The Christmas Wedding - James Patterson [14]
Hold on a sec. I’ve got company—maybe it’s Tom? Maybe his ears were burning? Maybe he wants to propose a second time?
Chapter 16
“AHA! CAUGHT YOU! Making a porno flick, I bet! Did I hear Tom’s name? Is he here? Is Tom Hayden the one, Gaby? Tom, are you in there? Is this a Restoration comedy? One of those amusing farces?”
“You scared the hell out of me, Stacey Lee,” Gaby said as she put away the video equipment in the corner of the den. “Will you ever learn to ring the doorbell?”
“Doorbell? I figure I’m like family. Even closer than family,” Stacey Lee said. She and Gaby shared a hug. “You know, you should be sending me one of those family message DVDs.” She whispered in Gaby’s ear. “Who is it, Gaby? This is driving me crazy. I’ve been your best friend since first grade. Isn’t that worth anything?”
“Give it up, Stacey Lee. Come on, it’s time for our meeting in the barn,” Gaby said.
“I know that, sweetie. But let me ask you one more time: Do you really think it’s a good idea to have a wedding-planning meeting with so many people? Some of whom have proposed to you?”
“It’s six people, Stacey Lee. Just the volunteers from the Barn Breakfast group. You. Me. And the boys.”
“The problem remains—no one knows who you’re marrying.”
“That’s not true,” said Gaby. “I know. And the others have agreed to let this play out the way I want it to, the way I need it to. They want all the kids home for Christmas too. And they respect my wishes, my style. Always have. That’s part of the package with me.”
Stacey Lee threw her arms up in the air. It was clear to Gaby that she was actually enjoying the drama too. She just wanted to read the last page of the mystery before anyone else did.
“Everyone will find out Christmas Day. My family. My friends. The goats and the hens. Meanwhile we have to plan a wedding party.”
“Have you got an extra sweater? It’s suddenly gotten so cold. It actually feels like snow,” Stacey Lee said.
“Oh, toughen up. I’ll keep you warm,” Gaby said, putting her arm around Stacey Lee. Together they walked out to the barn. Gaby said not another word about the suitors and, out of respect and love, neither did Stacey Lee.
Chapter 17
“AH, THE BEAUTIFUL bride and the equally beautiful matron of honor,” Tom said as Gaby and Stacey Lee sauntered into the barn. For an ex–hockey player, he had a nice way with words.
“You mean the attractive but matronly matron of honor,” Stacey Lee said.
“If every woman looked like you, no one would mind growing a day older,” said Marty. He was competing with Tom, or at least messing with his head.
“You always were my favorite Summerhill,” Stacey Lee said and grinned. Everyone in the room had been friends for years. Decades, in some cases. Not only did they put up with Gaby, she was the flame they fluttered around like moths.
The men in question were seated at one of the rustic wood tables. Gaby and Stacey Lee joined them.
“I have exactly one hour before I have to teach a Hebrew class,” said Jacob. “I don’t particularly like this group of kids. If it’s possible, they’re even more self-involved than their parents. But I have to teach them as if they were my own children, of course.”
“And I’m on O.B. call,” said Kurt Henley the veterinarian, who was just about the only man in town who hadn’t asked for Gaby’s hand in marriage. “Diabetic sow about to give birth.” Kurt took his cell phone from his pocket and put it on the table. “In case she calls.”
Gaby looked