But Never Doubt I Love

By Felicia Ferguson

See intro for disclaimer.

Shane

Shane looped her purse over her arm and pushed through the employee entrance. Brow furrowing, she gave Oliver's Jag a final glance as he pulled out of the parking lot. There definitely was something still on his mind, but maybe it had more to do with their wedding and an unattached item delivery now being scheduled for the same day. Shaking off her concerns, she focused on her mental to-do list.

As she neared the DLO, she spotted a teenager with garment bags draped over his arm. "Can I help you find someone?"

The teenager cleared his throat and flicked a nervous glance around the busy sorting area. "Yeah, that'd be great. Who knew the post office was so busy back here?" He pulled out his trackpad and tapped a few times. "I'm, um, looking for an Oliver O'Toole who works in some place called the DLO?"

Shane glanced to the large letters emblazoned on their double doors right behind him and shook her head. "That's my department." Her eyes dropped to the bag. "Oh, is that his tux?"

The teen checked his trackpad again. "Yeah. Is he here to sign for it?"

Shane shook her head. "Oh, no, he just left, but I'm Shane McInerney, his fiancée. I can take it." Her eyebrows lifted in a question. "You should have my dress in the delivery as well?"

"Oh, yeah. Thought I read something about this being a two-part delivery. Let me just confirm." He scrolled down his screen. "Yeah, here it is. Tux for Oliver O'Toole and a dress for Shane McInerney. Both at the DLO." He glanced up and unclipped a plastic pen from the side of his trackpad. "I'll still need you to sign."

Shane took the stylus and signed in both places then slipped the garment bags over her own arm. With a wave, she headed into the DLO and hung them on the coat rack by Oliver's desk. Biting her lip, she glanced over her shoulder. Oliver couldn't see her wedding dress before the actual day, but nowhere had she read she couldn't see his tux.

She set her purse on his desk then unzipped the bag marked O'Toole. Her heart skipped a beat as her mind faithfully replayed the first time she'd seen him in a tux. It had been in this very room, right before the postal ball. She'd covered well, but her heart had skipped a beat then too.

And, then there was Rita and Norman's wedding. Her fingers played with the black bowtie that draped over the pants hanger under the white tuxedo shirt. He wouldn't be trading this one out for an ugly green tie ever again. A soft smile flickered over her lips. She'd remember his heartfelt proposal and the tender love in his eyes forever. In less than twenty-four hours, I will be Mrs. Shane McInerney O'Toole. Wow.

A ring from her purse broke her reverie. Shane re-zipped the garment bag and tugged out her phone. "Hey, Rita, what's up?"

As Rita recounted Charley's going into real labor and their trip to the hospital, Shane mentally rearranged the evening. Canceling dinner would ensure she had enough time to completely clear off their desks before the wedding. And maybe this way she and Oliver could have a bit of pre-wedding alone time? A final evening of simply being engaged before they set out into a lifetime of wedded bliss.

Rita heaved a sigh of relief as she wound up her story. "Okay, but we'll see you at the wedding. How did it go at the station today?"

"Oliver and I actually found Owen's mom during our visit to his father's old station. She's now a firefighter there. We're going to deliver Fred to Owen tomorrow morning at his house before he leaves for his next round of treatment. Do you think you can be there?"

"We wouldn't miss that. Just text me the location, and we'll be there."

Shane ended the call with assurances she'd send the text, then narrowed her eyes as the rest of the dominos fell into place in her head. Tapping over to her contacts, she found Joe's cell number.

"Hey, Joe. So, change of plans. Rita and Norman are at the hospital with Charley, our temp who is pregnant—and now in real labor."

"Oh, boy."

"Actually, it's a girl, but that means they'll miss dinner tonight. And I still haven't finished my calls to get everything set up for Fred's delivery tomorrow, so I need to stay here. The last thing I want is for this to push the wedding back. A honeymoon is one thing, but Oliver and I are getting married tomorrow, and neither of us will be thinking about work while we're saying our vows."

Joe chuckled. "Well, your future husband is already here talking with your mom."

Shane took in a quick breath. "And both are still alive?"

"Well, last time I checked, they were sitting on your porch steps talking."

"That's a good sign, I think."

"Yeah, so do you want us to hold dinner for you?"

"No, I'm not really hungry anyway—too excited about tomorrow. But did you get Dumbarton Oaks wrapped?"

Joe lowered his voice. "Wrapped and in my truck. But Sharon and I still need to head to the church to finish your gazebo."

Shane rolled her eyes then shook her head. It's Mom's way of being a part of the wedding. "Well, then, could you send Oliver back to the DLO with it? Since we have Owen's delivery tomorrow morning, I don't think there will be enough time to give it to him before the ceremony."

"I'd be happy to."

"Oh, good!" Shane twirled around, relishing in the joy and thrill at seeing Oliver's face when he opened it. "I'm so excited tomorrow is finally almost here."

"I know, honey. I love you."

"Love you, too, Joe." Grinning, she tapped End and set her phone down on her desk.

She couldn't believe she'd actually found Dumbarton. And that Mrs. Genzinger had kept him all these years. How could she have known Oliver would one day want and need him back? "Oooh, maybe he can come to the wedding. Joe could get him a little cummerbund and tie. He would be so cute!"

Her phone rang, pulling her from her gleeful planning and back to the business at hand. Another firefighter was returning her earlier message. That made four confirmed. Time to knock out the rest of the list.

An hour later, calls made and Owen's delivery on schedule, she clicked over to her email and confirmed the flight and tickets tomorrow night. We are actually going to. . .London! And maybe while they were there they could stop over to Stockholm? Outside of scheduling several museum tours, she'd left days open for them to have plenty of time to. . .relax. A frissom of sensation skirted over her skin. Or whatever. So, a balloon ride might be a possibility. Imagine finally checking off an item on my bucket list and with Oliver for company.

Speaking of Oliver. . .She glanced at the clock. No telling what time he'd arrive, but she could use the wait to try on her going away dress. She'd fallen in love with the flowing skirt and silk fabric while she'd waited for Oliver to select his tux and decided to splurge despite the price tag. She'd only be going on a honeymoon once. Might as well get something special for the occasion. Unzipping the bag, she slid her fingers over the smooth fabric, savoring the feel against her skin.

She slipped it on and twirled as giddy dreams circled in her head. Two weeks away with Oliver. No work, no worries, and finally married to the love of her life. As he once said, "God is in his universe, and all is right in the world."

The DLO doors squeaked open, tugging her back to the present. But still, her heart leapt. Oliver had arrived.