Ben grinned broadly at Toni as he took the bag she held out.  "Always like to be of service to a pretty woman."

Toni smiled sweetly and continued to hang bags about his person, "Follow me, I do appreciate a big strong man." She led him through the house to her kitchen and took the bags from him placing them on the kitchen counters.

"Well now," she said tilting her head, "I know you didn't come out here to carry in my groceries so what's going on Ben? Would you like a glass of iced tea?"

"Tea'd be much appreciated.  It's hot today."  He leaned against the counter as Toni poured the tea and handed a glass to him.

"And you're right; I didn't come out here just to carry in groceries, much of a pleasure as that was."  Ben tipped his glass at her.  "Liana'd keep me busy carryin' things around all day at home, if I let her."

"Actually, I came out here for her."  He took a sip from the frosted glass, wondering if Toni would think this wedding strange, as Miss Peeg and everyone else seemed to, so far.  "Don' know how much Liana's told you about us, but we got married pretty quick.  Just me, her, and a justice of the peace."  His eyes dropped to his glass and he swirled it around before meeting Toni's eyes again.

"I promised her a real weddin' once we got here and got settled, and I'm plannin' it right now.  Wanted to know if you'd consent to bein' her bridesmaid or maid of honor, or whatever it is you call 'em?"

Toni blinked, "oh well of course Ben I think the world of Liana I'm surprised she hasn't called about this, I mean I'll have to get a dress and all and I don't know what colors she's planning." Then it hit her, "you're planning?" Toni's eyes locked on Ben's.

Ben met her eyes without wavering.  "That's right.  I'm plannin'.  The whole thing's gonna be a surprise for her.  She won't know about it until we arrive at the church."

Toni sat her glass down on the counter and took a deep breath drawing up to her full five foot four inch height, "Ben if Richie had woke me up one morning and said I hope you don't have any plans for today because...I would have killed him on the spot. Now I'm not Liana but I'm not that far off the mark, I can understand you wanting to give her the wedding of her dreams of your dreams...but Ben I think you should let her in on the planning for cryin' out loud. There might be something she's always dreamed of having something that would be special to her. I like a surprise as well as the next woman but a wedding..." Toni shook her head and looked at him again...what was the man thinking? "There are things a woman does for her wedding...she gets herself prepared Ben...there are special things...this is not like a renewal of vows...you're going for the whole enchilada. A church wedding...you sort of dismiss the justice of the peace thing so this is the real thing...oh Ben." Toni reached out and placed her hand on his arm, "please think about this again, she'll want a dress..."

Ben's eyes had taken on a set, stubborn look, but he was still smiling.  "An' she'll have a dress.  It's already been ordered.  Beautiful dress.  Her favorite flowers have been ordered.  I know my Liana."  He was using that possessive work "my" again; the same as he had when he'd talked to Miss Peeg about Liana.

"This weddin' will be special, all right.  I know her.  She's gonna love this."

Toni saw the change in his eyes and walked off looking out at her garden through the French doors for a moment before turning, "Ben you can get angry with me if you want to I'd like to think we're friends and between friends there can be a difference of opinion and still the friendship is there. I admire you for a lot of things Ben...but Liana is not one of your prize possessions she's a woman that loves you." She shrugged, "you know me Ben I speak my mind. Liana is a very smart and intelligent woman given the chance she will be an equal partner to you...she has an inner strength to match yours. I think a lot of her and count her as a good friend I know she would come through for me as I would for her. You've gone and ordered her wedding dress which I am sure is elegant because that's what you'd do. You're not allowing her a chance to do anything for you. When I bought mine I had in my mind the vision I wanted to present to the man I love on our wedding day. Don't you see that you're taking all that away from her? You say you know her and what she likes and I'm sure you do for the things she's shown you but there is there has to be because you've not known each other for that long, many things you do not know things you've yet to discover." Toni ran her hand through her hair, "I'm sorry I know you didn't come here to hear all this," she lifted her chin.

"You're right, Toni," he told her softly, using her first name this time.  "Liana is smart and intelligent.  And strong-"  There Ben trailed off for a moment, thinking of how she'd stuck by him so far.  How she'd taken everything about life with him in stride.  "There might be a lotta women out there seem stronger than her, but looks can be deceivin'."

Sighing, he said, "Liana presents  the prettiest picture there is to me every day of the world.  Fancy dress or not.  I 'preciate you speakin' up for her, carin' about her.  But I still know what's right for us.  I'm not takin' anythin' away from her.  I'm doin' this for her."

Toni matched his soft tone, "I wouldn't presume to get in your business Ben I hope you know that I think Liana is a good match for you and I think you love her very much.. I would be happy to be her matron of honor if you still want me to be...would you like to pick out my dress and shoes?" she smiled walking back over to him, "I wear a size eight with a seven shoe, " she looked up at him and grinned.

"That's okay."  Ben returned her grin.  "Roberts is my lawyer now, and I wouldn't want him thinkin' I knew too much about his wife."

"As for colors, the flowers are gonna be blue, yellow, and white, so I was thinkin' blue or yellow might be a good color for you to wear.  Mrs. Meridius is handlin' the flowers and she says you can stop by and see her ay time.  Now, I wouldn't wanna step on your toes none, but this is the shop where I ordered Liana's dress."  He pulled out a business card and handed it to her.  "There's an account there in my name, so feel free to go there if you want.  If not, well-  You're independent.  It's up to you."

Laying his hand lightly on her arm, Ben met her eyes seriously.  "Thank you, Toni.  If I wasn't plannin' this as a surprise, I know that Liana would have asked you anyway.  You're the firs' one she met here at the Glen, and she considers you her friend."

"I am her friend Ben and yours too so don't say I didn't warn you if this all blows up in your face...I hope it goes as smoothly as you've planned and if there is anything I can do to help...I'm here. Oh ah I was wondering Ben exactly where you expected her to put on this wedding dress you've ordered I've been in the bathroom of that church and I know for a fact you can't swing a cat in there. You might think about telling her before you leave the house...just a suggestion because she'll need help with it." Toni smiled up at him and shook her head.

"I'm sure we'll work somethin' out," Ben told her smoothly.  "The preacher knows all about this, so I'm sure he'll be willin' to help me come up with somethin'."

As he headed for the door, Ben said, "If there's anythin' else you need, or you have anythin' you wanna ask me, I put my cell phone number on the back of that card.  Or-"  Again, he hesitated a moment. "-if you think of anythin' else you might wanna tell me."

His eyes softened slightly.  "I ain't claimin' to be the best in the world at doin' somethin' like this.  But I do wanna please her, so if there's anythin' else you think I should know-"

Toni looked at him a moment wondering if anything she had said had made its way through to him,  "Ben the only thing I can say is love her and give her the lead on her own horse." Toni wasn't sure where that had come from maybe it was the controlling possessiveness that he displayed over Liana, she'd seen it before and wondered if he even was aware he was doing it. "Good luck with this Ben, and if you get in a bind call me," she placed her hand lightly on his back as he went through the door.

In the car again, headed for home after a long day, Ben thought a lot about what Toni Roberts had said.  "Give her the lead on her own horse."  Maybe someday he'd be ready to do that.  Right now, he still wasn't sure that she wouldn't leave him.  Wasn't sure, still, if this kind of relationship was even possible for him.

Truth was, Ben knew that he didn't own Liana.  And, though he wouldn't admit it that scared him.  The only other time he could ever remember being scared in his life was as a child.  When that other woman had left him.  His mama.