“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
way to the car.
“She should have. I chucked it right at her.”
“Remind me to add 'devious' to my 'reasons why I love Kate' list.”
“Felt kind of bad for Penny, here all alone.” She nodded towards the group
of laughing bridesmaids.
“When's that Remington Steele guy in town again?”
“You know it's 'Corey Steele', and from what she tells me in her not-so-casual hints, not for a few weeks.”
“Then it's”—he held his fist out, which she touched with hers
—“matchmaker powers activate.”
“You are the biggest, most lovable nerd,” she laughed, and grabbed her new
husband's hand to pull him down the sidewalk. They had to get a move on if they
were going to make it to their hotel in Chicago before dark.
The Mustang was waiting by the curb, gleaming, top down. Aside from the
“Just Married” magnet plastered on the back and some streamers taped to the bumper it looked like it could have just rolled off the lot. The kids in the industrial arts class had done a great job adding some extra shine.
Kate nudged her new husband. “Hey. Look.”
Peter turned. He smiled.
Carol and Lucius were holding hands.
Peter held Kate's door open for her, and she nestled in, smoothing her white
lace dress around her.
An older couple, probably in their seventies, approached from the sidewalk.
