Wedding Belles Read Online Free PDF

deep in conversation about the melodrama. Lottie mostly listened while Gilbert explained. Or, rather, tried to explain. He didn’t do the best job of sharing the plan of action. Of course, the plan hadn’t yet been fully developed.
    “Tell me one more time what made you think of this idea in the first place,” Mrs. Parker said when he paused for breath. “Doesn’t sound like something you would come up with, son.”
    Gil’s eyes sparkled. “I’m telling you, Mama, it was just one word that made me think of it— drama . I was thinking about Jeb and the other fellas and all their drama, and the whole idea just sort of unfolded right there on the spot.”
    “That’s how most heavenly ideas come,” she said. “They just float down from a cloud and land on your shoulder, whispering softly into your ear.”
    “This one shouted.” He kicked at a rock in his path and then chuckled.
    “What do you think about all of this, Lottie?” Mrs. Parker asked. “You’re a levelheaded girl. Surely this idea of his took you by surprise.”
    “It did.” Lottie slowed her pace as she spoke. “And I must admit, I did a little shouting too. Didn’t take to the idea at first.”
    “When did you come around, dear?” Mrs. Parker matched her pace to Lottie’s.
    Lottie chuckled. “Oh, about five minutes ago.”
    They had a good laugh at that one. Lottie began to share some ideas that might work for the play. “What do you think of this?” she asked. “We could have some funny character names—very melodramatic, of course. And I think we can piece together a set using things we already have. Same with the costumes, though we’ll need a few extra pieces.”
    “Honey, you’re the perfect person for this job,” Mrs. Parker said.
    “That’s just what I told her.” Gilbert captivated Lottie with the twinkle in his eye and an assuring nod. “She’s perfect.”
    Emboldened by his words, Lottie shared more ideas about the play as they walked on. Where they came from, she couldn’t say. Must be inspired.
    Less than a mile up the road, they came across Phineas and Jeb standing at the edge of Phineas’s property. The two men appeared to be in a heated argument. Their bickering ceased as Lottie, Gil, and his mother approached.
    “What do we have here?” Mrs. Parker looked back and forth between the two men. “Feuding?”
    Phineas pointed at his mangled fence and then glared at Jeb. “Katie Sue’s been at it again. First she tore down my fence to get to my garden, then she ate all the dandelion greens. After that she went straight for my rutabagas. And it’s not the first time. But it’ll be the last, fer sure.”
    Lottie did her best to cheer him up with a smile. “Well, here’s a bit of news that should cheer you up, fellas. We’re headed into town to put an advertisement in the paper about the melodrama.”
    “And we’re going to ask Augie to send the news out to other papers, all the way to New York,” Gilbert added. “Won’t that be fine? Just think of the ladies who will come. Pretty women. Single women.”
    Lottie groaned. “But remember, folks, this isn’t about bringing in brides. It’s about bringing in actresses for a play.”
    “Sure, sure.” Gil raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
    “Really?” Phineas’s expression changed at once. “You’ve decided to play along with him, Lottie?” He paused and then let out a raucous laugh. “ Play along with him. Ha!”
    Jeb slapped Phineas on the back. “Good one!” He turned his attention to Lottie. “But how did Gilbert talk you into it? Last night, well, I just figgered you’d heard enough to keep you from wantin’ to do anything with the likes of us.”
    Lottie slipped her arm through Jeb’s. “Aw, Jeb, you know I can’t resist you fellas for long. Besides, you know how convincing Gil can be.” The fluttering eyelashes that followed couldn’t be helped. “He showed me the error of my ways.”
    “Speaking of seeing the error of one’s