanne said.
“It sounds like y’all had a perfectly marvelous afternoon!” Leslie said.
“We did,” Suzanne said. “And I asked the queen to marry me.”
“And I said yes!” Momma said. “I’m going to make Suzanne my king!”
Hmmm, I thought. Really? How’s that going to work? Then I thought, Why not?
“Jesus!” Leslie said and staggered backward as though she might faint. “I sure didn’t see that one coming!”
After a moment’s pause, I thought it was just about the coolest thing I’d ever heard.
“Well, I think neither one of y’all ought to be wearing white. But I’ll make the cake! Congratulations!” I gave Suzanne a hug and said, “Welcome to our crazy little hive!”
“And when is the wedding to take place?” Leslie asked.
“I don’t know!” Suzanne said. “I have to get a diamond and wedding bands. Any suggestions where to go?”
“Oh, honey, there’s only Croghan’s Jewel Box,” Leslie said. “I’ll take y’all there tomorrow.”
“And we need a marriage license,” Momma said. “And witnesses. Oh! Y’all will do that for us, won’t you?”
“Of course!” Leslie and I said.
“And I need a dress,” Momma said.
“So do I!” Suzanne said. “Just kidding.”
We all about died laughing, of course. But it was serious business and we all knew it. I hoped that Suzanne was in it to cherish—a new word for me—Momma for whatever time she had remaining with us and not to stake a claim on whatever she had when she left us. Momma needed a prenup. I’d call Mark.
Ted was at the door.
“I’ll see you kids later!” I said and sailed out with the least amount of fanfare possible. We had a lot to discuss.
He closed my car door, walked around his side, and got in.
“So, what’s new?” he said.
“How much time do we have?” I said. “There’s so much going on that my little head is spinning.”
I looked over at him and he looked back, and those ice-blue eyes of his gave me a shiver.
“You cold? Should I adjust the AC?”
“No, I just had a thought. Anyway, where are we going?”
“I thought we should go someplace where people can’t see their new chief of police drinking alcohol, so we’re going to Bowens Island.”
“Ted! You got the job! Oh! I’m so happy for you!”
“Yep! I got the job! Town council voted, and they’re paying for housing on the island as a bonus. Now, it’s not oceanfront and it’s not huge, but it’s big enough for a small family.”
“A small family?”
“Yes. Now that my future seems to be secure, I’m thinking I should probably be looking for a wife.”
“Oh, I agree.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I just hope our children have your eyes.”
He laughed so hard and then so did I that we both had tears coming down our faces. It was such a bold thing to say that I wondered where Little Miss Demure went.
“That’s hilarious!” he said. “I can’t believe you said that!”
Well, at least he didn’t pull over to the side of the road and tell me to call an Uber.
“Ted? It’s gonna be what it’s gonna be. I think that’s how life is, if you’re paying attention.”
“I can’t believe it, but I agree with you. We should just enjoy each other and see what the plan is when it’s time.”
Something in me had changed when Archie asked me if I wanted Sharon’s cats. I thought then that if I didn’t start saying what it was that I wanted, I shouldn’t expect to get it. Archie got so off base about me because I let him be so off base about me. I was never clear.
We rode in amused silence across the bridges and causeways until we reached Folly Road and Bowens Island. Then we went inside, got a table, and looked at the walls, which were covered in graffiti.
“This place makes me wish I’d brought a set of Sharpies,” I said.
“Well, you go writing on the walls and I might have to take you into custody, ma’am.”
“I think this place encourages bad behavior,” I said. “And I might like to be in your custody. You never know.”
“I knew I liked it here,” he said. He was quiet for a moment and then he said, “You know, Miss