Free For Better or Worse by Jennifer Johnson Page A

captivity.
    Kelly blew out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Zo-bow.” The nickname she’d called her oldest as a baby slipped from her lips. She grabbed her daughter in a quick hug.
    “Mom, I need to talk to you.”
    Zoey’s voice sounded urgent, but Kelly could only focus on pushing the plastic away from her dress. “Where’s Brittany?”
    “She’s in the bathroom. I need to talk to you alone.”
    “Okay. Go ahead.” With the dress now plastic-free, she allowed her fingers to trace the exquisite beading. She could hardly wait to get into this dress, for Harold to see her in it.
    Kelly’s mom walked through the door. “Let’s get that dress on you. You’re getting married in only half an hour.”
    Excited trepidation raced through her. Even though Kelly felt moments of guilt at allowing Harold to take on her crew of crazy women—well, lately, it had been her trying oldest daughter—still, she could hardly wait to meet Harold in front of that pulpit and say “I do.”
    “I guess I’ll talk to you later.” Zoey’s voice sounded small and for the first time in a long time, a bit unsure.
    Concern inched into Kelly’s gut, but she pushed it away. “We’ll talk during the reception. I promise.”

    Harold tried to inconspicuously hush his groaning stomach as he stood beside the pulpit, waiting for his bride. He had no second thoughts about marrying Kelly, but standing in front of a mass of people, half of whom he didn’t know, in a monkey suit, made his knees quake.
    He never realized their church was so big and could hold so many people.
    The pastor leaned toward him. “You look like a man about to get married.”
    “That bad, huh?” Harold pulled the fancy napkin from his coat pocket and wiped the beading sweat from his forehead.
    The pastor chuckled quietly. “Second thoughts?”
    Harold grimaced. “No. I just don’t feel comfortable in front of all these people.”
    Cam must have overheard, because he nudged Harold’s elbow. “You’re doing fine.”
    The music started, and the church doors opened wide. Harold calmed as the attention of the guests diverted to the back of the church.
    Candy walked ever-so-slowly down the aisle. Her face beamed and she held her shoulders almost too far back. He didn’t know for sure what paternal feelings felt like, but he believed he experienced them for Kelly’s girls. Everything in him wanted to wrap that eleven-year-old in a bear hug and tell her what a pretty young lady she was becoming. He could see she wore the delicate necklace he and Kelly had picked out for each of the girls. Kelly wanted their gift to be special, and he agreed the small necklaces were perfect.
    Brittany walked down the aisle next. So tall and slender, the teen was a combination of model and basketball player. With her hair all knotted up with shiny stuff and flowers and that dark green dress fitting her shape a little too snuggly, if someone asked him, Harold knew he was feeling some paternal feelings because his gaze instantly scanned the room to detect any young guy who might be checking her out.
    Brittany reached Candy at the front of the church, and Harold winked at both of them. Their cheeks were flushed, and he knew they were happy that he and their mom were getting married. He looked forward, and Zoey stood at the doors. If only she could be happy for her mom and me, as well.
    With everything in him, Harold believed one day he and Zoey would be friends. He didn’t know if she’d ever allow him to be a true father figure, but if she did, he’d take the role seriously and do the best he could by her. He couldn’t believe how lovely she looked walking down the aisle toward her sisters. Her dress was every bit as pretty as her sisters and her hair was just as fixed up, but sadness filled her eyes. Harold hated that.
    But she didn’t appear angry. Maybe that was a step up. Harold prayed she hadn’t been hard on Kelly while they were getting ready. Taking in the sweet expressions