Free Love in a Fix by Leah Atwood Page B

overwhelmed, I’ll be your calm. If you’re tired, I’ll be your rest.”
    Her heart thudded. “How could any woman resist a line like that?”
    “It’s not a line. It’s the truth, and you’re the only woman I want.” He dropped a kiss on the corner of her mouth before moving his head backward.
    Every negative emotion that lingered in her nerves moved aside, making room for the joyous butterflies dancing in her stomach. “You’re a special person, Shep Patterson.”
    He brushed a hair from her face. “So are you.”
    Bubbly laughter from downstairs interrupted their moment. Shep dropped his arms to his sides.
    “Would you be upset if I invited them?” She couldn’t believe that she was considering asking Gary and Portia to watch her and Shep exchange vows.
    His jaw flexed. “You’re a better person than I am. I’m still angry about everything they said to you on Sunday.”
    “To be honest, I was too, until I placed myself in their shoes and realized it was their grief talking.” She glanced toward the sound of laughter drifting up the stairwell.
    “They clearly love Josh.” His mouth relaxed. “I think they love you too, but only now realize it.”
    She arched a doubtful brow. “I wouldn’t go that far. They might not even want to come.”
    “We’ll see. Go ahead and invite them if you’d like.”
    Reluctantly, she walked toward the stairs—a step away from Shep, but one step closer to their future together.
    “Lyndsey,” Shep called out as she took the fourth step.
    Turning around, she grinned. “Call your parents and invite them, too.”
    “How’d you…” His mouth twitched until he couldn’t hide a smile. “Right.”
    “Goes both ways.” She threw a wink his way, then leaned her head sideways. “I thought you didn’t want anyone at the ceremony?”
    “Doesn’t seem right not to have any family there, but I thought you didn’t want anyone and didn’t want to add any pressure.”
    “The decision didn’t sit well with me either. I’m glad we’ll have a few family members there to witness our vows.”
    “Me too.”
    “Our communication, or lack of, could use some work, you think?” She offered a smile to soften the words. First the kiss, then the wedding attendance. They’d both been worried about stepping on toes when they should have been honest.
    “We’ll get there. I promise.”

Chapter Eight
     
    Terracotta pots filled with copper and golden colored mums lined the steps of the centuries old Calding County stone courthouse. Spindly twigs sprouted off the branches of trees flanking the entrance. The wide trunks partially obscured the view of two stained glass windows, a gift in the eighteen hundreds from ancestors of the original Calding family who settled the region.
    Shep stood outside, waiting for his parents’ arrival. Lyndsey was inside with Portia and Gary, both of whom had graciously accepted the invitation, even shed a few tears.
    Josh, who had asked if he could also wait outside, tugged on the tails of Shep’s suit jacket. “Mommy says that you’ll be my daddy once you marry her. Is that true?”
    Kneeling to Josh’s height, Shep leveled his gaze. “I’d like it to be. What do you think?”
    “I don’t remember much about my real daddy.” His small face contorted with deep thought. “The kids at daycare have fun with their daddies. I’d like to have a daddy to do things with too.”
    A large piece of Shep’s heart broke for this redheaded boy and all he’d been through in his four short years of life. “What kinds of things? Fishing? Sports?”
    “All of it. And sometimes they just play or read stories for the fun of it.”
    Love for Josh stitched back some of the fractures of his heart. “I think all of that can be arranged.”
    “Cool.” Josh grinned then squinted, biting down on his lip. “Do I still call you Mr. Shep or Daddy?”
    “Your mom and I talked about that and decided it should be your decision.” Whew. Glad Lyndsey and I