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“You’re the best mom ever!” Shelby said. “Thank you for all you did for us over the years.” Shelby blinked to hold back tears. She didn’t want her mascara to run. No one wanted to look like a raccoon on her wedding day!
During the long walk down the aisle, Shelby’s eyes were on her groom. He was facing the pastor, and she was dying to know his appearance. Not that looks mattered to her overly much, but it would be nice to see him.
When her mother placed her hand in his, strong fingers wrapped around hers, and she looked at his face for the first time. At least the first time in this decade. “Nate?” she whispered.
He was obviously as shocked as she was. “Shelby?”
She nodded, and he pulled her into his embrace, right there in front of the congregation gathered for their wedding. “I missed you so much!” she whispered.
The pastor cleared his throat, and though he kept an arm around her, they started the ceremony. When the pastor said, “You may now kiss the bride,” it was as if they’d never been apart. His lips against hers had never felt more natural or more perfect.
Walking back down the aisle together as husband and wife made her feel as if she was walking on air. She smiled as she spotted his mother and younger sister. How could marrying someone who was supposed to be a stranger feel so right?
They went to the fellowship hall for the reception, which had been planned as a huge taco bar, with everyone bringing something to add, because there wasn’t enough time to find a caterer. Nate had said nothing else since he’d spoken his vows, but his grip on her hand told her he was never letting go.
As she and Nate stepped into the room, he spotted the taco bar and laughed softly. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve never met anyone who was as interested in tacos as you are. It’s like every other food is inferior.”
She grinned at him. “I’ve branched out…now I eat burritos, enchiladas, taco pizza…”
He chuckled. “You are the same girl from high school, I’m sure.”
She shrugged. “I’ve grown quite a bit since high school. I have my own medical practice now.”
“I’d heard you were in medical school, but no one really knew where.”
“No one?” she asked, wondering who all he’d talked to.
“Oh, at the class reunion.”
“I see. I went to the University of Minnesota Medical School after finishing up my undergrad at NYU. What about you? What have you been up to?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, which was bright red from his hours in the sun. “I’m still running the family business. Dad died a couple of years ago, but my mother couldn’t see the business go under. She feels like it’s the last part of Dad that’s still alive. So, I ended up taking ten years to get a four-year degree in business, but I feel like it’s helping the business a lot.”
“I think it’s awesome you were able to still get your degree!”
He nodded. “I’m not a CPA. I thought about doing the extra classes, but it’s not like I’d have time to do anyone else’s taxes. I can do my own, and that’s what really matters.”
“And maybe mine,” she said grinning at him. “I have three employees and patients coming out my ears.”
“I’m sure you do! How long have you been back in town?”
“A month and a half? I was getting my office set up when Mom suggested Matchrimony. I guess I should have just looked you up.”
He reached out and stroked her cheek. “It may be better it happened this way,” he said. “I don’t know how I would have reacted after you quit taking my calls.”
She frowned. “I quit receiving calls.”
He shrugged. “I guess it doesn’t matter. I couldn’t leave Scranton, and you were busy with medical school.”
“That’s true. There were a lot of busy, grueling years. I haven’t even been back here since right after I graduated from NYU when Mom married Bryan.”
“I didn’t know you came back then. I kind of asked around and watched for you, but I never saw you.”
“I was going to go to your parents’ house to see what you were up to, but I heard you were dating Candi.”
“We went out twice and called it quits. I never was able to date anyone for long after you.”
Dr. Lachele interrupted. “You two need to start mingling instead of standing there yakking at one another. Get some food. I made some nachos from the taco bar, and it was amazing!”
