Cindy K. Green - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding

Black, ominous clouds littered the afternoon sky as Kari Montgomery emerged from the train station with her suitcase in one hand and a book in the other. As she stood waiting beside a low, rounded curb, a few startling drops of rain fell onto her nose. Shaking her head, she realized here was yet another reason why she shouldnt have agreed to be in this wedding. Though she loved her cousin and would never take away one bit of her happiness, she still felt her stomach clench inside at the mere thought of attending any wedding. It only reminded her of her own failed engagement.

Lightning flashed up in the sky and a minute later the low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance. Kari glanced up at the summer storm brewing overhead. Why would anyone want to get married in August ? If only I hadnt had that unscheduled staff meeting last night, I could have missed all this. Lord, help me make it through this day.

After jumping into the next available taxi, she gave the address of the church. Driving through mid-town traffic, anxiety seized her again. When her cousin Emily announced her engagement, Kari was as happy as could be for her. But as the wedding date neared, she began to shrink away from being involved in the wedding plans, citing work as her main excuse. It was just too painful. Closing her eyes, she moved a hand through her drooping bangs as another pain knotted deep down inside her stomach.

Horns honked around her as they neared her destination. Glancing out the window, she noticed they were stopped in a gridlock of traffic. With the ceremony scheduled to begin in one hour, she had to act quickly.

How far away are we from the church? she asked the driver.

Three blocks up. You cant miss it, he replied in a thick accent.

Thanks, she said as she paid the man and closed the door.

The rainstorm had begun as she jogged to the nearest storefront overhang to avoid the deluge. Colorful lightning crackled almost on top of her as the thunder crashed overhead again. Entering into the mess of rain, she pulled her light jacket tightly around herself, walking in quick determined strides. Several minutes later and only a few feet further down the street, she had become completely drenched. Even though it was a hot summer day, chills still coursed through her, making her miserable. There was nothing worse than being wet. This was the reason she avoided water rides at amusement parks.

Walking through the pouring rain with her head tilted toward the sidewalk, she wasnt looking beyond her own two feet when she smacked hard into something and started to fall backwards. With her arms flailing out hoping to grasp onto something, her belongings flew into the storm. Her heart jolted inside her chest as she moved closer and closer to the ground.

Before hitting the pavement, a hand came out of nowhere, wrapping around her left wrist and pulling her into an upright position. Before she knew what was happening, her savior hoisted her closer to him, shielding her from the rain under his umbrella. She was so close to him, she could feel his heat. Her eyes clung to his humorous, kindly mouth as he gave her an irresistible grin she found impossible not to return. Her mind clouded over as her heart continued to beat rapidly. It was almost as if she was moving in slow motion and for the moment had forgotten where she was or what she was doing.

This was hardly the time to stop and stare with a torrent of rain storming around them and time ticking away until she was to walk down the aisle as maid of honor.

In a hurry, arent you, he said with a trace of laughter. The timbre of his voice was friendly and soothing. It reminded her of how she felt on rainy afternoons while curled up in her mothers afghan, reading a book in front of a fire.

She withdrew her hand quickly as a new and unexpected warmth rushed through her. He bent down to pick up her suitcase and book from a puddle on the ground. After handing the suitcase back to her, he glanced down at the cover of the book, Pride and Prejudice , her favorite novel.