“Wade,” Uncle Harold began, “I want to introduce you to a good friend of mine who’s here. Bob Whitfield used to work with me and your father. He left six months before your dad passed.”
Turning to Pearl, Wade said, “I’ll be right back.”
She was thankful to have some time alone to gather herself.
Girl, you need to get a hold of yourself, she silently chided. Stop acting like you’re in heat.
Wade returned to the table ten minutes later. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t come across many people who knew my father much.”
“I understand totally.”
The band began playing a familiar song, which Pearl sang along to. Her eyes traveled over to Wade. Giving him a sheepish grin, she said, “I love that one, too.”
Wade gave her a smile that sent her pulse racing.
It was time then for the bride to throw the bouquet.
“Shouldn’t you be up there with the rest of the single women?”
Pearl wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “I’m not about to make a fool of myself over some flowers, no matter how beautiful they are.”
“You’re not superstitious, are you?”
“Naaah.” Pearl pushed away from the table. “What I need is to get some air. It’s stuffy in here.” As an afterthought, she added, “Care to join me?”
Wade rose to his feet. “Sure.”
He followed her as she navigated through the sea of people in the ballroom. She was just a few yards from the door when a flash of vivid color floated across the room.
Pearl gasped in surprise as the bouquet fell into her hands. Wade threw back his head, cracking up with laughter.
Before she could utter a word, cameras were flashing all around her. She glanced over at Wade, who was still laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“I wish you could see the expression on your face.”
Grinning, Pearl responded, “With all these cameras I’m sure I will.” Loving the attention, she posed for a series of pictures before escaping through the nearest door with Wade.
She was still clutching the bridal bouquet when she stepped outside in her coat. “It’s cold but it feels better out here than inside.” Truth be told, she didn’t know whether she was having hot flashes or if just being around Wade was making her overheated.
“It’s nice out here.”
She gave Wade a sidelong glance. “I heard Mr. Green say that your father passed away. How long ago did it happen?”
“When I was fourteen. My dad was a policeman. He was killed on the job.”
“We have something in common, then. My father died when I was eight years old. He was a policeman, too, and killed in the line of duty.” She glanced up at him. “Were you and your father close?”
“He was my best friend. What about you?”
“I loved my daddy like crazy. I keep a picture of him by my bed. Losing him was hard but when my mother died five years ago, I thought I’d lose my mind.”
“How did she die?”
“She had pancreatic cancer. Mama died three months after the diagnosis. We didn’t even have a chance to get used to the fact that she had cancer.” After a brief pause, Pearl said, “Okay, enough of this kind of talk. We’re at a wedding reception.”
“The celebration is winding down.” Wade checked his watch. “I guess I’ll head back to the ferry in a few minutes.”
“Hey, do you want to go on a tour?” Pearl blurted, surprising herself. “If you’d like, I can rent a carriage and drive you around.”
His eyebrows rose in astonishment. “You can handle a horse and buggy?”
“Yeah. I love horses and I’ve been riding since I was ten.”
“But have you ever driven a carriage?”
“Not really,” Pearl confessed with a grin. “But it can’t be that hard.”
“Why don’t we just hire a driver to take us around?” Wade suggested.
Folding her arms across her chest, Pearl inquired, “You don’t trust my skills, Pastor?”
“It’s not that. I just thought we could enjoy the tour together.”
Pearl broke into a short laugh. “Careful, Pastor. You’re dangerously close to fibbing.”
Wade chuckled. “I think we’ve been around each other long enough for you to call me by my given name.”
“Only if you call me by mine.”
“Agreed.”
Pearl ventured off to make the arrangements for their tour of the island. She returned a few minutes later saying, “It’s all set. We’re taking a carriage ride.”
They made small talk as they waited for the horse and buggy to arrive.
Wade assisted Pearl into the carriage. He followed, sitting beside her.
She reached for the blanket and covered up. “It’s beautiful out here but cold. You’re going to have to come back in the summer for one of the lighthouse cruises.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
As the carriage took them around the island, Pearl pointed out the sights, adding interesting details and amusing anecdotes.
When the carriage came to a stop, Wade turned to her. “I’m enjoying the ride and the company. Thank you for doing this, Pearl.”
Their eyes locked, sending her heart hammering against her ribs. She struggled to rein in her emotions.
A man sits beside me and I’m about to fall apart. I know it’s been six months since my last date but this is crazy.
“Pearl,” Wade prompted.
“Huh?” She came out of her reverie.
“I think you were going to tell me something about the lighthouse. You told the driver to stop here.”
“Oh, yeah,” she mumbled, her heart hammering foolishly. “The lighthouse.”
“Thanks for the tour,” Wade said when they were seated on the ferry back to the mainland. “You know a lot about this place.”
“You’re quite welcome, Wade.” She flashed him another of those million-dollar smiles that had mesmerized him on the carriage ride. His gaze slid downward, moving over her body slowly, enjoying the view. He gave himself a mental shake.
“I’m sure you’re as knowledgeable about Chicago,” Pearl said.
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