“Of course, you will.” I paused. “Look, Archie. You might think I’m saying this because I’m sour on marriage, and at the moment I have to say, I’m not the biggest fan. If you didn’t have kids, I’d say go on and get married and have yourself a ball. But you do have kids.”

“And? What are you saying?”

“Well, in our family, we have the opposite problem. Our father just walked out one day and never came back. And there’s not a day that goes by that Momma, Holly, and I don’t relive the sting of it.”

“No, I’m sure it has had a huge impact on all of you.”

“I think what I’m saying is that whether the family member is leaving the tent or joining the tribe, all the members of the tribe deserve deep consideration.”

“Leslie, you’re the first person I’m telling. The boys don’t even know. I’m going to ask Sharon to be my wife. We’ll get married right here in my backyard the week after Easter. If she’ll have me, that is.”

The news was going to break Holly’s heart, and the boys were going to be devastated. What could we do to stop this wedding from happening?

“Wow. I don’t know what to say. It’s such a surprise. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re quite certain?”

“I am very certain. She loves me and she wants to make me happy. What else could I want?”

“Listen, Archie, I’ve never laid eyes on the woman. I’m sure she’s perfectly wonderful. Too bad she got to you first, is all I’m saying.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think you know exactly what I mean. Holly and I and even the queen want nothing more for you than to be happy. But we want the same thing for Tyler and Hunter. None of us would think less of you if you changed your mind or went a tiny bit slower.”

“I hear you. I’ll think about what you’re saying. But Sharon and I knew each other before we knew each other, you know, in another lifetime. I think we’ve been together through many lifetimes.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin deliberately and placed it on the table, signaling the end of conversation on the topic. “Now, did I see a cake?”

“Sure thing,” I said and got up to cut a slice for him. “So you believe in reincarnation?”

“One hundred percent.”

“No kidding. Wow. Well, I’ll have another glass of wine, if we have any left.”

I put a plate with cake in front of him and put his dinner plate in the sink with mine. Things were not going as planned.

Chapter 10: Holly Grabs the Mike Back

I was out in my apiary singing to my bees, “Honey bee! You stung the heart of me . . .”