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"No," Jasonthe explanation up to Mo on the arh waiting for the opening act of an ainning play

"What’s everyone talking about?" she asked

"Moestured eloquently toward his mother

Elizabeth hesitated and turned to her husband Eric Manning grinned and gave his wife a reassuring nod, which only cohted that you’ve agreed to an "He’s waited all this tiinning to wonder if that was ever going to happen Now that we’veWe understood the ether how special you were to hiht a sheen of tears to Charlotte’s eyes If anyone should be grateful, it was her Jason had changed her world, opened hershe’d believed was closed off to her Love Faely quiet Charlotte looked around and, although everyone seeenuinely pleased, there was a tension here, too

"Just tell her, Mother," Jason advised "No need to drag this out"

By now, Charlotte was more than curious "Tellher son "Charlotte," she began, "when Jason told us he’d fallen in love with you, his father and I naturally wondered about his intentions Then he told us he intended to ask you to ard to the arrangeers entwined with hers, his hold on her hand tightening

Elizabeth paused as though she expected a response "Well, yes," Charlotte said, since everyone was staring at her "That’s a practical thing to do"

"I learned so news," his mother continued "The yacht club, which we feel is the best place for the reception, is booked solid for the next twenty-three ain, like clockwork, all eyes in the roo her response "I hope you put our nahtened, and some of the tension lines on her forehead seemed to relax "I did better than that You see," she went on, her voice growing more confident, "there happened to be a cancellation, and so I asked they reserve that day for you and Jason"

"Wonderful"

"You’re leaving out the

"The date is July fourteenth," Elizabeth announced, folding her hands and nodding sagely "Don’t you think that’s excellent tireed, when it was apparent once again that everyone aiting for her to respond A little ive her and Jason ae between them was viable By then, they’d certainly know if a sexual relationship was possible A year gave them both an opportunity to adjust

"It’s not July fourteenth of next year," Jason filled in, his gaze locking with hers "Mother meant July fourteenth of this year"

Charlotte was too stunned to respond, other than with a gasp Her mouth fell open in shock

"What’s the proble surprised

"But…but no one can plan a wedding of any size in that length of tied after a moment "It’s…impossible"

"Not for Elizabeth," Leah said, her eyes sparkling with excite on this since Jason e"

"But…"

"I’ve seen to everything," Elizabeth said confidently "And it is possible, very possible--if you’ll agree to such a quick wedding I realize we’re being unfair to you, and I do hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgiveis, I know my son, and once he makes up histo wait almost two years"

"But…there are other places Besides the yacht club, I mean"

"Yes, but none of the her hand to his lips and kissing it "I know it sounds crazy, but Moht I wouldn’t have wanted to wait just so ht she’d gone berserk The idea’s preposterous, but the ht about it, thewe can to help," Jamie inserted "If you want the truth, we’re both thrilled"

"Taylor and Christy and their fa out They’ve already made their reservations," Elizabeth added

"But they can change the at his h pressure as it was

And he was right She felt as if a giant hammer was poised above her head, ready to s Happy Excited Thrilled Carrie’s eyes begged her to say yes