Free Rosemary Opens Her Heart: Home at Cedar Creek, Book Two by Naomi King

woman would be blessed to call
     you her husband, James. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
    James blinked, caught up in the depth of their conversation. He sensed that a lot
     of couples he knew couldn’t speak this openly about matters of the heart. “And I’m
     blessed to call you my gut friend, Abby,” he murmured.
    Jonny Ropp clanged his knife against his glass until everyone in the greenhouse got
     quiet. “Let’s return thanks before our meal,” he said, and all heads bowed. After
     a few moments of silence the groom spoke again. “We’re happy to have you all here.
     Let’s enjoy the rest of our big day!”
    The open room filled with the chatter of couples, who passed platters of sandwiches
     and bowls of salads. “We should get more in the spirit of this wedding supper, instead
     of being so all-fired serious,” James said. “I didn’t mean to spoil your fun, Abby.”
    She nodded toward a table across from them. “Looks like you and I are having a party
     compared to your sister and Matt. Goodness, what a frown Emma’s wearing.”
    After he accepted a bowl of slaw from Owen Coblentz, James glanced at them. Emma sat
     with her chin in her hand, looking away from Matt as though she were ready to burst
     into tears.
    “I’m sorry to see that,” he said. “My sister is responsible for our parents while
     I work in the shop—she does all the housework and cooking—and she deserves a nice
     fellow to have some fun with. At twenty-two, she’s wondering if time and the chance
     to marry are passing her by.”
    “I’d go talk to her,” Abby said as she chose two triangle-shaped sandwiches, “but
     this isn’t the place. Emma’s well aware that Matt’s had his eye on Rosemary all day.
     It’s one thing to be paired with a fellow you’ve got your heart set on, and another
     thing altogether when he doesn’t return your feelings.”
    James spooned applesauce onto his plate. It struck him again how Jonny Ropp had told
     him—months ago—that he’d been acting just as unaware of Abby’s feelings as Matt seemed
     to be of Emma’s.
    Something inside James shifted. What if he was missing out on the opportunity God
     had in mind for him? What if Abby had been the right woman for him all along? Maybe
     he should ask her out sometime—
    Ask her now. When will you have a more perfect opportunity?
    She turned toward him, a sandwich at her lips, as though she anticipated something
     wonderful. He saw himself reflected in her large, doelike eyes and all rational thought
     left him. And wasn’t that a silly reaction? It wasn’t like he was a young, tongue-tied
     adolescent without any experience around women. He’d known Abby all his life. And
     being here at Zanna’s wedding certainly proved that he’d learned how to handle rejection,
     should Abby decline his invitation.
    James took a deep breath. “You know, I’m building a buggy for a company that gives
     horse-drawn tours of New Orleans,” he began before he lost his nerve. “Would you want
     to join me for a test drive after I finish it next week?”
    The words hovered between them while Abby chewed and swallowed,her eyes wide. She looked delighted. “Does that include a tour of the countryside
     around Cedar Creek?”
    “It does if that’s what you’d like, Abby.” And didn’t it feel good, to know he had
     just made her so happy?
    “I’d like to bring a picnic,” she replied pertly. “With the dogwoods and the redbuds
     in bloom, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the spring weather, don’t you think?”
    James was beyond thinking. As Abby squeezed his hand, he could only nod happily. Wasn’t
     this yet one more surprise Zanna’s wedding day had brought about?

Chapter 7

    O n Friday morning, Rosemary sat forward on the seat of the buggy, willing old Gertie
     to trot faster. The restaurant in Bloomingdale wanted ten pies for the weekend, but
     she was too agitated to bake. Titus and Beth Ann had chatted all during breakfast