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"And you think that’s a good idea?" she asked hienerous"

"It is, but…" Jacqueline and Reese had been wonderful--about everything Alix owed them far more than she could ever repay

She’dclass at A Good Yarn, and after a rough start the older woned up for that class in order to work off coe; she’d decided to knit a baby blanket and donate it to charity Her caseworker had approved the project and that was the beginning of her friendship with the Donovans

Through Reese Donovan’s business connections and the Rotary Club, Alix had been able to attend culinary school The Donovans had provided part-time employment, as well She’d filled in as their housekeeper when needed, and they’d let her uesthouse, where she still lived Jacqueline and Reese were about as close to faiven her the love, encouragement and support her own parents never had, and Alix loved thehter-in-law, Tammie Lee, to serve as her matron of honor Jordan’s brother, Bret, was to be his best man

"From what my mother told et the country club for a Saturday in June," Jordan said

"I know" The guilt was even stronger than her craving for a cigarette "But, Jordan--the country club?"

Her fiancé placed his aret out of the rain" He led her under the awning outside the French Café The rain beat against it and the water fell in a solid sheet over the edge

"Mom was really pleased when I told her what Jacqueline had done," Jordan continued

Alix lowered her head Jordan’s mother was a subject best avoided Susan Turner would’ve preferred a more traditional bride for her son Her futureovert, but Alix wasn’t stupid She knew Jordan was close to his parents, though, and Alix would never mention any of this to him

"Kiss lanced over his shoulder through the large pictureat the café filled with custo who saw theht "And not a peck on the cheek, either I need a real kiss"

"All right" He clasped her shoulders with both hands and bent down to cover her mouth with his His lips arhtly open Relaxing, she savored his taste, his feel She did her best to re wasn’t what she wanted, it would make a lot of people happy--people like Jordan and his family and Jacqueline and Reese She’d do it; she didn’t have to like it With that in mind, she slid her arms around Jordan’s neck and leaned into him She wanted him to kno o through with this craziness

When he broke off the kiss, she sighed and instantly felt better

"You have to talk toher neck "Tell …"

"I did You weren’t listening"

"I was trying," he said in a low voice "Do you want to call off the wedding? Is that it?"

"No!" Her response came fast and vehemently "I love you I want us to be married"

He brushed the wet hair from her forehead, his eyes intense "And I love you"

She looked away because the love shining from his eyes confused her and ee"

"In ay?" he asked

"Before…before, it was just you and me--and your teens, of course" As a youth pastor, Jordan planned church-related activities with the teenagers in his congregation Alix often tagged along to help It was understood that once they were er capacity That was fine; she enjoyed working with that age-group She related to a lot of the te that she was able to steer soative choices, choices she’d ret

Then the er, life as she knew it changed

As soon as she heard the news, Jacqueline had instantly started talking about the wedding In fact, for Christe hardcover book titled Planning the Perfect Wedding At the tiht She figured she’d marry Jordan with his faifts, eat cake, and that would be it