The Planning Begins
Toni was having a time trying to corner Richie into picking a place for the wedding. He always had somewhere to go or something to do. They met for lunch at the Tavern.
“Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?” she asked
“Um…no not really why?”
“Hah well good, you’re mine for the rest of the day Mr. Roberts, because I do have plans for you.”
Richie leered across the table, “that sounds good.” Obviously he was thinking of something else.
“I hope you think so love because we are going to make a decision today about where we’re getting married.”
“Oh…why can’t we just go into Coffs and find a JP or something?”
“Because we can’t.” she grinned. “We need a real wedding.”
“Okay you can have whatever you want, I mean that Toni.” He placed his hand over hers.
“Outside, I think, we need to find a place outside.”
“What if it rains?”
Toni narrowed her eyes. “It wouldn’t dare.”
After lunch they went home, changed into walking shoes and walked their property. There was a path that ran along the right side of the house, down through the woods and they followed it for awhile enjoying being outside and each other.
“We’re not getting married out here in the woods are we?” asked Richie turning to look back toward the house. “A little out of the way don’t you think?”
“Yeah, I guess it is. It’s nice though isn’t it? First time we’ve had a chance to explore.”
“I wonder how far it goes…I hear water.”
“That should be the creek,” said Toni.
“Is that the end?”
“Whatsa matter city boy?”
Richie grabbed her around the waist, “I ain’t a city boy anymore.”
Toni laughed. “You’re doin’ okay out here Richie you know I worried about that when we moved here.”
Richie pulled her down on a bench. “You shouldn’t have. I could be anywhere as long as you’re there.”
“And I couldn’t be anywhere without you.” Sealed with a kiss, Toni leaned against him. “Wonder where that goes?”
“Ah we’re off again…”
A little fork in the path took them to a clearing with a nice view.
“This would be perfect if it were closer to the house.” Toni looked around and sighed.
Richie looked around. “Toni there’s a place in the village with a view similar to this. I noticed it when I stopped and picked up Jim on the road one day. It’s just past the boarding house.”
“Really, and you didn’t tell me?”
“I didn’t know what you were looking for.”
“Well let’s go back and have a look then.”
Richie parked the car at the boarding house. They walked a short distance up the road to the spot where Richie had mentioned.
“What do you think?” he asked
“It’s level and there’s parking back there. I think it just might work. I’d want a tent I think, some chairs and a podium for whoever marries us. That’s another thing we have to find.” She turned and put her arms around him.
“There’s so much to plan and figure out. We have to have food, drinks, clothes…rings…a string quartet.”
“A what?”
“Music you know…a string quartet.” She looked up him and grinned.
“How about a duet?”
“A string duet? I’ve never heard of such.”
“I’ll take care of that and you do the rest.”
“No way Richie you’re gonna help with all of it.”
“Honeymoon, are we gonna have one?”
“Oh yes, got my Victoria Secret catalog all bookmarked.”
“You have secrets I don’t know about?” he said teasingly
“Um hm. You’ll find out on the honeymoon. All shall be revealed.”
“Let’s just go to Coffs and get married,” he tried again.
