Paradise Found by Dorothy Vernon

big disappointment it would be to me. I want this wedding to be perfect, and it wouldn’t be with Tony on crutches.’ She paused. Zoe switched from viewing the smirk on Matt’s face in time to see the speculative look that touched Nerissa’s features. ‘I hope this isn’t too indelicate a question, Zoe, but it’s something I must ask. You seem to be in an inordinate rush about things. Is there any desperate need for you to get married quickly?’
    Now who wasn’t showing consideration? The woman could have asked when they were alone. ‘No,’ she said as a hot flood of color stung her cheeks.
    * * *
    The preparations had been masterminded by Matt, so everything was going predictably smoothly. A wheelchair had been at their disposal at the airport to transport Tony through the formalities and onto the plane. Another wheelchair would be there when they touched down to take Tony to the car that would be waiting for them.
    â€˜You don’t look too happy, darling,’ Tony said, taking her hand and looking ruefully at the lone ring on her finger. ‘Disappointed that it isn’t our honeymoon?’
    It wasn’t disappointment that had wiped the smile off Zoe’s face but fury at Matt’s whispered aside on parting. ‘Keep Tony’s delicate condition in mind, and don’t do anything that might put a strain on it.’ She wasn’t going to tell Tony that, so she sidestepped by counter questioning, ‘Aren’t you?’
    He gave her hand an extra squeeze. ‘You know I am; I’m as disappointed as hell. What a silly thing to do,’ he said, looking grimly at the ungainly plaster cast stuck out in front of him. The air authorities had been marvelous, ensuring a seat with extra room and providing a leg rest.
    â€˜Cheer up, Tony. I’m sure you didn’t get drunk deliberately.’
    â€˜I didn’t even know I was getting drunk. You know how it is. Everyone wanted to buy me a celebration drink, and it would have seemed churlish to refuse.’
    â€˜And you certainly didn’t fall down the steps at the Ace of Clubs on purpose,’ Zoe said laconically.
    It was odd to see Tony’s self-assurance slip as he stammered, ‘No . . . I . er . . . no, I didn’t.’
    He was behaving like a small abashed boy. Which was reasonable, she supposed. He undoubtedly felt like an absolute fool for spoiling everything by such a stupid act, and her own fingers, still within his, strengthened their clasp. The look that came to his eyes was a cross between gratitude and wonder.
    â€˜I must say, you’ve been fantastic about this. Most women would have ranted and raved and never let up. And you haven’t said one word of condemnation.’
    â€˜What would be the point? Anyway, I think you’ve paid dearly enough in physical discomfort.’ She knew that he was in a lot of pain still. She would have known by the look on his face, even if his constant moanings hadn’t reminded her of the fact. Men were poor invalids.
    â€˜I’ve really been through the mill,’ he grumbled. ‘But it’s right what they say, no matter how bad a thing seems to be, some good invariably comes out of it. It’s made me realize what a treasure I have in you. Not that I didn’t appreciate you before, but this has made me see how truly wonderful you are. I’m a lucky man, Zoe.’
    The smile she gave him was warm. Away from Matt, beyond the reach of his magnetism, she found she was rediscovering why she had first been attracted to Tony and why she had said she would marry him. His personality wasn’t necessarily weaker than Matt’s—although, come to think of it, everybody’s personality was weaker than Matt’s—Tony had come out of a softer mold. After a surfeit of Matt’s granite strength there was something very appealing about Tony’s human vulnerability.
    She was more than a