92 Pacific Boulevard - Debbie Macomber [100]
Lori suddenly averted her eyes. “My father owns that piece of land. I didn’t know until recently.”
That shouldn’t complicate the situation as far as Linc could see. “I offered a fair price,” he said.
As soon as they were married, Linc intended to move to Cedar Cove and set up his own car repair business. He’d move in with Lori until they found a place of their own. Lori said she wouldn’t be comfortable in Seattle; she preferred to live in a small town. She worked at a dress shop in nearby Silverdale and would continue to do so until they had their first child. Linc believed he could make a success of his new business. He planned to become a silent partner in Three Wyse Men, the family repair shop, leaving its day-to-day operation to Mel and Ned.
“I’m not changing my mind about our marriage,” Lori assured him again.
“Me, neither.” Linc squeezed her hand. Together they walked up the steps to the courthouse.
The ceremony itself was shockingly brief. It hardly seemed legal that they could be practically strangers one minute and married the next.
Linc hadn’t expected the emotion that overcame him when the judge pronounced them husband and wife. In that instant, he experienced a rush of tenderness for Lori that nearly brought tears to his eyes. He was baffled by it, and a little embarrassed, too.
He realized with astonishment that if he hadn’t stopped to help her that night, none of this would be happening. It would’ve been an ordinary Friday afternoon.
Lori didn’t say anything, either, and he wondered if she’d felt the emotions he had. If so, she didn’t mention it. In fact, neither of them had anything to say until they were seated in Linc’s truck.
Lori smiled at him. “Hello, husband,” she murmured.
Linc returned her smile. “Hello, wife.”
Wife. What a powerful word that was. A word that said companion, friend, partner…lover.
As he started the engine, he asked, “Is there anyplace you’d like to go first?” It was a few minutes before five.
“Maybe we should have an early dinner.“
“Sure.” Linc hid his disappointment. He’d hoped she’d suggest they go straight to her place. He’d brought his suitcase and wanted to unpack, settle in before…He’d been looking forward to sleeping with Lori. So far, their physical relationship consisted of a few less-than-chaste kisses. Her response to their tentative lovemaking had led him to believe they’d definitely be sexually compatible.
“I’d like to introduce you to my sister before we do that,” Linc said, trying to take his mind off their wedding night.
“You mean now or…after?”
“Now.”
“Okay.” Lori slid a bit closer and placed her hand on his arm.
Linc enjoyed having her touch him even in the most casual way. When she’d asked if he loved her, before the wedding, he’d been as honest as he knew how to be in his response. Now he asked himself if the tenderness he felt, this joyful expectation, could be love. He hoped so. He wanted to love Lori. He was excited about having children with her. She’d be a good mother and he intended to be a good father.
The courthouse wasn’t far from his sister’s duplex. When he parked there, he saw Mack working outside, pruning some forsythia bushes. Mack was the kind of guy who always found something to do. If he wasn’t painting or doing repairs, he was puttering in his garage or gardening.
Mack and Linc had talked the previous week regarding Mack’s relationship with Mary Jo. Linc felt his sister had made a smart choice when she agreed to marry him. He’d come to like Mack and believed the other man would not only look after Noelle, he’d do what he could to keep David Rhodes from using his daughter to manipulate Ben.
Mack met him as Linc opened the passenger door and helped Lori out. His soon-to-be brother-in-law sent him a questioning glance.
“Mack McAfee, this is my wife, Lori.”
Mack’s mouth fell open. “Your wife?”
Lori moved closer to Linc’s side.
“When did this happen?”
“About ten minutes ago.”
“Does Mary Jo know about this?”
“Not yet. We stopped by to tell her.”
Mack stared at them both.
The door to Mary Jo’s half of the duplex