Deanna nodded. “Mom’s right. He’s annoying and obstinate at times, but he’s worth an extra headache or two.”
Catherine’s hopes lifted a few notches. “I can be plenty stubborn too. Especially when I see something I want.”
Gracie laughed. “Another thing we have in common.” She stood and placed her hands on her hips. “Now, who is in the mood for chocolate cake?”
There wasn’t a single “no” among them. Catherine decided on an extra-large slice. She figured she’d need the energy for later. Lord knows, Dean was bound to keep her up until dawn. She couldn’t wait.
“So,” Gracie said a few minutes later around a mouthful of cake. “I have some news to share.”
“What?” they all said at once.
“Wade and I set a date for the wedding.”
“Finally!” Deanna said. “I wondered when you two would get around to that.”
“When is it?” Mrs. Harrison asked, her face beaming with happiness.
“We’re thinking late September,” Gracie answered. “When the weather is beginning to change and it’s cooler out. What do you think?”
Catherine imagined watching her sister walk down the aisle in a gorgeous white gown and tears sprang to her eyes. “I never thought I’d be attending my sister’s wedding,” she said in a quiet, shaky voice. “I’m so happy for you, Gracie. This is the best news in the world.”
“I agree with Catherine,” Deanna said. “This is the best news ever.”
“And, Catherine,” Gracie added as she stared at her, “I want you to be my maid of honor. Are you up for it?”
Catherine clapped her hands together. “Oh, I’d love to!”
“I think a September wedding sounds lovely, Gracie. And I’m thrilled that my son had the good sense to pick you for his wife.”
Gracie grinned. “Thank you. I feel pretty lucky to have him too.”
Mrs. Harrison tapped her chin as if in thought. “So, do you want a small affair?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Wade and I want to keep it simple, if that’s okay with you?”
She waved a hand in the air. “Of course it is, but can I ask one thing?”
“Sure,” Gracie said. “What is it?”
“May I bring a date?”
All three of them stopped and stared at Deanna’s mother. None of them seemed capable of speech. As far as Catherine knew, Deanna’s mom hadn’t dated since the death of her husband. At least that’s what Gracie had told her. Judging by Deanna’s frown she was none too pleased about the news that her mom had met someone.
“A date?” Deanna asked. “Where on earth did you meet a man?”
Her mother blushed. “He’s a counselor at the women’s shelter I work at. His name is Mac Cantrell, and he’s a really sweet man.”
“Mac,” Deanna said, as if in shock. “From the shelter.”
Mrs. Harrison rolled her eyes. “It’s not a big deal, Deanna. He’s simply a friend. We started talking one day and found out we have a lot in common. He has grown children, like me, and his wife passed away from breast cancer about three years ago.”
Deanna quirked a brow. “And you want to bring Mac to the wedding with you,” she stated as if the concept was total foreign to her.
“Yes,” her mom bit out. “Is there a problem?”
Deanna appeared to give the question some thought before saying, “I guess not. I mean, it’ll be a little weird to see you with another man, that’s all.” When Deanna looked down at the floor, Catherine felt as if she were intruding on something private.
Deanna’s mom left the chair and moved to sit next to her daughter. She wrapped an arm around her shoulders and said, “If it’s too hard for you because of your dad, I’ll understand, sweetie.”