The Borrowed Groom. Judy Christenberry

outgrown those jeans she’s wearing.”

      Melissa smiled. Terri’s jeans were skintight. Rob was apparently getting into the spirit of shopping. With a nod, she and Terri set out to shop till they dropped.

      When she realized how long they’d been gone, a little over an hour later, she hurried them back to the ice-cream store, feeling very guilty. Their hands were full of packages, having found the proper underwear and five outfits, most of them on sale.

      She was amazed at the patience on Rob’s face. He was still sitting at the corner table. The little girls, strapped in their strollers, were sound asleep.

      “I’m so sorry,” she whispered as she sat down beside him. “I didn’t intend to stay gone so long, but we—”

      “Oh, Dad, wait until you see what I bought!” Terri said eagerly, starting to open some of the packages.