A Marriage Takes Two Read Online Free PDF Page A

the night you told me about your dreams of a life with Carrie. I saw the way you looked at her today. Your feelings haven’t changed.”
    Not about the way he felt about her, but his attitude toward marriage had. Friend or not, he couldn’t tell a priest that he had no desire to be married, not even if he were in love with Carrie. He cared for her as a friend. He wanted to help her. That wasn’t love.
    “I guess you’re right,” he finally said.
    Father John grinned. “So when are you going to tell her?”
    “Soon.”
    “Don’t mess up this time. Don’t let her slip away again.”
    Slip up, Tony thought. Carrie intended to walk away and he wouldn’t stop her. “I’ll do my best.”
    “That’s all a man can do.” The priest rose. “Because I know how you feel, I have no problem with this marriage.”
    He looked like he wanted to say more.
    Don’t ask, Tony decided.
     
    * * *
     
    Carrie stepped into the bridal boutique to pick up the dress she’d ordered months before. That was when she’d decided to ask Tony to marry her. Two hours after making the decision, she’d developed a fear of failure, or maybe it was success.
    As the clerk zipped the silk creation into a hanging bag, Carrie found shoes and filmy white underwear. Not that Tony would see it, unless — but Tony had agreed to an exchange of vows and nothing more.
    He had changed. Though he’d been glad to see her, she’d sensed a distance between them, one she might not be able to cross. The presence of his son was an obstacle she hadn’t expected, but she’d always thrived on complications.
    She left the shop, put the things in her car and returned for the dress she’d brought her mother. Then she made a Saturday appointment to have her hair and nails done.
    On Sunday, she would be Mrs. Tony Flynn. Now she had to tell her mother. Carrie’s spirits spiraled downward. There would be another quarrel, but nothing her mother said would change the wedding plans.
    She parked in front of the ranch house she’d bought for her mother. With two hanging bags and several boxes in her arms, she headed up the walk and let herself inside.
    Mary, the live-in aide, shook her head. “Looks like you cleaned out the store. What’s the occasion?”
    “My wedding. Here on Sunday.”
    Mary rolled her eyes. “So you went and did it. Good for you. She ain’t gonna be pleased.”
    “She’ll have to live with it.” More of Tony’s advice, she thought. Her mother had always liked him, but that wouldn’t sweeten the reaction.
    “Planning on something special for the occasion?”
    “A buffet with salads, cold cuts and rolls. His housekeeper’s making the cake.”
    The middle-aged woman nodded. “I’ll make some of them meatballs you like, cheese puffs and wings. How many you expecting?”
    “Around twenty. Depends on how many of my co-workers don’t have plans. I’ll let you know. Mom first.”
    “Luck.”
    “I’m doing what’s best for both of us.”
    “She ain’t gonna buy that. She’s hard-headed.”
    Carrie entered the living room and dropped her packages on the couch. “Hi, Mom, bought you something.”
    Her mother muted the television. “I wish you wouldn’t waste your money. Looks like you went wild.”
    “Yeah, I did, but most of it’s for me.” Carrie opened a bag and took out a dress as blue as Tony’s eyes. “This is yours.”
    “It’s beautiful, but where am I going to wear it?”
    “Here on Sunday.” Carrie opened the second bag. “I’m wearing this.”
    “Carrie, no.”
    “Tony and I are getting married in this house so you can be with us.”
    “We don’t need that money. We’re doing fine with my disability and your job.”
    “I have two jobs, Mom.”
    “Then move home and take a position at the hospital here.”
    Carrie chewed her lip. “Impractical. Mary would have to leave and you’d be alone for the hours of my shift. I want to do more than work for the rest of my life the way you did. I’d like to get