Free Lawful Wife (Eternal Bachelors Club) by Tina Folsom

buy you a nice cup of coffee?”
    She sniffed and accepted the handkerchief he handed her. “Thank you.” She lifted her head. “I’m not normally so emotional.”
    “That’s quite all right. You have every right to be emotional. It’s a lot to deal with.”
    She nodded. Weddings were stressful.
    “Come, I know a great coffee shop.”
    Sabrina turned in the direction Paul indicated and froze. A few yards away, Linda Boyd stood watching them, her lips twisted into a sneer. That was all Sabrina needed now! Linda had seen her emotional outburst, and for all she knew she’d also watched the embarrassing scene in the shop. Knowing Linda, she’d probably stared through the shop’s window.
    Sabrina averted her gaze and forced a smile onto her face. “Yes, some coffee would be nice now.”
     

9
     
    “Well . . . ” Father Vincent clapped his hands. “I think you two are ready for the big day.” He smiled. “It will be a beautiful ceremony.”
    “Yes, it will be,” Daniel agreed with a smile as he put his arm around Sabrina’s waist and pulled her to him. “And we have you to thank for that.”
    “Oh, most definitely.” Sabrina nodded. “Your introduction is lovely, Father.”
    “I’m glad you think so.” He turned to Holly and Tim, shaking Holly’s hand. “Well, it was nice meeting you both, too.” He shook Tim’s hand then looked back at Daniel and Sabrina. “If you two don’t have any more questions or concerns, I’ll be heading for my counseling session.”
    Daniel glanced at Sabrina, his heart swelling with love, and shook his head. “No, I think we’re all set. Thank you again, Father, and we’ll see you soon.”
    “Bless you.” Father Vincent bowed slightly then left them standing in the aisle of the small church.
    “Who’s up for some lunch?” Daniel asked.
    Holly wiped at her eyes and nodded. “Yeah, lunch sounds good.”
    “Are you crying?” Sabrina asked with a laugh. “Oh, Holly.” She hugged her friend. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll probably be crying during the actual ceremony, too.”
    “I just can’t believe that Tim and I actually managed to pull it off to get you two together,” Holly said. “Maybe I should open a matchmaking business!”
    Sabrina chuckled. “Maybe you should!”
    Daniel laughed and started walking toward the exit. They really did have Tim and Holly to thank for all of this. If it hadn’t been for them, he would have never met Sabrina and would have never experienced what true love was. “All right, let’s go. There’s a great little shack near the beach. It looks like a dive, but Frank makes the best clam chowder and crab sandwiches within fifty miles.”
    “Oh, you’ve taken me there before. Great place!” Tim agreed.
    Daniel pushed open the heavy wooden door and squinted against the bright light of the midday sun. Behind him, the others exited, but before he could turn back to them and lead them in the direction of Frank’s Crab Shack, an auburn mane across the street caught his eye.
    He whirled his head to take a closer look and froze.
    Audrey!
    Audrey was just now entering the general store across the street, the door closing behind her. She was here in the Hamptons! Hiding from him in plain sight! So he’d guessed right: Audrey was staying close so she could watch with glee as chaos, caused by her vicious lies, ensued. She was most likely staying with the Boyds. No wonder Linda Boyd had known about the newspaper article so quickly and alerted his mother, when he doubted that Linda even read the New York Times .
    His heart thundered in his ears, and his hands turned to fists. He would wring Audrey’s pretty neck for the untruths she’d spread about Sabrina.
    Daniel turned back to Sabrina and their friends. None of them seemed to have noticed Audrey enter the store. This was his chance, but he had to make it quick, before Audrey escaped him.
    “Uh.” Daniel cleared his throat. “Why don’t you guys go on ahead