This is for you Roy on your dedication to the stories you have written. Sit back and enjoy this one.


Roy had been sitting at his typewriter trying to find something to put in the Hooterville Guardian.  And he looked up and saw Sam staring at him.

"Hey Roy.. "

"Yeah"

"So what gives?"

Roy shook his head."I don't know.. "

"Something eatin' at ya?? Sam pulled up a chair. "Listen.. I'm sensing something you haven't told me."

Roy sighed."Alright.. I'm getting married  in a week."

Sam had a big smile on his face."Well finally... you don't know how happy that makes me."

Roy tried not to smile."I know that Kate had a list of women she wanted to fix me up with."

"That's it.." Sam pulled out the list."She kept trying to ask me to give it to you."

"Mmm.. well. I found someone. and she's everything I need."

"Is that right?" Sam leaned back in the chair. "So how long has it been going on?"

"A year at least."

"You've done a good job of keeping silent."

"I know it."Roy put down the stack of papers."I do need time to go on my honeymoon."

"I have to find a replacement you know that."

"Sure I do."Roy got up."My bride to be has a good job.."

"Well does she want you to work with her?"

'We haven't talked on that."

"You know what.. it would be great if you could bring her to the Valley."

"She'd like that."Roy was trying not to smile."She lives in Crabwell Corners."

"Mm.. it gets better all the time."Sam went out in the store to stack the supplies.

Roy couldn't think and he figured he had to tell someone else.  And he walked out and saw Kate coming in.

"Roy.. are you okay?" Kate grabbed Roy's arm.

Roy nodded."Kate.. I'm getting married one week."

"You are?" Kate had a smile."Is this a surprise or what!"

Roy shook his head."Ah don't.. plan anything.. "

"Roy.. would you let us.. do something.. we all love you." Kate had tears in her eyes. "Even if you are elopin'..."

Roy sighed."Well okay.. but not a big deal.. she's shy."

"I see."Kate looked away

"Kate.. hey.. don't start to cry on me."Roy whispered

"The Guardian is your baby..  you started on putting it together for Sam...  it wasn't anything until you gave it your touch."

"I didn't realize.."

When Kate walked in the store, she saw Sam. And so Sam looked at her and saw her face with tears. "Ah Kate."

Kate leaned into Sam and sighed."What now?"

"Let Roy do the telling."

It was night and Roy sat there... and he looked around..  he had packed all his stuff in boxes.. but his heart wasn't there. Still. he had to talk to her..  what to do. Roy wasn't going to change his mind on this new plan in his life. And he had his friends in the Valley to make the announcement. So he decided to put in the paper and hope for the best.

Sam agreed.. that the announcement would be put in the day after the wedding.

Nothing else..  let them wonder on the rest.. by the time the wedding was over.. he would take Kate up on her offer to do something. And he didn't want anyone to call him on when it was. The arrangements had been made to get the license, flowers, music. And he talked to the  judge himself. No witnesses at all.  Even the choice of a honeymoon had come up. Roy just wanted it all so quiet. And even the name of his intended.

Roy had spoken to Sam that day on taking off.. he had to have quiet to be thinking. So he called her and talked to her..  she was happy and chattering. Roy smiled..  well.. I'm so lucky to have you. And he would have a family too. But as for his job.. what to do? She told him it was okay to keep it. Roy would be taking the train then every day to the store. Still... he had to do more.

The day before the wedding... Roy was putting things in a box and turned to see Kate. "Kate."

"Roy, listen.. we told a few people we had something planned but since your announcement isn't in the paper yet..  look.. it's not a big deal."

"Alright.. when do you want us?"

"When is good for you two?"

"Make it two days after the wedding.. say.. four in the afternoon?"

The day came for the wedding. Roy talked to his bride and she and he made sure they had all the arrangements..  the flowers... a small cake.. and the judge. Then the rings..  and the vows.. they wrote to each other..  Roy looked at his bride to be.. he thought she was beautiful.   the judge was happy to see two people in love..   and he added..  "Now you may kiss the bride."   All Roy heard was that line and he immediately kissed his new bride..   he took her hand in his.. "Well.. honey..  you want that honeymoon?" 

Roy's bride nodded and said that one night was okay. Roy sighed."Well I want you to meet my folks in Hooterville..

Roy's bride smiled."Sure that sounds so nice."

Roy was happy with the place for the honeymoon. And they had a nice time.. As far as honeymoons go. Since Roy had not had one.. he thought it was wonderful. They took walks and talked. And just sat there.. still.. they held hands and kissed. Roy was pleased now and in love with her so much.

The day came to go to Hooterville. Roy and his bride got on the train. Floyd and Charley kept trying to sneak looks at the two. Roy made sure his bride didn't show her face.  Floyd sighed."Well what I see...  that gal has nice hair."

"I'm sure Roy picked someone special."

"Everyone is buzzing with this story of the wedding." Floyd smiled. "Still.. its going to be the talk of the valley."

Roy thanked the two when they got off. The engineers had to stop the train. They knew that Kate had  invited a few people that knew Roy. And so  when Roy took his bride's arm up to the steps... it was so quiet.

Inside the hotel.. Kate had decorated the lobby and she had put the girls to work. She asked them to help and plan a small list of people.. Still it was work.. but she enjoyed this..   Betty Jo stood there and held her hands.

"I can't imagine..."

"Well honey.. if he's happy."

"And I wanted to set him up."Betty Jo whispered

Bobbie Jo smiled and took the dishes."As did I."

"I'm sure we had good intentions."

Kate walked out and looked at the few guests."Soon Roy and his bride will be in that door. All I want is everyone to come in here.."

At that second.. Roy and his bride walked in.. no one was in sight. "Did we have the wrong day?" Roy sighed.  And soon he heard "Surprise!"   Kate walked out and held her hand out."So.. we finally meet you...  "

Roy's bride smiled at everyone."I'm so happy to meet you all."

Roy had to make the introductions...  and he looked at his bride..  "This is my Lynda."

All the guests.. held a glass and made a toast to Roy...  and Lynda..

Kate smiled at them. Sam sighed."Alright.. you've been off for three days... when are you coming back?"

Roy looked away."If it's okay.. I could come back in a few days..  maybe start a new column... one for honeymooning couples?"

Sam laughed."Sure you can."

Betty Jo looked at Roy" Well hey.. that sounds great." she took Steve's arm."

"Darling we're not on our honeymoon."

"So. .. who cares?" Betty Jo whispered "I just love to see everyone happy."

Bobbie Jo and Billie Jo looked away.  Roy looked at them."What is it?"

Bobbie Jo smiled at him."Orrin and I are engaged."

Kate looked at the others."Now that's good.. I can plan another wedding."

Roy smiled at Lynda."See I told you.. aren't they all great?"

And to that he held up his glass..."To my new bride and all my friends..  I love you all."


THE END...


Sue L.