Chapter 46
46
Even though she and Keith spoke every night, Michelle missed him. She kept herself busy, putting the final touches on her book, shopping, and cooking. That all changed when a sudden knock sounded on her door. Michelle turned to see who was standing on the other side.
“Hi, stranger,” Michelle said as she opened the door.
“You’re a fine one to talk.” Jackie hugged her.
“Come in. I was about to make a cup of tea. Want one?”
“I’d love some. I have so much to tell you.”
Michelle smiled. “That sounds exciting.” She put the water on to boil and grabbed the teabags from the pantry while Jackie found the teacups.
A big grin crossed Jackie’s face. “What would you say if I told you that Oscar and I are eloping?”
Michelle faced her with a smile that stretched from ear to ear. “I’d say, ‘Please don’t tease me like that.’”
Jackie held up her hand. “Not teasing.”
“What? Shut up!” Michelle grasped her wrist to look at the ice pillow sitting on her hand. “That’s beautiful!”
“He surprised me last week when you were busy.” She waggled her brows. “We’re flying to Vegas the week after Thanksgiving.”
“Oh, Jackie, I am so happy for you.” Michelle hugged her friend. “I love you. You know that, right?”
“Right back atcha, babe.”
While their tea steeped, they sat at the table with Jackie telling Michelle all the details of her engagement.
“One knee and everything? How romantic,” Michelle gushed.
“Complete surprise. We were at dinner on Church Street. I almost died. Everyone watched, and then a round of applause echoed in the room when I said yes.”
“After all these years, someone has finally caught you.”
“His legs are longer. I couldn’t outrun him.” Jackie laughed.
The timer sounded, and Michelle brought their tea to the table. “I’m glad y’all found each other.”
“Why? Because you aren’t around much anymore?” Jackie pouted.
“I’m here, but I am going to Montana soon.”
“Oh? Do tell. With Mr. Wonderful?”
“He invited me out, and I accepted. He wants me to meet his sons.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“He’s warned me that the younger is a mama’s boy, so I hope we’ll get along. We’ll see.” Michelle grinned. “If they don’t like me, I’ll go to a hotel.” She shrugged. “I’m not competing. I’m too old for that.”
“Well, I heard there was quite a stir at the Apple Festival over the weekend. It’s all over town that the big movie star bumped into a certain lady while they were filming a scene. I wonder who that could’ve been.” Jackie placed her fingertips over her lips as if she’d let something slip.
“He asked me to come down while they were filming. He surprised me with that little scene, saying it was something he wanted to do.”
“You didn’t know?”
Michelle shook her head. “He knew I wouldn’t do it if he’d asked, so he arranged it without my knowing.”
Jackie chuckled. “Seems Mr. Wonderful is learning how to handle you.”
Michelle shrugged. “I guess.”
“Are you excited about your trip?”
“I’m more excited about him being here for Thanksgiving.”
“I thought the film cast and crew were gone?”
“He’ll be back tomorrow.”
“What? I was going to ask if you wanted to eat with us.”
“All the children are coming here. You and Oscar are more than welcome. Pete too.”
Jackie sighed. “Pete has met someone. She’s from Tennessee, and they’re going to her family’s house. He’s meeting her parents for the first time.”
“That’s exciting. Have you met her?”
“I have.”
“And . . .”
“I like her. She seems very nice. I don’t like that she’s taking my boy away, but it’s time for him to find someone and settle down. I hope she and I can be friends. We’ll see.”
“Wow, so much has happened in the last couple of weeks.”
“Supposedly, they started dating several months ago, but this is the first time he’s brought her to see me.”
“What does he think about you getting married again?”
“He’s happy for me. Oscar actually called him before he proposed. I thought that was so nice since Pete’s father never talked to my family beforehand.”
“Sounds like Oscar is trying to do it all the right way.”
“He is.” Jackie sipped her tea. “Is there anything I can do to help you get ready?”
“Just let me know if y’all are coming.”
“I will. I’ll talk to him about it tonight and text you.” Jackie’s eyes widened. “I never thought I’d say those words again. It’s odd that I’m thinking about someone else’s plans or that my plans revolve around someone else.”
“You look so happy.”
“I am. It’s still so new.” Jackie placed her cup on the table. “I need to scoot. I’ll text you later.”
“Take care, and congratulations again to you and Oscar.” Michelle stood and hugged Jackie.