Read Online Ready to Wed by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online Page A

you too, Craig.” Belle looked around the shop and smiled. “And your shop is perfectly lovely. And the aroma in here”—she took in a deep breath—“why, it’s like taking a whiff of heaven.”
    “You like flowers?”
    “Oh, I simply adore them.”
    “I can tell by your accent that you’re from the South,” he said. “I can’t imagine what made you want to come up here for our awful weather.”
    She laughed. “Well, I didn’t think to get a weather report first.”
    “Belle is considering moving here,” said Alice.
    “To Acorn Hill?”
    “Exactly.”
    “Well, it is a nice town,” he said to Belle. “And to be fair, the weather this time of year is usually much better. Still, what brings you here?”
    So Belle gave Craig pretty much the same story she’d given Wilhelm. And Alice supposed it was mostly accurate, except that Belle was leaving out a few details. Still, Alice figured that under the circumstances, discretion was essential. No sense in scaring off these eligible bachelors.
    “Well, that sounds interesting,” said Craig. “And I amsolidly behind anyone who wants to beautify our town, whether it’s the flowerbeds or the women.” He tapped Alice playfully on the arm.
    “Is that a hint?” she teased him.
    “No, of course not. You’re one of those women who don’t need much help in the beauty department. You and your sisters all are naturally good-looking.”
    She chuckled and turned to Belle. “See, that’s why Craig is always welcome around the inn. He has a gift for blarney.”
    “Oh sure,” he said. “I suppose it has nothing to do with all the starts I give your sister, or how I help her out in times of need.”
    “Well, we do appreciate that too.”
    “You know,” said Belle, “I’m thinking you would probably do wonderful wedding flowers.”
    “The best,” said Craig. “Or perhaps I should be more modest. Alice, you tell her.”
    She laughed. “He
is
the best. He recently did a wedding for a friend and it was perfectly lovely.”
    “So, who’s getting married?” asked Craig.
    Belle giggled, then shrugged with what seemed embarrassment.
    “It’s a rather long story,” explained Alice, feeling embarrassed herself. If she, or perhaps Jane, could simplytake Craig aside and tell him privately, it might not seem so strange, but being forced to explain the dream story with Belle right there was almost more than Alice could bear.
    Craig pointed his finger at Belle. “So, you’re the one who’s getting married?”
    “I hope so.”
    “But do you plan to have the wedding here in Acorn Hill?”
    “I do.”
    “And your husband-to-be doesn’t mind moving here?”
    “He already lives here.”
    Craig smiled. “I wonder if I know the lucky fellow.” He scratched his head in thought, then started rattling off the same names that Alice and her family had gone over. “Am I even getting warm?” he finally asked Belle.
    Alice grimaced. “It might be easier to simply tell him, Belle. Otherwise, he might pester everyone in town to figure it out.”
    “Yes,” said Craig eagerly. “Let’s just tell him.”
    Belle nodded but said nothing. So Alice quickly retold the story of Belle’s dream, keeping her account as simple and straightforward as possible. Even so, she still felt silly afterward.
    And Craig looked stunned. “No way.”
    Alice just nodded. Then Belle nodded. And Craigstill looked unconvinced. “You girls are pulling my leg, right?”
    “No,” said Belle firmly. “The dream came from God and, so far, I think it’s all right on track. So, seriously, could you schedule me in? I’d love for you to do my floral arrangements.”
    He still looked incredulous. “For the first Saturday in June?”
    “That’s right.”
    Craig glanced uneasily at Alice, and she just nodded with a look that was probably not very reassuring.
    “Well, okay. I’ll pencil it in. And you be sure to let me know when you find out who the lucky guy is, okay?”
    Alice couldn’t