Sweet Contradiction (24 page)
“It’s pretty,” I said as I stared down at my cell phone. Jen threw her arms up as she went back into the changing room again. My cell phone vibrated and I glanced down at the newest text from Matt. Hunter was still in St. Louis, overlooking some business for Matt, but he was going to be back for the wedding in two weeks. I bit my lip and wondered if I should tell Jen. She never spoke of Hunter after the day he didn’t show up when we were all waiting to hear if she had cancer or not. I can’t say that blame her—it was a jerk thing to do. She’d been moody the last month though, slamming things around the house, or bursting into tears for no apparent reason. I blamed Hunter. She blamed her nerves from her mom’s passing, her wondering if she had cancer for several weeks, and even the phases of the moon. But, she never blamed Hunter. And
that
was exactly how I knew he was the reason … she was hurt.
I’m sure she knew he would be back for the wedding, even if he only stayed in town long enough for the ceremony and then left again. I just didn’t want him hurting Jen any more than he already had. She had gone through too much the past few months.
“I’m not sure about a dress with print on it,” Jen spoke through the changing room door.
“Come out and let me see, it can’t be any worse than what we’ve seen so far,” I answered back. The door cracked open and as soon as Jen stepped through the door with a huge grin on her face, I knew it was the perfect one for her and for the wedding. The cream colored dress looked more like a fancy summer dress than a bridesmaid dress, but that was exactly what I loved about it. The dress had a classic fifties feel to it, with a halter top and wide, flowing bottom that hit her just below the knees. It was a pretty antique white with a sheer overlay that had summery, blue flowers embroidered into it. It was perfect.
“Now we just have to find a dress for you,” Jen said as she admired the dress in the full length mirror.
“I’m just going to get married in my jeans and cowboy boots,” I grumbled. Jen narrowed her eyes at me in the mirror and put her hands on her hips.
“Don’t even kid about a thing like that,” she said, sternly. I grinned and waved a hand at her.
“I’m just kidding, let’s get that dress so we can start obsessing over shoes.” Jen smiled broadly as she took off for the changing room.
“Let’s go get something to eat. I’m starved,” she threw over her shoulder as she closed the door behind her. I didn’t mention the fact that we’d just had nachos and ice cream floats, I just smiled and marked the bridesmaid dress off of my to-do list.
As I sat there waiting for Jen to get changed, I thought over the past two months and shook my head. If anyone had told me three months ago that I’d be sitting in a shop and searching for my own wedding dress so I could marry a small town, preacher’s son in a matter of weeks, I’d have laughed in their face. I might have even called them a few choice words. But, here I was, marrying the only guy who’d ever made me feel complete, the only guy who had ever made me feel like my heart had been locked up until he’d come along with the key to set me free. Him being a preacher’s son was beside the point, I loved him with every fiber of my being, and I knew that on my journey to letting myself finally be free, I’d been lucky enough to find a soul mate in someone who would never hold me back, but rather, strengthen my individuality.
I knew people wouldn’t understand how we’d fallen in love so fast. I knew people talked about us getting married so quickly, but I didn’t care. Let them talk. I’d been on a longer journey than anyone would ever know to find love and happiness. I’d found all that and more in Matt, and I wouldn’t have changed a single thing about it. In two weeks I’d be Mrs. Elizabeth Wright and my real journey in life would begin, but this time I wouldn’t be alone.
This time I’d have someone by my side, someone to hold my hand and help me through all the wonderful and terrifying things my future held.
COMING EARLY 2014
Jen & Hunter’s story
t seems like every time I write these, I have more and more people to thank and I’m always afraid I’ll leave someone out. I am so very grateful for each and every person who has been so wonderful and supportive on my writing journey. I am blessed to have such an amazing group of friends, readers, bloggers, and authors that help me in so many different ways, that I couldn’t possibly name each and every one of them. A special thanks to Alexia Purdy, Tiffany Stevens, Jennifer Martinez, Cassie Chavez, Rachael Rivera, Tina Donnelly, Donna Dearing Harms, Najla Qamber, and Regina Wamba—you guys seriously rock my world. A special thanks to my hubby and kids, who have to deal with me when I’m pulling my hair out and in the middle of edits—you have my heart.
Peggy Martinez is a homeschooling mom of one boy and four girls.
She has been married to her soul mate, Omar, since January 2000. She enjoys reading, writing, soap making, all things aromatherapy, and Twizzlers–lots of Twizzlers. She dreams of one day owning a small homestead, raising some chickens along with her children, growing a large garden, and eventually taking a dream vacation to Greece. It isn't too far-fetched to think you could happen upon her and her husband having a conversation about religion, political conspiracies, a zombie apocalypse, or gangster movies.
For more information about Peggy Martinez or her books, visit:
Other titles by Peggy Martinez
Contingency
(Sage Hannigan Time Warper Book #1)
Relativity: A Sage Hannigan Time Warper Novel
(Sage Hannigan Book #2)
Brevity
(Sage Hannigan Novelette #2.2)
