Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson Read Free Book Online Page B

strong.” I pointed to the Confectionery, my favorite hangout next to Parma John’s. “They’ve got the best taffy on the island, if you’re interested in that sort of thing. And their ice cream is to die for.”
    “Want some?” Brock waggled his eyebrows, as if to taunt me.
    “H-how?” I wasn’t sure how he thought we could pull that off.
    Before I could say anything else, I heard a grunt from the backseat. “I know, I know.” Rob sighed and opened the back door. “What do you want?”
    Brock laughed. He gestured to Rob, saying, “He’s done this before.”
    “Clearly.” I nodded. “But it doesn’t look like he minds.”
    “I don’t,” Rob said. “But sometime today, okay? What do you guys want?”
    “Rocky road, man. And some of that taffy.”
    “What flavor?” Rob leaned in my window and gave me an inquisitive look.
    “Mmm. Cherry for me,” I said.
    Brock flashed a boyish smile and passed a fifty-dollar bill through my window.
    While we waited for Rob to return, Brock quizzed me about all sorts of things—things that took me by surprise. Turning in his seat to face me, he asked, “How long have you worked at the wedding facility?”
    “Oh, I’ve worked there for years helping my parents, but just took over managing the place early this summer.”
    “I saw one of your brochures. You do theme weddings.”
    “Right.”
    “That’s a pretty creative occupation, Bella.” He gave me an admiring look. “And being in the wedding business . . .” He let out an admiring whistle. “I think that’s pretty cool.”
    “You do?”
    “Sure. You make people’s dreams come true.”
    I felt my cheeks flush and tilted my head down to scratch Precious behind the ears, hoping Brock wouldn’t see my embarrassment. There was something about talking weddings with this guy that got me all flustered. Especially the part where he made me feel so good about what I did for others. It was fun making other people’s dreams come true.
    “I just like to think outside the box,” I said. “And apparently so do a lot of brides and grooms. You can’t believe how many calls I’ve had from people since we announced the theme weddings.”
    “Oh?”
    “Yes. We had a Boot-Scootin’ hoedown a few months ago. Now, of course, we’re having the medieval wedding. I’ve had several calls from brides interested in themed weddings, so it looks like we’re off to a great start.”
    “I think—if I ever found the perfect woman, I mean—that I’d like to have a pirate-themed wedding. Could you pull off one of those?” Brock gave me an inquisitive look.
    “Hmm.” I leaned back against my seat, thinking about the possibilities. “Would it require building a ship?”
    “Well, of course.”
    “Ah. I see.” After a pause, I added, “And would all of the guests have to fit on the ship too, or would that spot serve as a stage for the wedding party?”
    “Hmm. Just a stage. The bride and groom should have a special spot above the crowd, don’t you think?” He gave me a penetrating look, and I shifted my attention to the dog once again, my heart now thumping wildly. Brock could speak a million words with those eyes of his.
    “Right, right.”
    “I think it’s doable.” Brock began to fill my head with possibilities, laughter lacing his words. He explained everything— right down to the costumes everyone would wear and the lines the preacher would speak. “Arrr! By the power vested in me, I now pronounce ye mate and matey!”
    He went on in pirate-speak for a couple of minutes, and I finally joined in. Couldn’t help myself, really. There was something pretty mesmerizing about Brock Benson once he got rolling.
    By the time we finished, I’d pretty much decided he was right. I could pull off a pirate-themed wedding. With his help, anyway.
    I paused from our conversation for a moment, glancing out the window. In all of our chattering, I’d forgotten that I was supposed to be protecting Brock’s identity. With