Harlequin American Romance June 2016 Box Set by Cathy McDavid

Author:Cathy McDavid
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460398647
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Marsh? When a car crunched onto the dirt drive at seven that night, Effie hoped it was her man. The longer they went without talking, the more her stomach churned.

“Who could that be?” Mabel put down her knitting to go to the door. “I don’t recognize the car.”

Effie finished folding a pair of shorts and joined Mabel. Cassidy had thankfully gone to bed early and Colt and Remington played Xbox in their room.

“It’s Patricia.” Effie opened the door to be ambushed by three of her PTA friends—and her mom—spilling from the supersized SUV with presents and balloons and a cake.

“Surprise!” they all hollered.

“What in the world?” Effie dashed across the porch to greet all of them. She wore yoga pants and a T-shirt. Her hair was up in a lopsided bun. “I thought we were postponing the shower?”

“We are, but we had to do something to celebrate. Since you two brides will be busy with the rehearsal dinner tomorrow, we figured this was the perfect time to check in on you and make sure you’re all squared away for your big day.”

“How are you, sugar?” Effie’s mom, Melissa, wrapped her in a much-needed hug. “Holding up okay? You’ve got an awfully full plate.”

“Tell me about it.” She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her parents until having them both here. They’d been a godsend in helping Remington get settled when he came home from the hospital.

Once all of the women squeezed into the tiny house, someone turned on a boom box with ’90s rock and Colt wandered out of his room to check on the commotion.

Melissa cut pieces of cake for him and his brother, then sent him back to his room.

After champagne and laughing over naughty gag gifts and too many servings of cake, Effie felt a thousand percent better.

“There’s your smile.” Melissa slipped her arm around Effie’s shoulders for a squeeze. “When your dad and I met Marsh this afternoon at the Grange Hall, we couldn’t have been more impressed. We think he’ll make a fine dad for Cass and your boys, and an even better husband for you.”

“I think so, too.” Effie beamed. Maybe it was the champagne or a sugar high or the simple joy of being surrounded by family and friends—regardless, she suddenly couldn’t wait to meet Marsh at the end of the Rock Chapel’s aisle.

But before that, they’d at least have Friday night’s rehearsal dinner, where they’d have plenty of time to talk.

I hope.

* * *

EFFIE SAT ALONGSIDE Marsh at an endless table in B & B BBQ’s private dining room, yet they’d hardly spoken two words. The country music was too loud, and the hard surfaces made conversation with anyone not seated in close proximity nearly impossible. Beneath the table, he’d cupped his hand to her thigh, which was nice, and made her look forward to their mini honeymoon to Aspen—courtesy of her parents, who would stay behind at Mabel’s to watch the kids—but Effie wanted more.

Two seats down, Melissa currently had hold of Cassidy and showed no sign of letting go.

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