The sun was straight up overhead when Emma and Josh returned to the trailer park. Arty and Filly motioned them over to the picnic table, where they had laid out sandwiches, chips, and Filly’s homemade cookies for lunch.
“We were hoping you kids would be back in time to eat with us and talk about the wedding next week,” Filly said.
“I was thinkin’ maybe I’d make an arch for them to stand under when they say their vows,” Arty said. “They’ll pass through the arch to jump over the broom on the other side, and then we’ll have a big reception for them. What do y’all think?”
“Sounds wonderful.” Josh waited for Emma to sit down, and then he took his place beside her. He held her hand while Arty said grace, then passed the platter of sandwiches over to her.
“What do you want when you get married, Em?” Filly asked.
“The same thing as Sophie. My folks had the big wedding with the huge cake, big white dress, and a reception at the country club. That had to be the worst marriage in history, so I sure don’t want anything like that,” she answered.
“Smart choice,” Arty said.
“I’ll make a trip to town tomorrow for silk flowers. I’ll need to make two bouquets plus a few corsages and boutonnieres for everyone. Plus, we’ll need stuff to decorate the arch. Sophie left it up to me to pick the colors. I think red roses would be nice,” Filly said.
“Why go to town? If you made an order now, they’d all be delivered to your doorstep in two days,” Emma said.
“That’s a great idea. After we get done eating, Josh can bring his laptop out here, and we’ll get everything ordered,” Filly agreed. “That will save the whole day that it takes to go to town, shop, and come home.”
“What do we do if it rains?” Josh asked.
Filly glared at him. “It wouldn’t dare. Not on Sophie’s day. So, give me your opinion. Red roses?”
“Sophie loves this place so much,” Emma said. “Maybe we should think about using cactus flowers, and what do you think about some little hummingbirds on the arch?”
“I could dig up some blooming cactus and desert grass, plant them in a couple of big pots, and put them beside the arch,” Josh offered.
“I’m liking that idea.” Filly nodded. “That sounds like we should use sage-green tulle instead of white?”
“I believe you’re beginning to see the light.” Arty grinned. “This will be the ceremony of the century.”
Emma was already just a little jealous. This was exactly what she would want when she got married. This place and these people had saved her life. Maybe she could save all the decorations for the day when it was her turn to jump over the broom.
A rumble out in the distance took their attention away from the upcoming festivities. Emma shaded her eyes with her hand and stared at the dust boiling up behind a vehicle coming down the road. Sophie must have forgotten something, and Emma felt two ways about it. Part of her was excited that she could see Sophie again. The other part didn’t think she could bear another goodbye.
“It’s Leo,” Arty said. “I wasn’t expecting him just yet, but I do have a few things ready for him.”
“We can tell him about the new gallery while he’s here,” Emma said.
The truck came to a stop, and Leo crawled out. “Howdy, folks.”
“Come around and have some lunch with us,” Filly said. “Want a beer or a glass of tea?”
“Tea is fine, and thank you.” Leo crossed the yard in a few long strides and sat down beside Filly.
Leo hadn’t shrunk in size one single bit. His looks hadn’t changed at all, but Emma wasn’t afraid of him anymore. Another obstacle overcome, she thought.
“What brings you out here at this time of the month?” Filly passed the sandwiches to him and poured iced tea into a red plastic cup.
“I was on my way up to Alpine to look at some big metal art like you used to do, Arty, and it’s only five miles out of the way. Thought I’d swing by and deliver a check to Emma. Both of her paintings have sold, and they did very well.” He put two sandwiches on his plate and removed a folded check from his shirt pocket. “This is right nice of y’all to ask me to have lunch with you. I heard through the grapevine that Sophie and Teddy are putting in a gallery