The Plumber's Helper

  "But Jake…"

  "Sshh. Later." He kissed her brow and laid his head against hers.

  She never felt so happy, content … and cherished. Her eyes drooped and she slept.

  * * * *

  When Roxy's parents learned of the news by telephone later that day about the engagement between Roxy and Jake Plummer, her father promised to give her away. Her mother gushed, which was something she never did until it brought to mind her own reviving marriage.

  By the time the Diamonds arrived a few weeks ahead of the wedding date, there had been a private and decisive meeting between Jake and Roxy's parents regarding the purchase of the lake house. It was to be Jake's wedding gift to Roxy, the deed kept in her name, so she would never lose it. Having been a Realtor, Cecelia Diamond knew how to manipulate the closing so that the newlyweds could take possession of the house when they returned from their honeymoon.

  Jake's parents and grandfather were thrilled. There were numerous discussions between Jake and his family when the oldsters presented the idea of moving to Florida and turning over the business to the boys.

  There were additional business meetings among the Plummers about forming a corporation to oversee the development of the land John Senior had tentatively sold to an out-of-state purchaser. The agreement could be voided, although paying a stiff penalty was needed to get out of the contract. Cecelia assured the Plummers hiring a good lawyer could do it.

  The young construction workers, all three of them, and other close friends engaged in the construction trades, were thinking of developing the farm themselves.

  At the wedding Pete acted as Jake's best man. Chip and Robbie White agreed to complete the male members of the wedding party. Roxy asked Bella Carmody to be her maid of honor and invited two other of her high school chums to be bridesmaids.

  The wedding was small, no more than thirty guests. The reception took place in the Spring House Restaurant on the highway near the outskirts of Miradale on a beautiful, autumn Saturday. And no, Desiree Smith was definitely not invited to either affair.

  The End

  About the Author:

  Blaise Kilgallen was born in New Jersey, and lives in a semi-rural county in the "Garden State" with three four-footed companions: a retired thoroughbred mare, a half-Siamese cat and "a rather large" Rottweiler.

  She earned her BS in Fine Art Education with the intention to teach but found she'd rather "do" than teach. Blaise was employed for a number of years by a series of New York advertising agencies. Later, she wrote catalog and PR copy for a private label, sales-marketing firm and drapery-bedspread manufacturer. She additionally earned a NJ Real Estate Broker's license and sold real estate. She now writes romantic fiction, paints and markets her watercolors.

  Blaise is also published in Historical and Contemporary Romance under the name of Joan M. Fox.