Endless Love (Santa’s Secret Helpers #5) - Leeanna Morgan Page 0,30
he’d taken nothing for granted. Shelley had canceled her last wedding the night before she was supposed to get married, and he was terrified she’d have second thoughts and not want to go through with their ceremony.
All day, he’d rushed through the jobs he needed to do, hoping to spend as much time with her as possible. But, like everything in life, a few unexpected curve balls had added an extra two hours to his day.
Thankfully, the people he’d asked to look after The Welcome Center, The Connect Church, and the tiny home village were all happy to take over so he could finish work at four o’clock.
“Is there any lasagna left?”
John turned as Shelley walked toward him. “There’s plenty in the oven. I’ll get you some.”
“It’s okay. I’m closer.” Reaching into a cupboard, she took out a plate. “Is everything all right?”
“I think so. Why?”
“You’ve been awfully quiet.”
“I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
Shelley opened the oven and pulled out the lasagna. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
John wasn’t sure what to say. He knew how upset she’d been when she’d called off her last engagement. He didn’t want to remind her of one of the worst times in her life, but he needed to know if she still wanted to marry him. Would she think he was overreacting if he simply asked her? It wasn’t as if he was scared of talking about his feelings. But everything about today was making him uneasy.
He opened the cutlery drawer. “I was thinking about getting married. Are you looking forward to tomorrow?”
Shelley’s hand froze above the knives and forks. She dropped it to her side and studied his face.
With his heart pounding, he waited for her to reply to his half-baked question.
“I can’t wait to marry you,” she said softly. “I’m not calling off the wedding, if that’s what’s worrying you.”
John swallowed the instant denial that sprang to his lips. If they were going to have a long and happy marriage, he needed to tell Shelley how he felt—not tell her what he thought she wanted to hear.
“It had crossed my mind.”
Shelley held his hands. “Well, you can throw those worries away. I love you and there’s no way I’m not marrying you.” A look of horror crossed her face. “Unless you’re having second thoughts?”
Pulling her close, John breathed in the clean, sweet scent of the apple shampoo she liked using. “I’m definitely not having second thoughts. I can’t wait to marry you.”
“Are you sure?”
A smile slipped across his face. “I’m positive. If anything, I wished the rehearsal was the actual ceremony. Waiting to get married is more nerve-wracking than I thought.”
Shelley grinned “That’s because marrying other couples is probably a lot easier than getting married yourself. All you need to do is remember the rings and we’ll be okay.”
John frowned, then patted his pocket, frantically searching for his phone. “Zac was supposed to pick them up today. I forgot to call him and make sure he remembered.” He hoped like crazy his best friend had them. Otherwise, he’d be making an unexpected visit to Cassie’s jewelry store tomorrow.
“Zac will have them,” Shelley said confidently. “He never forgets anything.”
With a relieved sigh, he found his phone in the jacket he’d left beside the back door. “Usually he remembers things, but he’s been busier than normal.”
Shelley picked up the plate of lasagna. “I’ll take this out to the living room. If you need me to do anything, just ask.”
“I will.” When Zac didn’t answer his phone, John called Willow, Zac’s wife. One way or another, he needed to track down Sapphire Bay’s only doctor and make sure he had two wedding rings hidden somewhere at home.
And then he could join everyone in the living room for some of Elena’s famous cheesecake and a slice of chocolate gateau.
Chapter 9
Shelley opened her eyes and yawned. After a late night with everyone’s parents, it was far too early to be awake.
The same light tapping that had woken her started again. Someone was knocking on the front door of her sister’s cottage. Throwing off her blankets, she grabbed her sweatshirt and headed down the hallway.
Bailey’s head appeared from around her bedroom doorframe. “I’m glad you heard the noise. I thought I was dreaming.”
Shelley checked her watch. “It’s only six-thirty. Was something being delivered this morning?”
“No, nothing. You don’t think something has happened, do you?”
Shelley hoped not. “There’s only one way to find out.” She hurried to the front door and threw it open. John