My Lucky Groom

popping the tiny crescent apart. Her fingers trembled as they held the fortune and she read it aloud. “You are doomed to be happy in wedlock. I can’t believe that you found this,” she said, meeting his eyes.
    “I didn’t,” he replied with a soulful look. “I had it made.”
    “You what?” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “But why?”
    “You had it with you that day on the train. The fortune was brittle. I could tell you’d had it for a while. Nobody carries something like that around unless it means something to them . Now, I know—to most folks— doomed might sound like a bad thing…” His eyes sparkled. “But something tells me you didn’t take it that way.”
    “You really do know me,” she said, her voice cracking.
    “All I’m asking for is the chance to get to know you better — for many more years to come.” H e took a ring box from his pocket and pried it open. “I want to do this right, Ventura. For us to be a family.”
    Ventura stared down at the gorgeous solitaire glistening in the sunlight. “Richard, I can’t believe that you’d—”
    “Believe it. Please believe it…” He plucked the ring from its pillow and positioned it over her hand. “And then please say yes.” He dove into her eyes and Ventura’s heart melted. “You can work anywhere in the world you want,” he said. “At the end of each day, just promise you’ll come home to us.”
    She nodded, smiling through her tears, as he slid the ring on her finger. “I promise,” she said in a shaky whisper.

    Richard cradled her head in his hands, threading his fingers through her hair. His mouth met hers, and it was sheer heaven. Everything she’d longed for—his love, his sweetness and passion—came out in his kiss.
    Something knocked loudly from down below. “Hey! Can we come up now?” It was Mary’s voice, calling from the hull.
    “Wow,” Richard said with a laugh. “I’d nearly forgotten.” He gave Ventura another peck on the lips and glanced at her ring finger. “You won’t regret this,” he said, heading for the cabin door.
    To her amazement, Richard opened it, and Mary and Jason climbed up the ladder. Jason was carrying a big bag of Chinese food, as Ricky and Elisa followed.
    “I knew it!” Ventura proclaimed with a happy laugh. “I knew I’d smelled pork lo mein !”
    “Plus, extra fortune cookies,” Mary said with grin.
    Jason glanced at Ventura’s finger, then gave Richard a way-to-go smile. Mary stepped onto the deck in high heels, carting champagne. “I’m so happy for you, Ventura. The paper will go on without you, but something tells me a family in Old Town can’t.”
    Jason handed the bag of take-out to Richard, who held it toward the others. “Anybody hungry?”
    “Yeah!” Ricky and Elisa cried.
    As Ventura started to extract take-out cartons from the sack, the boat rocked.
    “Here, let me help,” Richard said, thrusting his hand in the bag.
    “That’s all right. I’ve got it.”
    “No, really!”
    They both tugged at the bag, and it tore down the middle. Cartons sloshed sideways and spilled open, drenching both of their life vests. Ventura and Richard stared down at their soiled clothing and burst out laughing.
    “ Doomed may be right!” Richard said with a hoot.
    Ventura hugged him tightly in spite of his messy apparel. “I love you so much.”
    He gazed down at her with adoring eyes. “I love you too.”
    The kids bounded toward them with giddy hoots and hollers, hugging them happily as well.
    “What happened to Jason and Mary?” Ventura asked.
    Richard motioned with his chin toward the bow of the ship, where Mary and Jason stood engaged in a rapturous kiss. “I guess they were inspired by the moment.”
    “Yes.” Ventura studied Mary’s four-inch heels, thinking she’d never learn how to dress for the outdoors.
    Just then, a motor boat tore by, kicking up wake and sending their sailboat rocking.
    “Whoa… Oh!” Mary cried, clinging on to Jason when her teetering heels began to slide .
    “I’ve got ya,” he said, holding her fast. But then his footing slipped as well. Ventura’s eyes went wide as the couple swayed first to the left, then to the right. “Oooh! Whoa!” Then, splash ! They flipped over the edge, resurfacing seconds later, bobbing about in their life vests. Mary sprayed Jason with water, laughing heartily. “You look terrible!”
    He splashed her back. “Your mascara’s running.”
    “Oh no!” She raised her hand to her