Read Online Small Town Girl by Ann H. Gabhart - Free Book Online

the song. Done all we need to do except for the honeymoon.”
    The guys let out a few whistles, and the bride and a good number of the girls colored up and ducked their heads. Not Kate. She was looking at Mike like she just now was noticing that he was a guy the same as the rest of them instead of whatever unreal fantasy she’d been carrying around in her head. Girls, they always wanted men to be heroes instead of regular guys.
    The bride gave Mike a playful shove. “Give me a minute to change into my traveling clothes. I can’t ride to Louisville in this.” She held up the lacy skirt of her wedding dress.
    Her sisters surrounded her at once and separated her from Mike to escort her toward the house.
    “Don’t take too long, darling,” Mike called after her. “I’ll be waiting.”
    More whistles and catcalls. Pastor Mike was going to have to do some preaching on lustful thinking to calm these boys down. Jay had never heard Mike actually preach behind a pulpit. That might be an experience if he was still here next Sunday. His buddy preaching the Word, solemn like, andofficially trying to save Jay’s soul. Mike had a way of believing anything was possible. He’d told Jay that once. That with the good Lord’s help, all things were possible.
    Jay didn’t doubt it. What he doubted was the good Lord sending any help his way. That was all right. Jay had made it on his own so far. He’d keep making it on his own.
    The bride must have been readier to head out to her honeymoon than Jay had thought. He figured it would take her an hour to change and say her goodbyes, but she was back out the door in half that time with the sisters trailing after her. Guess a girl could be eager to start married life the same as a guy. Her parents came out to watch from the porch.
    The mother brushed away a few tears and the father put his arm around her to pull her close to his side. Old, steady love. New, fresh love. Kisses and hugs all around. Slaps on the back for Mike. Shouts of good wishes as Mike handed his new wife up into his car like she was some kind of fragile treasure.
    Maybe she was. For Mike. Each man had to find his own treasure. When he was ready. Jay wasn’t ready. Not by a long shot.
    Mike shut the car door, but then instead of crawling in the other side, he came over to Jay. “You can’t know how much I appreciate you coming to stand up with me, Jay.”
    “You didn’t think I would?” Jay said.
    “I knew you would.” Mike didn’t let any doubt show, but Jay figured he’d not been all that sure. He’d probably had a backup plan to ask that Carl or maybe the bride’s father to stand in if Jay didn’t show up. Mike grinned now. “Not as sure about the suit.”
    “Only for you, buddy.” Jay grinned as he pushed Mike away from him toward the car. “Your bride awaits.” He peered past Mike toward the woman in the car. “A tad impatiently or I miss my guess.”
    Mike glanced over his shoulder and laughed. “Patience is not her strong suit. But loving me is.” He grabbed Jay’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t be such a stranger. Let me know where you are when you get settled again.”
    Jay could have told him that he might be settled right here in Rosey Corner when Mike came back after his honeymoon, but he didn’t. Let him find out for himself. That way Jay wouldn’t be tied to any words if he decided to move on down the road. Free and loose was the way to be. He was sure of that, even if his gut did twist with a bit of lonesome longing when he watched Mike climbing into the car and calling out to his friends. His family. Laughing. Happy.
    Jay ignored the feeling. He had the offer of a bed with an old hound dog. Things could be worse. He’d go hunt up Graham Lindell. If he couldn’t find the old guy, he could find the blacksmith shop. That would be easy enough. But first he’d tell Kate goodbye. Or Birdie, if Kate turned an unfriendly eye his way. She wouldn’t stay unfriendly forever.