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"Let's set a date," smiled Adam. "What day in July
should it be, Charlie-girl?"
"Not July 4th," laughed Charlie. "I don't think Independence Day coincides
very well with a wedding ceremony!"
"Just as long as I'm not independant of you," smiled Adam. "How about
the ninth? I've already checked next year's calendar, and it falls on a Tuesday."
"Any particular reason you suggest the ninth?" she wondered.
"I don't get back from the tour until the eighth," explained Adam.
"Isn't that cutting it a little close?" asked Charlie. "After today's
experience, your track record for showing up on time is a little iffy."
"You don't expect me to be late for my own wedding, do you?" he laughed,
flashing the handsome Clark smile. "I don't want us to wait any longer than
we have to."
"All right, the ninth of July it is," agreed Charlie. "But if you're
late..."
"I won't be!" promised Adam.
"You had better not leave me standing at the alter," she laughed softly,
getting up to go tell Shirley the good news of finding the engagement ring.
With a contented sigh, Adam got down on the floor to refit the pipe under the kitchen
sink.
Kevin followed Charlie around, giving her room and privacy when and where needed.
But, he could always be found within an easy distance of his client. Because Kevin
was so good at being "invisible," Charlie found that she sometimes forgot
that he was even there.
A few minutes later, the young woman found Shirley sitting up in bed, still pale
as a sheet.
"You're awake," she smiled, going to Shirley's side. "I have good
news! Mike found the ring!"
Charlie held up the cleaned engagement ring so Shirley could see it.
"Thank God!" she said, gratefully. "I am truly sorry for the way I
behaved."
"It's all forgotten," said Charlie, patting her hand. "Adam and I
just set the date for the wedding. It's to be on July ninth of next year."
"So soon after his tour ends?" asked Shirley.
"I know," laughed Charlie, "but he said he doesn't want to wait any
longer than we have to."
"How many of the wedding arrangements have already been made?" asked the
woman, getting out of bed. "Have you lined up the caterers, picked the wedding
gown, selected your bridesmaids, or made the guest list?"
"Nothing has been done," answered Charlie. "I confess, I hadn't really
thought of it until now. I suppose that's very naive, but there's been so little
time!"
"Of course, you've been busy," said Shirley, understandingly. "I suppose
Vera will make the necessary arrangements?"
"I guess so," mused Charlie.
"Could I ask a favor of you?" asked Shirley, with a candid look of eagerness
on her face. "Let me help Vera plan the wedding and make the arrangements! I
would consider it a privilege, and perhaps, I can make it up to you for the diamond
ring incident. Mike got married so quickly that I didn't have a chance to really
enjoy the wedding planning process, and even then, the Westons were the ones who
took care of most of that. Please say 'yes'!"
"I think Grandma would be happy for some help," said Charlie. "When
you run through the list like that, it does sound overwhelming."
"That was only part of the to-do-list," warned Shirley with a smile.
"Thank you, Charlie! You won't be sorry! There's so much to do, and so little
time to do it in! And it all has to be done properly, for I imagine the press will
somehow be involved-- am I right?"
"Most probably," sighed Charlie, "unless we eloped, or something."
"Don't even say the 'E' word!" gasped Shirley. "Our family would so
much want to be there."
"Of course," said Charlie, immediately backing off.
She hadn't been serious about elopement, anyway. Shirley promised to come by the
Overholt house next Monday, to begin making the wedding preparations. When Adam heard
this, he chuckled,
"I hope you don't regret saying 'yes' to my little sister!"
"[Shirley did] works meet for repentance."
~ Acts 26:20 ~
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
~ Proverbs 15:1 ~
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace."
~ Romans 14:19 ~
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