“Oh, don't worry.” She pecked him on the cheek. “I'm sure I'll have plenty of

distractions to keep me occupied.”

He grinned, that crooked, warm smile that was all hers now.

She missed Chicago a little, but she felt better leaving The Garman Group with the Nitrovex deal under their belt. They were already getting more offers from similar-sized companies. They would be fine. And they'd understood when

she'd told them she was striking out on her own. Danni had even wished her luck

with a surprising hug.

It was a risk, starting her own company, but the freedom was worth it. She

glanced at her husband, who was busy getting congratulated. Besides, there were

undeniably better fringe benefits here.

And Golden Grove? She realized a while back it had helped make her who

she was. And it wasn't perfect—no place was—but it was home for her and Peter. Maybe not forever, but for now, and that was good enough.

Peter put his hand around her waist and turned to her, grinning. “I forgot to

tell you how beautiful you look.”

“No, you didn't. You told me once when we were up at the front of the church and twice in the hallway after we left down the aisle.”

“Oh.”

“But, um…you could always tell me again.”

“You look beautiful.”

“Thanks. And thanks for not wearing that tux you wore at homecoming last

fall.”

“Well, you said if I did you'd divorce me right after we said the vows.”

“Correct.” She brushed at his shirt collar under his tuxedo. “I see you got the

stain out of your shirt.”

“From the dance? Took a while. Lipstick is hard to get off. I had to use ten

milliliters of hydrogen peroxide, twenty milliliters of acetic acid, and five mils of ammonia.”

She leaned up and whispered in his ear. “You might want to remember that

solution.”

Lucius came down the steps, looking decidedly dapper in his black tux. On

his arm was Carol in a light orange dress. Both were beaming.

“Okay, now you sure you two have everything under control?” Kate asked.

Carol waved her hand. “Oh, not a problem. Lucius and I will watch the house and water the plants. You two just enjoy yourselves.”

“Oh, we will,” Kate said, winking at Peter.

“Where are you going again?” Lucius asked.

“Chicago, then Costa Rica for a week, and from there…?” He looked at Kate expectantly.

“We're going to just take it one day at a time.”

Lucius nodded. “Sound advice.” He extended both arms, walked to Peter and

gave him a hug accented with a few claps on the back. “All the best to you and

your new bride, my friend.”

Kate liked the sound of the word “bride.”

He moved next to Kate, held her at arms' length for a moment, then drew her

close and gave her a peck on the cheek. His mustache did tickle. “We wish you all the best,” Lucius said.

“He said we,” Peter said softly, nudging Kate.

Lucius looked lost for a moment. “What's that?”

“Nothing, nothing.” Peter clapped his hand to his jacket pocket, searching.

“That reminds me. We got you two a gift.”

“A gift?” Carol said.

Peter pulled out a small card which he handed to Kate.

“Yes,” Kate said. “A gift card we had Ray make up for us. It's good for a year's worth of free pie shakes, but only if shared by Carol Harding and Lucius

Potter.” She handed the card to Carol, who seemed at a loss for words.

“Bye, bye, now,” Kate said as she and Peter turned to go down the front walk.

“I noticed Carol caught the bouquet,” he said in Kate's ear as they made their