“I bet you do. Glad you decided to come aboard.”
She smiled, looking at Peter. “Me too.”
“Arts Share?” Peter asked when he was gone.
“Sorry, he just sprang that on me this week. John's agreed to help fund some
art tours for the students at area schools.”
“Nice,” Peter said, nodding. “Sure you can handle that along with your
Lucky Star work?”
They'd come up with the name for her new graphic design business together.
“No problem. Being self-employed gives me a ton of flexibility.”
“Just remember to leave your job here while we're on the honeymoon.”
“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.”
