Married as a Dare? Sorry, It's for Life novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Welcome Home, Mrs. Sorensen

Bowen walked into the Grange hall on Saturday night with his hand in Nathan's.

He had not planned to hold it.

His fingers had just gone looking for it.

Nathan's hand closed on his and stayed.

The hall was full.

Bowen counted two hundred people before he stopped.

There was a banner across the stage in silver letters, WELCOME HOME, MR. AND MRS. SORENSEN, and a three-tier cake under it with two small plastic men on top.

Britt stood beside the cake in a white dress.

She saw him and lit up.

"There he is," she said into the microphone, and the room applauded politely. "My husband, everybody. And look who he brought."

A few people laughed.

Most didn't.

Behind Bowen, the doors opened again.

Dell came in first in her good coat, then the hygienist, and then the thin man from Dayton with his right hand in a cast.

The waitress with the gray braids carried a pie in a box and set it down on the welcome table with a bang.

The deputy from the welfare check stood by the exit with her thumbs in her belt.

Britt's smile stayed up, but her eyes counted.

"What a lovely group," she said. "I think there's been a misunderstanding in this county, and tonight is my chance to clear it up."

"Good," Bowen said. "I'll go first."

He walked down the center aisle.

He climbed the three stairs to the stage and held out his hand for the microphone.

Britt did not give it to him.

"Bowen," she said, low and sweet. "Honey. Don't."

"I'll take it, Britt."

He took it out of her fingers.

The room went very quiet.

Bowen had never spoken to more than ten people at once, and his mouth had gone dry.

He found Nathan's face in the third row.

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