The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans

Author:Sara Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2010-03-19T04:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

Prairie City, June 1996

Jade clung to Dustin’s hand. They’d driven all the way to Deep River without saying a word, just listened to the radio. But they were actually going through with their plan.

A shiver caused her legs to twitch.

“He’s finishing his supper. Two shakes and he’ll be right out.” The wife of the justice of the peace scrutinized them from the kitchen doorway, arms akimbo, lips pinched tight.

“Thanks.” Dustin’s voice cracked.

“Go on in the parlor.” She motioned to the boxy room to the right and disappeared.

The parlor was cluttered with magazines and newspapers, a couple of old radios and two TVs, powered on but muted. The pungent odor of sauerkraut stung the air.

“Are you nervous?” Dustin whispered, hugging her to him.

“A little.” Jade’s knees shimmied with a nervous chill.

“Are we really doing this?” Dustin released her, peering out the side window.

Stu and Rachel waited outside.

“Well, don’t you kids look nice.” The JP appeared in a faded plaid shirt and worn dungarees. His wispy gray hair was combed forward from the crown of his head, and wiry whiskers grew from the sides of his ears.

“I’m Dustin.” He stretched to shake the man’s hand, his words fast and shaky. “This is Jade. You married my cousin Bart and his wife two years ago.”

“Good for me. Sorry about the mess. The missus is a collector.” The JP shuffled through a stack of books and binders by a wooly brown easy chair. “Gwyn, where’s my book?”

“How should I know?” came through the wall.

“Here . . .” The JP offered up a worn leather binder. “Do you have the license? The Bulls play in fifteen minutes, and I’d like to see the game if it’s all the same to you.” The man scratched his protruding belly.

“Yes . . . yes.” Dustin patted his pockets. “You think the Bulls will win the championship with Jordan back on the team, sir? I must have left the license in the truck.” He started out the door, Jade on his heels.

“Bring the signed notes from your parents. I’m guessing neither of you is eighteen.” The JP arched his eyebrows as he dropped his chin to his chest.

“Yes, sir. Our parents gave their permission. We do have the notes, and a license.”

“Yet you came to see me, a Deep River JP.”

“Yes, sir. My cousin recommended—”

“So I heard.”

Jade squeezed Dustin’s arm. Blowing out a long breath, he squeezed her hand three times. I. Love. You.

“Our best man and maid of honor are outside. They can come in, too, can’t they?”

“Unless they have X-ray vision and can witness through the walls.”

“Right.” Dustin took a step and banged into the door, nodding to the JP. “Be right back.” He smashed the handle on the screen door and darted onto the porch.

Scurrying down the steps, Jade laughed. “Are you scared, cowboy?”

The JP poked his head out the door. “Don’t forget the fifty-dollar fee.”

At the truck, Dustin opened the driver’s side door, then swooped her into his arms. “No, I’m not scared. We’re getting married, baby.

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