whole life ahead of you.”
Ivy felt terrible. She knew she’d ruined the planned celebration by not being prepared. She blinked back sudden tears.
Bennett wrapped his arms around her. “It’s all right, sweetheart. What’s a few more weeks or months?”
Shelly rested her hand on Ivy’s shoulder. “If you need me to cover for you so you can take care of this, you can count on me. I took care of my license a few months ago. It doesn’t take too long.”
Next, the clerk accepted proof of identification from Shelly and Mitch, ticked off a box on the form, and said, “Congratulations. Your marriage license is approved.”
“Woo-hoo,” Shelly cried out, throwing her arms around Mitch. “The clock is ticking on us now, babe.”
Mitch looked slightly stunned. His smile froze on his face.
“I’ve never been so happy,” Shelly said. “I can’t wait to move all my things into your house.”
“My place is pretty small,” Mitch said nervously, creasing his brow.
Shelly laughed. “I moved from New York with a couple of suitcases and a few boxes. I didn’t have much room in the city either. But I have big plans for the house and garden. Your yard is large enough to add on another bedroom when we need to. And that time might not be too far away.”
Mitch blinked and opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Ivy suspected that he was in a mild state of shock. Shelly had proposed to him, and maybe he’d been caught up in the novelty of the moment. Ivy had always thought that Mitch was a good match for Shelly. But now, he looked as jittery as a rabbit. Ivy hoped he wasn’t having second thoughts.
Bennett clamped his hand onto Mitch’s shoulder. “Congratulations,” he said with a good-natured laugh. “Let’s get out of here and have some lunch.”
At that, Mitch’s emotions thawed. They walked out into the bright sunshine, and Mitch lifted Shelly, her feet dangling above the sidewalk. “Can I get that woo-hoo again?”
Shelly called out, and then the two of them burst into laughter.
Ivy was relieved. She laughed along with them, though she still felt awful that she and Bennett hadn’t been able to get their marriage license because of her negligence.
She clutched Bennett’s hand, and he squeezed hers. As she walked beside him toward the cafe, she felt her cares dissipate, lifting into the air like the sparrows around them. With each passing day, Ivy became more confident that Bennett was all that she could ask for in a husband and life partner. He was respectful, patient, considerate, fun—plus, he was easy on the eyes. A man like that could have had his choice of any woman, but he loved her.
And she loved him.
The thought suffused her with an inner warmth that she’d never thought she’d feel again. Still, her chest quivered as she considered the enormity of the decision represented by her signature on a piece of paper.
Maybe not today, but soon.
Bennett tucked her arm through his, and they strolled through the town until they came to a pier. With the sun on her shoulders and the cool breeze off the water, Ivy relaxed. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the day now.
Around them, couples and young families strolled with pets and took selfies against the water. A few retired people fished from the pier. Surfers paddled among the swells, waiting for the right sets on waves.
At the end of the pier stood a cafe with blue umbrellas shading round tables. Red-checked tablecloths anchored with potted succulents fluttered in the breeze. Soon, the four of them gathered around a table.
After ordering shrimp cocktails, salads, and crab legs with drawn butter, Ivy and Bennett toasted to Shelly and Mitch.
“It’s our turn next time,” Ivy said, taking Bennett’s hand.
As the designated driver, Bennett sipped sparkling water. “I half expected you to come to your senses and race out of there like a runaway fiancée.”
Ivy laughed. “I wouldn’t have done that.”
Bennett turned a thoughtful gaze on her. “I think about our future a great deal and how fortunate we are to have found each other. What we have doesn’t happen often in life.”
At his words, a warm feeling gathered in her chest. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“I hope you don’t feel that I’ve been rushing you,” he said, holding her hand. “It’s just that when it’s right, you know it.”
“There’s a lot we’re still learning about each other,” Ivy said slowly, watching the expression on Bennett’s face. “Maybe a little extra time isn’t such a bad thing.”
He squeezed