Free Ready to Wed by Melody Carlson

interesting.”
    “I just thought maybe Mr. Right would be the one to find me,” said Belle wistfully. “Sort of like the sleeping princess being found by the prince.”
    “Yes, I suppose that’s every girl’s dream at some point in her life,” Alice said, “but I don’t think life is really like that, Belle.”
    They stopped in front of the Coffee Shop, and suddenlyBelle reached over and grabbed Alice by the arm. “Wait a minute—what am I saying? That was almost exactly what happened this morning. I mean, it wasn’t as if I was asleep, but I wasn’t out scouring the neighborhood for a man either.”
    “What?” Alice tried to make sense of Belle’s sudden change of mood.
    “You see, I was simply minding my own business, coming down to breakfast. And the next thing I know, I am sitting across from the most handsome man, and he is just being charming. Almost as if God Himself had set the whole thing up for me. Don’t you think so, Alice?”
    “I don’t understand. Who do you mean?”
    “The pastor, of course.” Belle’s eyes were wide and bright again, but Alice felt concerned as she thought about Rev. Thompson being pursued by this persistent woman. Even so, Alice just nodded helplessly. “Yes, I suppose that’s a possibility.”
    “And to think I was almost ready to give up.” Belle beamed as she pushed open the door and walked confidently into the Coffee Shop.
    “To think …” Alice mumbled as she trailed her bubbling companion, wondering if she still had as much of an appetite for pie right now as Belle did.

Chapter Seven
    H ey, you’re back,” said Hope when she saw Belle enter the Coffee Shop. “I most assuredly am,” said Belle happily. “Hello, Hope,” said Alice. “Goodness, isn’t this sunshine wonderful?”
    Hope grinned. “Absolutely.” She waved a menu toward Fred Humbert, who was sitting at the counter with a cup of coffee. Fred was the owner of the town’s hardware store and the local weather prognosticator. “Fred was just saying that the weather is going to be seasonal from now on. And he’s really glad, because he thought he was about to start growing moss on his back.”
    Alice chuckled. “How about the church basement, Fred? Jane told me there was a moisture problem. Any moss down there?”
    He shook his head. “No. It didn’t look too bad. I gave Rev. Thompson a couple cans of the best sealer ever made. You can even apply it to damp surfaces. I think he should have it under control before long.”
    “You’re a friend of the pastor?” asked Belle.
    Fred looked at Belle curiously, and Alice introduced her, saying she was a guest of the inn. “And Fred is the husband of my best friend Vera,” she said in a way that she hoped didn’t sound too protective. Surely, Belle wouldn’t set her sights on a married man. “He owns the hardware store.”
    “Pleasure to meet you.” He tipped his head politely.
    “Any friend of the pastor’s is a friend of mine,” bubbled Belle.
    “You’re an old friend of Rev. Thompson?”
    “No, no, but, all the same, it’s an important little friendship,” said Belle with a Scarlett O’Hara smile.
    Surprised, Fred looked questioningly at Alice, who shrugged and gave him an uneasy smile.
    “We’re here for pie, Hope,” Alice said as she selected a vacant booth, scooting across the familiar red vinyl seat.
    “This is such a fun little place,” said Belle as she slid onto the seat across from her, pressing her palms together with happy anticipation. “It reminds me of a café in Warbler, back when I was a kid. But that place went out of business years ago.”
    “So, what can I get for you two?” asked Hope.
    “Tea and pie for me,” said Alice. “I’ll have the blackberry.”
    “À la mode?”
    “Of course, à la mode,” said Belle with enthusiasm.
    “And this is my treat, Alice. A little thank-you for taking me about town today.”
    “À la mode then?” Hope directed this to Alice.
    “Oh yes, that would be