Free Unexpected Wedding by Carla Rossi

a computer consulting business and mostly work from home. If not for viruses and lost files, I’d be out of work. I do lots of things for fun, but I really enjoy music ministry so I play the bass guitar in my church’s worship band.”
    A zillion questions crossed her mind. Rocky kept staring at her as if waiting for her to tick them off. As soon as she opened her mouth he raised his hand.
    “Don’t even think about it. I’m not telling you anything else. It’s your turn to pass on some information. What are you going to do for work when camp ends? What do you do for fun? Do you, by chance, play bass in a worship band?”
    She shifted on the ground to avoid pieces of dried grass that were poking and tickling her calves. These were not hard questions. Rocky was so easy to talk to. Why was she so reluctant?
    She smiled. “No bass guitar. I do like to sing, but it’s best if no one hears me. I would love to go to grad school full time in the fall but it doesn’t seem to be working out that way. As for fun, well...”
    A sudden, earth-shaking boom and a spray of shimmering color stopped her words. Saved by pyrotechnics.
    Rocky laced his fingers behind his head. “You’re not off the hook.”
    “Shh. Can’t talk now. Fireworks.”
    The crackling blast of accompanying music blared through the poor-quality speakers. Saved by John Philip Sousa and pulsing rock and roll from the seventies.
    They looked at each other and laughed as they tried to sing along and anticipate what great American classic would come up next. Gia relaxed in their easy companionship, but she’d probably never tell him this was the most real fun she’d had in years.
    Back on the sidewalk, as the dispersing crowd ambled past them, Gia paused to remove her sandals. “Oh man, that feels better.”
    “You OK?”
    “Yeah, fine. I get so tired of wearing those bulky cross-trainers at camp I thought I’d wear these. Big mistake. I have old blisters that have new blisters of their own.”
    “You can’t walk all the way to the car barefoot. There’s trash everywhere.”
    “I’ll risk it. I can’t put those things back on.”
    Rocky patted his lap. “Hop on. I’ll give you a ride.”
    Gia stepped back. “Uh... No.”
    “Don’t look so disgusted. I’m not trying to be a perv or anything.”
    “Oh, please, it’s not that. It’s just... That’s your personal space. And what about the weight? We’ve got every pocket on that chair stuffed full. By the way, I’m adding my sandals. Then there’s this bear. There’s not room in that thing for all three of us.”
    And that’s the last complete thought she had before the man quite literally swept her off her feet.
    She landed in his lap with the bear on top of her.
    She screamed.
    “Don’t scream. Someone might think I’m up to something.”
    “Sorry. It was a reflex scream.”
    “Once in a while, Gia, you’re going to have to stop asking questions and listen to me. Sometimes I know what I’m doing.” He wrestled with the bear. “Scoot this way a little. You can put your arm around the back of the chair. Keep your legs over here. Almost like sitting on Santa’s lap at the mall. Or not.”
    She’d have to agree with him there. Santa never smelled good like something manly/woodsy/spicy.
    “Keep your eyes on the road,” he instructed. “I can’t see much. Let me know about any big holes and don’t let me mow someone down. Hold on to the bear.”
    She started to laugh and screamed again as they took off.
    “Don’t scream. Especially in my ear.”
    “Sorry.”
    Wind caressed her bare toes and caught in her hair as he peeled away from the crowd and picked up speed while coasting down a side street.
    “Slow down,” she said through more laughter. “There’s a stop sign coming.”
    “Are you implying I should stop and look both ways?”
    “No, I’m implying you should not crash us into the stop sign.”
    “Good. ‘Cause I don’t think I can