Reese sat in her car, waiting in the orphanage parking lot for Blaine to arrive. When his truck pulled up, she was confused. Why was there someone in the passenger seat? As he parked and she got out of her car to meet him, she saw exactly what was going on. She glared at Cassandra as she got out of Blaine's car.
"Cassie volunteered to be look out," Blaine explained apologetically before Reese could even think of what question to ask.
Reese frowned, but tried to make the best of it. "I told Annie I would meet her for lunch, so we're going to meet at her office and then walk over to the cafeteria. I was thinking you should wait about 5 minutes or so before you go in."
"Got it," Blaine replied, optimistically.
Reese took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. "I hope this works."
"It will," Cassandra spoke up. "Just make sure you have an excuse to go back into the office before you go to the cafeteria."
"Why?" Reese asked.
"When you first go out, she'll start to lock the door. But if you make an excuse to go back in, she'll forget to lock up the second time."
They both looked at her skeptically.
"What if she doesn't forget."
"She will," Cassie said confidently. "Just do it."
Reese looked doubtful, but said, "Ok," just to humor her and went inside.
"Dr. Wilton," Amanda called out as she and Andrew walked around the corner towards the front of the courthouse. "We aren't too late, are we?"
"No, not at all," Edward replied, stepping forward to greet them both with handshakes. "I'm glad you could make it. I'm sorry I didn't call you myself, but didn't have your phone number."
"Oh, don't worry about it," Amanda replied, with forced cheerfulness.
"And please, call me Edward or Ed. We're going to be family soon . . . very soon," he added as he saw Vanessa's car park in front of the building. "There they are."
Amanda grimaced when she saw Vanessa walking towards them with Alma. As they got closer, she forced herself to put on a cheerful face for Alma's sake.
As Edward gazed at Alma, he was momentarily at a loss for words. "Alma, you look . . .beautiful. Just truly beautiful."
Alma turned away demurely, "Thank you."
"Are you ready?" he asked offering his hand to her.
She smiled, took his hand in her own and answered, "I'm ready."
"You've done an excellent job organizing everything," Lucy said after Justin finished detailing the plans for Pheasant Run's upcoming events.
"Some of it was Mrs. Burgess' doing," he said modestly.
"Not much of it I bet," Lucy mumbled.
"I am so sorry she backed out when there is so much going on. I tried to convince her to stay on."
"I appreciate that, but it's really alright. Now that I know what she's really like I'm glad that she's not part of my mother's country club anymore. One good thing to come out of my father's scandal is that I know now who my real friends are."
She smiled at Justin, trying to stay positive. "I'm sorry if your association with me and my family lost you your job. I hope no one will hold that against you in the future."
"I doubt it will be a problem, ma'am."
"I'd offer you your old job back, but-"
"It's alright," he said before she could continue her thought. "I couldn't accept even if you were to offer."
She nodded quickly and stood up. "I should get going if there's nothing else to discuss."
"No, I think that's everything, ma'am. Will you be attending the play this weekend?"
"Oh, I don't know. I hadn't thought of it. Maybe. I'll try to make it."
"Perhaps I'll see you then."
"Perhaps."
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