Do you want to get married or not? Her mother nodded at the yards of cream-colored satin carefully draped over her arm. Ricks photographer friend is getting antsy. Youre in your underwear. Your father has no cummerbund.

Josie glanced toward the window again, but Rick was gone. She ran to the balcony in time to see him, in his tuxedo and running shoes, sneaking across the lawn to the main house. An agitated Teeny waited for him, gesturing wildly.

Josie felt the happiness start with a little flutter in her belly. It raced through her heart, where it gathered force and speed, and blossomed into a huge smile.

She turned to the women in the doorway. Lets get this party started!

Because Mrs. Needleman turned out to be about four feet tall, even in her orthopedic dress shoes, Rick and Teeny had to build a wooden dais for her to stand on during the ceremony. Theyd draped it in a white tablecloth and stuck flowers all around it, and it had looked fine at the time, but seeing her standing there now, a book of poetry in her hands, Rick realized Mrs. Needleman looked like the decorative topper to an oversized wedding cake.

He couldnt help but laugh.

Teeny leaned down and whispered in his ear. Dont you dare start that, man. Its more contagious than crying.

Rick was saved when the string quartet struck its first chord of the Bach Air. It was time.

The bridesmaids began their procession across the lawn, one by one, down a center aisle of manicured grass. Beth came first, beaming with happiness. She was followed by Bea, who looked thrilled but moved as if she hadnt worn a dress in forty years, which, according to Josie, she hadnt. Roxanne was stunning with all that dark hair pulled up at her neck. Ginger was her usual knockout self but looked like shed been poured into her dress, which might explain why his photographer buddy Lucio hadnt taken his eyes off her the entire day.

Then there was Josie.

Rick swallowed hard, his heart bursting at the sight of his beautiful bride. If he thought Josie had looked good in lingerie, it had been a warm-up for this. She was stunning as she walked slowly toward him on her fathers arm.

Josie was nervoushe could tell by the way she blushed. But it only made her more radiant. She was all smiles, soft curls, and sparkling eyes.

Her curves were wrapped up in a floor-length, sleeveless dress as elegant as it was uncomplicated. It suited her perfectly. It suited the setting.

When Josie reached him, Rick pumped her dads hand, then guided Josie to their place in front of Mrs. Needleman. Rick stole a quick glance at Josie before the ceremony began, and winked at her. She giggled.

He tried his best to stay in the moment, but the truth was, it all went by in a blur. Mrs. Needleman said a few sweet and kind things about the two of them, adding that destiny had had a hand in their union. Despite all of Ricks worries, when the time came for him to say his vows it went off without a hitch. Josie got so choked up when he spoke of how her love had brought him back to life that Beth shoved a lacy handkerchief in her hand.

Josies vows were similarly short and sweet. She said that no one could change the past, and that today was all any of them had. She promised to treat her husband with honesty and kindness and to greet each day they shared with gratitude. At that point, Rick held out his hand so Beth could pass the handkerchief.

Mrs. Needleman said a few more words, but Rick hardly heard them. He was too focused on his brides beautiful face, on those delightful lips that hed be privileged to kiss for the rest of his days.

He truly thought he heard Mrs. Needleman say he could kiss the bride, so he did. As soon as his mouth landed on Josies, the laughter erupted all around him, Teenys guffaw the loudest. Rick popped up his head in embarrassment.

Who am I to stand in loves way? Mrs. Needleman said with a dramatic shrug. Go and be joyous. Know you are protected and blessed in your union.

So thats it? Rick asked, to more laughter, including his wifes. This wasnt going as smoothly as hed planned, but then again, the fact that he was getting married at all was a surprise. A surprise of the sweetest kind.

So can I kiss her now? Rick whispered. Mrs. Needleman nodded and Rick dove into his love, his wife, his life. A moment later, they were walking across the lawn hand in hand to cheers and hoots. Bea let loose with one of her Superdome-worthy whistles.

After the bride and groom spent an hour or so eating wedding cake and sipping champagne with their guests, Rick escorted Josie to the Harley.

It was parked at the top of the lane, festooned with white sparkly streamers. While the guests took their places along both sides of the road, Rick helped Josie gather her skirts and straddle the back of the bike. He fastened the helmet under her chin and kissed her nose. They might only be cruising to the end of the dirt road, where their white stretch limousine waited, but he would take no chances.

Rick didnt miss the irony: They were headed to the North Pole via Finland, then Rus sia, and a week at sea on a nuclear-powered icebreaker, yet, for him, this short motorcycle ride would be the most difficult leg of the journey.

You want to try this with me? Josie asked.

More than anything.

She smiled at him. I have a feeling its going to be a grand adventure.

Rick kissed her quickly and put on his own helmet. Her arms reached around his middle as he revved up the Harley engine. Under a shower of flower petals and best wishes, Rick and Josie rode off into their future, moving at a cautious fifteen miles an hour.

Gloria Needleman rested her head against the back of a wicker porch chair, propped her feet on a matching stool, and adjusted an uncomfortable twist in her support hose. She closed her eyes. It had been a glorious dayone of the most delightfully tender ceremonies shed ever officiatedbut, without a doubt, Josie and Ricks wedding was not the end of this assignment. It was just the beginning. /Im getting too old for this drek,/ Gloria thought, sighing.

Fifty bucks says shes pregnant in a year.

Giggles erupted from Josies friends when the oldest one, Beatrice, made that observation, which was likely correct.

Gloria cracked open an eye just enough to study the women undetected.

They sat not more than fifteen feet away on the front porch of the main house, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over them, their matching dresses fluttering in the breeze from the ceiling fan. Their shoes were off. Their faces were happy and relaxed.

It amused Gloria how these women thought it was a coincidence that theyd befriended each other at the newspaper and stayed together all these years despite their obvious differences. Gloria knew better. She knew that people entered your life to help you learn the lessons you needed to learn, and Josie and her friends were no exception.

Wrong again, Bea, said the dark-haired beauty named Roxanne. I say itll be nine months to the day. Just watch.

Gloria shook her head imperceptibly. This Roxanne had driven them all to the ranch yesterday in a car advertising that she vomited on all men. It said so right on her bumper sticker! The girl thought she had it all figured outat the age of twenty-eight, no less. Oy! Was this one ever in for a shock!

The gorgeous Ginger chimed in next, and Gloria watched as she stretched out a pair of legs that went from here to forever, as the men back in her day would say. But goodness, the womans bridesmaid dress was tight!

It was a wonder she could breathe!

I dont care when it happens for Josie, just so long as it does, Ginger said, pulling at the sleeveless bodice of the dress. Today was so romantic it almostIm saying /almost/makes me willing to believe in love again!

Gloria chuckled to herself. The comely Ginger wouldnt know romance if it bit her in the tuchus. Which it was about to do. The dear girl was so afraid of being over the hill that, if she wasnt careful, she would miss her chance to be over the moon.