Free The Rosaries (Crossroads Series) by Sandra Carrington-Smith Page B

south she was addicted to both – fresh air and good sweet tea. Since this early in the morning it was still cool enough to open windows and let some air in, she decided that it was a good day to treat herself to both pleasures. The phone rang and she answered it while she stirred sugar into the tea; it was Olivia, her cousin from New Orleans.
    ‘Hey Melody, how are you?”
    “I’m great, Olivia. What about you? Are you having cold feet yet?”
    “Nope. My feet are nice and toasty. I can’t wait! I’ve always wanted to go to London , but I never even dreamt that someday I would get married there.”
    “I’m so happy for you, Olivia! How’s Graham?”
    “Oh, he’s excited, too. It looks more and more that we will be able to arrange for the Spencer House. I’m so excited!
    “You should be. A grand wedding in a beautiful British setting – that’s fairytale stuff.”
    “Melody, sometimes I wonder if I’m going to wake up and be disappointed that it was just a nice dream.”
    “Well, look at it this way, Olivia. I’ve been married to Mario for two years, and I’m still living the dream. I’m sure it will be the same for you and Graham.”
    “Dad is beside himself, Melody. He said that he has never been so sad and happy at the same time.”
    “Can you blame him Olivia? His little girl is growing up and getting married in London . I would be a mess in his place. I think he’s actually holding up quite well, all considered.”
    Olivia laughed. “Yeah, of course you’re right. I suppose I shouldn’t worry. I’m just afraid to get hurt. I heard this expression in a song once, and I think it applies to me - sometimes I am happier than should be legally possible.”
    Olivia’s happiness was nearly tangible and Melody felt it travel through the phone line and touch her own heart. She sighed and inhaled a deep lungful of fresh air coming through the window. Johnny, the new farmhand she hired after Charlie died, must have planted something that put out a strong citrus scent; she resolved to ask him later what kind of plant it was. She could even smell it in the laundry she had begun to sort out and throw in the washing machine while on the phone.
    “Stop worrying Olivia. You will marry Graham, the two of you will have a wonderful wedding, and you will live happily ever after.”
    “I hope you are right, Melody. Did you already make reservations?”
    Melody thought for a moment; she didn’t remember Mario telling her that he did. “I don’t think so, Olivia, but I will ask Mario when he wakes up. He got home very late last night and he is still sleeping. He is working all the time; getting a promotion is not all that it’s cracked up to be. I know he is excited that he is growing in his career, but sometimes I think he was happier when he was a simple detective with the sheriff’s department, rather than a big shot at the SBI.”
    “Tell me about it” Olivia answered, “Since I took the new job as assistant manager at the hotel I work at right now, I work constantly. Good were the days when I used to be paid hourly. Being salaried means only one thing – you work like hell and make little money per hour. Last week I worked close to sixty hours. Graham was a bit annoyed with me about it, but he understood I had no choice.”
    “I’m afraid Mario hasn’t either. That’s part of the promotion game. How’s your dad, Olivia?”
    “He is doing well. I think that excitement is good for him – he looks younger and he has more energy than normal.”
    That bit of news did Melody’s heart good. Although she hadn’t known her uncle Paul many years – he had left North Carolina and relocated to his native Louisiana before Melody was born – she had grown very fond of him the last couple of years. Paul was a good man, and Melody loved to talk to him on the phone. He had a rich southern accent and a baritone’s voice, and he somehow reminded her of a big cuddly bear.
    “That’s wonderful to hear,