Chapter 346: Tuesday
*This is just for you and me. The other wedding will be for our girls. – Shiloh*
Shiloh walked into the front office of the fab shop and did not miss the loud annoyed sigh from the woman behind the counter. Pagan had told her about Carrianne and admitted that if it wasn’t that she was so freaking efficient, he would certainly fire her.
But she kept the shop stocked with the iron and other metals that they needed. The other supplies and equipment were never low. Water and sports drinks were always on hand in the coolers and protein bars on the shelves.
Project schedules were laid out with monthly, weekly and daily time allotments. Custom jobs were priced and bid for a hefty profit while not discouraging the buyer. Phones were answered when they had to be, although she preferred emails. And those were responded to within a business day at the most.
Pagan knew that she did most of her work while she was at home, and he had no problems with it. Carrianne had told him once that if she didn’t do it at home, she would be reminded how empty her house was. Her husband drove a long-haul truck and was rarely home. Her children were grown and gone, two in the military, one in college and the last was working long hours as a resident in New York.
Shiloh had been warned before that Carrianne would see anyone entering the office as an interruption to her reading of her book. An interruption that she did not like. But Shiloh came prepared.
“Carrianne?” Shiloh sweetly.
“Yeah.” The woman answered and Shiloh heard the unsaid *who else would I be* in the woman’s voice.
“I’m Shiloh.” She held out her hand with long pointed black nails that were blood red underneath.
Carrianne looked at her cooly before finally taking the other woman’s pale hand. “Pagan’s woman.”
“Yes.” Shiloh dropped her hand and picked up the cloth bookbag from the Dragon’s Lair that was full of new books. Handing it over, she smiled at the older woman. “I heard that you like to read. If you don’t like any of these, Gertie said that she would exchange them.”
Carrianne looked at the woman in the thick leggings and Oleg Cassini suit. The black suit had been tailored to fit Shiloh’s body and silver spider webs added to the shoulders, pockets and cuffs. The buttons were silver and red gemstone spiders that matched the silk turtleneck shirt and socks at her platform Mary Janes.
“Thank you.” Carrianne said softly, shocked that this woman had thought to bring her a gift.
The door behind her opened and Pagan stepped out, smiling broadly. “Give me just a few to get cleaned up.”
“You’re good. We have a little time before the appointment.” Shiloh leaned over the counter to accept the kiss he offered.
“You look great.” He murmured.
“So do you.” She smiled at him, and he winked at her as he went into the bathroom to clean up.
“Where are you two going?” Carrianne asked, much nicer than she would speak to most people who interrupted her reading.
“We’re meeting my grandfather and cousin.” Shiloh smiled at her. “I had Gertie pick some of her favorites. Pagan said that you liked the paperback better.”
“I do.” She admitted as she started to pull out the books. Occasionally there was a soft ooh or awe.
Noticing the pocket on the side with the printed dragon laying in the middle of a hoard of books. Sliding her hand inside, her fingers touched the thick paper envelope. Looking at Shiloh in confusion, she slowly pulled it out.
Inside was a gift card of an unmarked amount.
“This is too much.” Carrianne objected.
Shiloh shook her head. “I’m going to ask that if anyone asks, you tell them that you don’t know where we’re going. Or even that we’re going together.”
“I don’t know where you're going. And to be honest, I don’t really care.” Looking at the books, she started placing them back in and making a stack of some that she wished to start sooner than later.
Pagan stepped back out in a button up shirt and a bag slung over his shoulder. “I’m leaving the car and my cut here. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“Why are you all-“ Carrianne’s eyes widened and she looked behind her at the shop door. Leaning towards the couple, she whispered hissed at them. “Are you two going to go get married?”
“Enjoy your books.” Pagan winked at her as put an arm around Shiloh’s shoulders and walked out to her hearse. He slipped into the passenger seat and grinned at Shiloh. “After we’re married, can I drive your rat rod?” He asked as it purred to life.
“After the official wedding.” She grinned back as she put the transmission in gear and pulled out of the shop parking lot.
“I can live with that.” He agreed as they drove over to the courthouse in Monroe.
He remembered from the first time that he got married that the state required a three-day waiting period. He thought that they were here to fill out the application and file for a marriage license. Still, she had asked him to dress nicely, and he did.
Shiloh parked on the south side of the courthouse, and they walked into the building holding hands. The deputy on duty waved them through the metal detector and to the elevator.
“I always feel like this old thing is going to fall.” Pagan admitted quietly as the metal box slowly trekked upwards.
Shiloh giggled. “So do I.”
The elevator stopped on the fifth floor, and they stepped out. Looking around, he thought that they should be on the third floor for the marriage license.
“Shiloh.” Nico called and they turned towards his voice. He said something in Italian and she blushed before she responded.
“I’m seriously going to have to learn Italian.” Pagan grumbled with a smile.
“Sorry, my friend. I was telling her that she looks beautiful. *Bellissimo* in Italian.” Nico kissed Shiloh’s cheek and then Pagan’s. “She is a *bella ragazza*, a beautiful girl.”
“That she is.” Pagan agreed as they all entered the small office.
“There she is.” Nonno said. His smile was wide and his love for his granddaughter was obvious. As was the pride that he had for her. He also kissed both of their cheeks before shaking Pagan’s hand. “She loves you.”
“I love her.” Pagan replied as he squeezed her hand.
The older man looked at the couple. “Love each other. Take care of each other.” His eyes went to Shiloh’s. “Protect each other.”
Even though she was smiling, she gave a small nod that was authoritative. “*Sì, nonno. Lui è il mio intoccabile. Lui e le sue figlie sono miei.*”
"Yes, he and his daughters. Always." Nonno gave a small nod as he moved out of the way for the other person in the room to step forward. The justice of the peace smiled at the couple.
“I understand that you will not be exchanging rings today, no?”
“That is correct.” Shiloh agreed.
Ten minutes later, Pagan walked out of the courthouse holding his wife’s hand. He had the paper in his other hand showing that they were married. The waiting period had been waived and he was sure that Nonno had made a large donation to the judge’s reelection campaign.
As he had looked at the paper, he saw Nonno and Nico’s full names. His suspicions had been confirmed. It did not change the way he felt. He still loved her.
When they were back at the house, Shiloh took his hand in hers.
“I know you saw the family name.” she said quietly.
Pagan cupped her cheeks and kissed her gently. “It’s you that I love. Not your family.”
“I don’t want to be *her* anymore.”
“You’re not. Now you’re Shiloh Goode.”
