Free Contingency Plan by Lou Allin Page A

is important. If you can help others, bonus.”
    “And yourself ? Sounds like you care too. Social worker? Teacher? You can’t be a nurse or doctor. They know about nettle.”
    It sounded more sincere than patronizing. I liked the fact that he was assuming I had a profession.
    “I worked with my husband Andy. He… passed last year.” I gave a few brief details. A story told too many times. Poor pathetic widow. Andy made me swear not to waste the rest of my life grieving.
    “Sorry for your loss,” Joe said, the lines around his mouth deepening in concern. A moment of silence followed. “Andy must have been a special man. What business were you in?”
    “We owned a motorcycle and snowmobile shop. Quads, too, and boats in the summer. Dawson Creek.”
    He gave a low whistle and a mock shiver. “I like to go to the snow. Not have it come to me. Some Canadian, eh? What’s it like way up north, bush woman?”
    That made me laugh. The unfamiliar sound amazed me. Who was that woman?ollowed. “Andy must have been a special man. What business were you in?”
    “We owned a motorcycle and snowmobile shop. Quads, too, and boats in the summer. Dawson Creek.”
    He gave a low whistle and a mock shiver. “I like to go to the snow. Not have it come to me. Some Canadian, eh? What’s it like way up north, bush woman?”
    That made me laugh. The unfamiliar sound amazed me. Who was that woman?ollowed. “Andy must have been a special man. What business were you in?”
    “We owned a motorcycle and snowmobile shop. Quads, too, and boats in the summer. Dawson Creek.”
    He gave a low whistle and a mock shiver. “I like to go to the snow. Not have it come to me. Some Canadian, eh? What’s it like way up north, bush woman?”
    That made me laugh. The unfamiliar sound amazed me. Who was that woman?ollowed. “Andy must have been a special man. What business were you in?”
    “We owned a motorcycle and snowmobile shop. Quads, too, and boats in the summer. Dawson Creek.”
    He gave a low whistle and a mock shiver. “I like to go to the snow. Not have it come to me. Some Canadian, eh? What’s it like way up north, bush woman?”
    That made me laugh. The unfamiliar sound amazed me. Who was that woman?ollowed. “Andy must have been a special man. What business were you in?”
    “We owned a motorcycle and snowmobile shop. Quads, too, and boats in the summer. Dawson Creek.”
    He gave a low whistle and a mock shiver. “I like to go to the snow. Not have it come to me. Some Canadian, eh? What’s it like way up north, bush woman?”
    That made me laugh. The unfamiliar sound amazed me. Who was that woman?ollowed. “Andy must have been a special man. What business

CHAPTER THREE
    T wo months later we were married.
    Aunt Bonnie was my maid of honor, sparkling in a bright blue dress.
    We were at the townhouse preparing for the ceremony when Joe’s ringtone sounded. “Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe. What a sentimental guy.
    He was grinning as he handed his cell to me. “Mom wants to talk to you. All the way from Quispamsis.”
    “Welcome to the family, dear,” a mellow voice said in an East Coast accent, a lilt of Irish. Her name was Sheila. “Hope you like your in-laws a bit on the crazy side. We mean no harm. Sorry Diane and I can’t be there, but I sent you something. I’m sure your wedding is going to be lovely. I know my son.”
    “How kind of you. I’m sure we’ll meet soon,” I said, glancing at Joe. He was giving an okay sign. I returned the phone.
    “Yes, Mom. Not to worry. It got here safely. Perfect timing,” Joe said. “I can’t wait to see her face. In fact, I’m not going to wait any longer.”
    After we hung up, Joe pulled a ring from his pocket. “This belonged to my grandmother. Her name was Ruby. Like the main stone, with a circle of diamonds. Your other hand looked so lonely.”
    “It’s beautiful,” I said, holding it to the light. “They don’t make rings like this anymore. I’ll treasure