My Lucky Groom

explore her budding relationship with Charles. He’d texted her all week in anticipation of this event, wanting to ensure that his plans for homemade pesto, wine, and cheese suited her taste. Ventura felt lucky to have met someone as nice as Charles and was sure that—given the chance to know him better—she would like him even more.
    They circled the Capitol building, heading for its West Lawn. “Ready for our big date?” Mary asked with a grin.
    “Yes, ma’am,” Ventura said, nudging Mary’s basket.

    The sun sank low as purple and orange ribbons of color streaked the horizon. Beyond the Reflecting Pool and the long expanse of lawn dividing the various museums, the Washington Monument rose proudly in the sky, its single red eye blinking like a beacon. A crowd of Capitol Hill staffers in khaki shorts strode by, mixing in with family groups representing different nationalities and kids waving miniature American flags. A light wind picked up as twilight fell. Ventura pulled a sweater from her bag and slipped it on.
    “How’s your wine doing?” Charles asked, motioning to her paper cup. “Care for some more?”
    “Just a bit,” she said with a smile. A group of Indian women in saris strolled by, the colorful fabric fluttering in the breeze. As the last swath of cloth sailed by, Ventura caught her breath. It was Richard, sitting not that far away with his two darling kids and a gorgeous, dark-haired woman. The adults sat on portable lawn chairs, smiling happily as the twins played on a blanket by their feet. Richard raised his cup to take a sip, his gaze locking on Ventura’s.
    “Have either of you seen the fireworks here before?” Jason asked the girls.
    “Only on TV,” Mary answered.
    “Then you’re in for a treat.” He followed Ventura’s gaze across the lawn. “Well, what do you know? There’s Richard.”
    Ventura bit her bottom lip. “Yes.”
    Charles looked at her pleasantly. “Do you want to go over and say hi?”
    Ventura returned her attention to her date. “Not just yet.”
    The National Anthem began to play, and everyone rose to their feet. After the dramatic ending, the sky behind the Monument suddenly exploded in color, accompanied by huge booms and spiraling squeals. “It’s gorgeous,” Ventura said in awe.
    Charles took her hand. “I was hoping you’d like it.”
    Jason stood with his arm around Mary, holding her close. “Anybody up for champagne?” Mary asked.
    Ventura stole a glance in Richard’s direction but couldn’t spy him through the crowd. “Champagne sounds great,” she said.
    Mary took the chilled bottle from its carrying case, dried it off with a towel, then unscrewed the wire holders that bound the cork. She struggled to work it free with all her might, but it wouldn’t budge.
    “Here, let me,” Ventura offered, flashing the boys a grin. Who wanted to be the weak woman asking guys to open the bubbly? She was strong enough to do it herself.
    She laid the towel over the cork and gave it a sharp tug. Pop! Whoosh! The cork rocketed out and hit Ventura smack in the forehead. “Ow!”
    “Oh my gosh , Ventura,” Charles said, leaning over her. “Are you all right?”
    She slowly raised her hand to her forehead, then winced at the pain. A huge knot was forming already.
    “Let me get you some ice,” Charles offered.
    “No, I’ll get it,” she said, handing him the bottle and standing. “The rest of you go on and get started.”

    Ventura walked back from the drink vendor, clutching a bag of ice to her brow as lines snaked from the refreshment stands.
    “Look, Dad!” Ricky called. “It’s Ventura.”
    Richard turned from where they stood in line, his face registering concern. “Ventura? What happened?”
    “It was just a little thing with a runaway cork.”
    She lifted the ice pack, revealing her welt.
    “Does it hurt too badly?”
    “I’ll be all right.”
    “I thought I saw you sitting over there with your boyfriend but wasn’t sure.”
    “Charles?”
    “Isn’t he the one who picked you up at the house? The one who took you boating?”
    “Yes.”
    He studied her a moment before speaking. “I guess it’s good we ran into each other this way. I’ve been trying to catch you all week.”
    “You have?” she asked with surprise.
    “But between meetings and your running the kids’ schedules, we always seemed to miss each other.”
    Ventura swallowed hard, fearing some sort of bad news was coming.
    “I wanted you to know I’m taking