Room for Murder - Tim Myers [66]
As she marched toward him, Alex couldn’t hide his feelings from her, and he was rewarded with her warmest smile.
As she approached, Alex whispered to her, “You look stunning.”
“So do you,” she said as she took her position across from him. Alex was in his only suit, since Mor had drawn the line against either one of them wearing tuxedoes.
Mor said, “Hey, we’re here for me, remember?”
Alex tore his gaze off Elise and looked back up the aisle.
Emma marched in on Grady’s arm, and she was truly lovely. Mor was right. Emma was elegant, a large-scale woman full of grace and beauty, and there wasn’t a single man in the audience that didn’t envy Mor just a little.
Alex saw a tear creep down Emma’s cheek as she approached them, and he shifted his gaze to Mor.
The big man had a tear of his own that burrowed deep into his smile.
As Grady gave Emma’s arm to Mor, Alex knew that these two truly belonged together.
“I can’t believe it didn’t rain,” Elise said as she and Alex danced during the reception after the vows had been exchanged.
“It was afraid to,” Alex admitted, reveling in holding Elise in his arms. “You’re a wonderful dancer,” he said.
“I can’t help myself. I took ballet for ten years when I was growing up, and the rest just seemed to follow.”
“Gosh, and I didn’t even go to Arthur Murray. The only dance class I took was in college.”
“You majored in business, didn’t you?” she asked.
“I did, but senior year I needed one elective, so I signed up for ballroom dance.”
She laughed. “That’s not what I think of as a breeze class.”
He said, “Think about it. There were twenty-six students in the class, and only two of us were guys.”
He accented his words by twirling her, a move Elise picked up solely from his hand pressure. They danced together as if they’d been doing it for years.
“I’m having a wonderful time,” he admitted.
“I am too, Alex. They belong together, don’t they,” she said as she looked at Emma and Mor.
Alex saw the new bride and groom dancing to their own music in the center of the temporary stage. He said, “It’s a match. From what Mor told me, the sheriff’s not too happy about them leaving town for six days for their honeymoon, but Emma probably threatened to stick him with the bill for their cruise if they couldn’t go, so he backed right down. It’s not like they aren’t coming straight back, and Armstrong knows it.”
Elise said hesitantly, “Alex, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something.”
“I’m right here,” he said as he held her close.
The music died, and they found themselves rocking to a beat that was only between the two of them.
The lead singer said, “Now it’s time for the toasts. May we have the best man and maid of honor up on stage?”
Alex said, “What was it you wanted to talk about?”
“It can wait,” she said as she took his hand. “It’s time for the toasts.”
The waiters were handing out champagne as they walked forward, and Alex snagged a pair of glasses for them before they walked up the steps.
On stage, Elise offered to go first, knowing Alex’s dread of public speaking. She took the microphone and said, “When two people find each other in this world, it is truly a cause to celebrate. Mor and Emma, I wish you the greatest happiness as you start your lives together, and may your love grow stronger from this day forward. To Mor and Emma.”
The crowd lifted their glasses and repeated the last line. Alex felt his heart tighten in his chest, knowing it was his turn now.
Elise patted his hand softly, then whispered, “You’ll be fine.”
Emboldened by her touch, Alex said, “I’ve known Mor all my life, and it feels like I’ve known Emma that long, too. All I’ve got to say is, you two deserve each other.”
That got a laugh from the crowd, one Alex hadn’t intended.
“No, what