Mixed Blessings Read Online Free PDF Page B

never fail her.

    She was suddenly sorry for all the doubts she'd had, all the fears, all the times she had secretly thought she could do better. He was just right for her, a good friend, a good man, a good husband, and she had been a fool to want more. She was thirty years old, and Prince Charming was obviously otherwise engaged somewhere on another planet.

    Charlie Winwood was enough of a prince for her, she didn't need more than that, didn't want more than he had to offer.

    "I love you, Charlie," she whispered to him as he put the ring on her finger, and when he kissed her, he cried, and she held him close to her, wanting to make up to him for all the loneliness in his life and all the sorrow.

    "I love you so much, Barb There were no words to tell her how much he loved her.

    "I promise, I'll be a good wife . . . I really will "I know you will, sweet girl." He smiled at her, and later he toasted her with Mark's champagne, and then led her out on the temporary dance floor. They had set a small dance floor out on the lawn, and there was a buffet near the bar, just beyond the music.

    It was a terrific party and everyone had a good time, particularly the bride and groom, both of whom drank handsomely of Mark's champagne, as did all the other guests. And Mark seemed to be having a good time, dancing withJudi. Everyone was in high spirits by the time the band started playing things like "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Hava Nagila."

    Afterward, they played some slow music again, to get everyone calmed down and cooled off. They played "Moon River," and Mark asked the bride to dance, while Charlie danced with Judi.

    "You're a beautiful bride, Barb," Mark told her as they danced slowly around the floor. There were a million stars in the sky, and it was warm. It was a magical evening. "You two are going to have a wonderful life," he said with certainty.

    "And a lot of gorgeous kids to show for it," he announced with assurance.

    "How can you be so sure?" she asked, smiling at him. He was a nice man, and a good friend.

    "Because I'm so old, and I know so much. And I know how much Charlie wants children." She knew it, too, but she had already told Charlie that she wanted to wait a few years, so she could pursue her career as an actress. He wasn't thrilled with that idea, but they had both agreed to talk about it later. He didn't know it yet, but having kids was the one thing that really scared her. And even Mark talking about it now gave her a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

    "May I cut in?" Charlie smoothly interrupted Mark, and handed Judi over to him, as he made off with his bride for the last dances of the evening. They had both had a lot to drink, but Barbie felt as though she were in a dream, and all of the people there seemed so happy. "Did you have a good time?" he asked as he nuzzled her neck, feeling her breasts pressing against him. Every time he touched her it just drove him crazy, and she loved to have a good time. She never said no, she never objected to anything he wanted to do, she was a good sport, and a hell of a sexy woman. He felt like the luckiest guy in the world as he twirled his bride around the dance floor.

    "I had a great time." She grinned happily at him. "What about you?"

    "Best wedding I ever had." He smiled at her. They were almost the same height, and he looked her in the eye, feeling as though he owned the world.

    "That's not saying much." She pretended to pout, and he pulled her even closer.

    "You know how happy I am, Barb . . . at least I hope you do. For me, this is the dream of a lifetime." It was the beginning of everything he never had. The love, the warmth, the home, the family, everything he had so desperately wanted.

    "I know," she whispered, and her head swam dizzily as he kissed her.

    All she could think of now was lying on the beach at Waikiki with him.

    They were leaving for Hawaii in the morning on a great package deal.

    And they were spending their