Chapter 21 #2
Paisley finished dressing and was wondering what to do with her hair when the door to the bedroom opened, all her new friends coming in. Autumn, who would serve as her matron of honor, crossed the room and gave Paisley a hug.
“You look amazing,” Autumn praised.
“What are you going to do with your hair?” asked Kelby.
“I haven’t decided,” she admitted. “I usually wear it in a ponytail, but I wanted something different for the wedding.”
“Let me play around a minute with it,” Summer said. “Darby, you get off your feet.”
Darby waddled to a chair and sat. “At least I made it through the end of the semester. Let’s hope Sam doesn’t decide to interrupt your wedding,” she joked.
Summer asked Kelby to fetch some bobby pins and hair ties, and she began brushing Paisley’s hair.
“You have a gorgeous mane of hair,” she told Paisley. “This rich, chocolate brown color is to die for. Let’s hope at least one of your kids gets this shade.”
Summer tried sweeping it back and letting the soft waves fall. Then she worked it into a sleek chignon. Paisley liked both styles, but she wasn’t certain which to go with.
“Wait, I know,” Summer declared. “A fishtail braid.”
As Summer’s fingers worked, Paisley knew this was it, especially after Kelby presented her with a hand mirror and she used it to view the back of her hair. Her hair was loosely pulled back from her face, and the braid was not a tight one. Instead, it was loose and romantic.
“I love it,” she said.
“Tie a ribbon at the bottom,” Autumn suggested.
Kelby left again, returning with one, and Summer tied it at the end of the braid. “Perfect,” she said, admiring her work as she handed Paisley the mirror again.
“I agree. Thank you, Summer. I know Sawyer is going to like this.”
Summer laughed. “My cousin is crazy in love with you, Paisley. I’m not sure he’ll even notice your hair, but you’ll have pictures to show him when he comes out of his daze.”
She looked to Kelby. “Thank you so much to you and West for agreeing to host our wedding. I know everything is so last minute.”
“Not a problem,” Kelby assured her. “When love strikes, you want to be with that person as soon as you can so that you can begin your happily ever after right away.”
Summer interjected, “That’s what happens in all my books. My hero and heroine are so in love and ready to begin their lives together.” She smiled at Paisley. “Just like you and Sawyer.”
Meg appeared. “It’s close to time to start. Darby, honey, let’s get you settled. Jace is pacing the floor, worried about you, especially since you’re now past your due date.”
“First-time dad nerves,” Autumn said. “He’ll settle down once you’ve had Sam.”
“Did you bring Sarah?” Paisley asked Autumn.
“She’s with a sitter in Kate’s nursery,” her matron of honor replied. “Mom thought to hire a babysitter so Eli and I could enjoy the wedding. I know the reception is going to be low-key, so we may bring her in for a little of it.”
Meg and Summer helped Darby to her feet, and they left the bedroom.
“The ceremony will be held in the great room,” Kelby informed her.
“Luscious Layers delivered the cake a few minutes ago. Since today’s turned out to be so mild, we’ll let the reception spill out onto the patio.
Oh, and Shorty and Marge are set up in the kitchen.
They’ve brought sliced brisket, ham, and sausage links, with plenty of sides. ”
Tears stung the back of her eyes. “Thank you.”
Kelby gave Paisley a hug. “You make Sawyer happy. You’re one of us, Paisley. And family helps out whenever they can.”
A knock sounded at the door, and Autumn answered. Paisley saw Bill standing there, looking gaunt but happy. He wore a rosebud boutonniere.
“I’ve been sent to claim the bride,” he announced. “Sawyer’s getting antsy.”
“I’m all yours,” she told Bill as Autumn and Kelby left. “Thank you for agreeing to give me away. I know we haven’t known one another for long, but I’m grateful for your friendship. And the new job down the line.”
Paisley and Sawyer had both talked to Bill about her role with The Packman Foundation.
They agreed that after basketball season, Paisley would start attending the monthly board meetings.
Once the school year ended, she would assume responsibility as the CEO of the foundation.
Joe Sutherland, who served as the president of the trustees, had been taken into their confidence regarding these plans since Paisley would be leaving HHS.
Joe had suggested once basketball season ended that they sit down with West and discuss whom they would like to hire as the next head coach for the Lady Hawks.
She already knew she would suggest Hope Sewell for the position.
Bill led her down the hallway, and she paused a moment at the nursery. Kelby’s weekday nanny was sitting on the floor, encouraging Kate to crawl toward her. Another woman sat in the rocker, holding Sarah, whose eyes fluttered a few times and closed.
“That’ll be you one day,” Bill said quietly. “You and Sawyer will be terrific parents.” He smiled at her. “And don’t wait. You have a lot of love to share. Have your babies sooner rather than later.”
She grinned. “We’ll work on it. Starting tonight.”
They went down the stairs and through the large foyer, coming to the entrance of the great room.
It was crowded with others. Besides those she had already seen and their spouses, she saw her entire basketball team present, Hope standing proudly beside them.
Jen and her fireman stood next to Hope, and Dizzy and Miss Caroline were beside them.
Blanche Biggerstaff was arm-in-arm with her husband.
Happiness filled her, seeing this sea of smiling faces. Paisley had found a home, not only with Sawyer, but in Hawthorne.
Bill led her to her groom now, and she only had eyes for him. His caramel hair looked windblown, and his hazel eyes shone at her with all the love in the world. Bill handed her off to him after kissing her on the cheek and returned to stand with Ginny.
“Hey,” Sawyer said, smiling at her.
“Hey, yourself,” she answered, feeling giddily in love.
“Ready to get married?” he asked.
She nodded, her smile as her answer.
When Paisley turned to face Judge Stowe, though, the officiant wasn’t there. In his place stood Maggie, her coach from her playing days at Baylor.
“Maggie?” she asked, confused.
The older woman beamed at Paisley. “Sawyer thought I might want to be at your wedding. When I told him I was actually licensed to perform them, we agreed that I should officiate. I’ve got the best seat in the house.”
Paisley flung her arms around her former coach, hugging her tightly. “This means the world to me.”
Then she turned to her groom, who grinned lopsidedly at her. “Surprise.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “The best one yet.”
He slipped an arm about her waist, drawing her near, and Maggie began the ceremony. Paisley felt as if she were dreaming as they spoke their vows and exchanged rings. Then Maggie pronounced them husband and wife, and Sawyer turned to her.
“Hey, Mrs. Montgomery,” he said softly.
“Why, hello, Mr. Montgomery.”
Her groom turned to those gathered. “I’m going to kiss my wife now. Long. Deliberate. I may kiss her into tomorrow, so you might want to go and grab yourself a drink and even fix a plate. We’ll join you. Eventually.”
Paisley heard the laughter as Sawyer enveloped her in his arms. His kiss was long. Deliberate.
And the best one of her life.