Epilogue
On the second Saturday in March, Willa Rose was having trouble standing still for Yasmin to arrange sprigs of baby’s breath in the long, loose braid falling down her back. “Is Nicky alright? How about Tripp? Is he nervous?”
“Nicky is fine. Mary Jane is taking care of him,” Endora said.
“According to Brodie, Tripp is pacing the floor in Parker’s office,” Audrey answered. “Evidently, he’s about as nervous as you are. If you aren’t sure, we have time to run. I’ve got my pickup truck right outside, and we can be on a plane headed for sandy beaches in less than two hours.”
“No, I’m sure about being married,” Willa Rose said and smiled at Yasmin. “I have no regrets about my choices. What’s got me all antsy is the ceremony itself. What if I forget my vows? Or worse yet, what if Nicky cries while I’m saying them?”
“We’ve got everything under control,” Endora assured her. “You won’t forget your vows, and if you do, just speak from your heart. That’s all that matters anyway.”
Hank peeked inside the room and then came inside.
“You look beautiful, my child. I’m glad you are wearing your mother’s pearls.
” He reached inside his pocket and brought out a faded red velvet box.
“This is something blue from Vada. That last week when she knew that the time was drawing near, she gave this to me and said I was supposed to give it to you on your wedding day.”
Willa Rose opened the box to find a lovely sapphire ring that Hank had given Vada on the day that Willa Rose was born. “Daddy, you are going to make me cry.”
He gave her a sideways hug. “Don’t do that. You’ll ruin your makeup, and you don’t have time to redo it. The music that’s playing now tells me that the groom and his brothers are already going to the front of the church. Where are your bridesmaids?”
“You are my only one.” She smiled at her father.
“There’s too many of us sisters for her to choose just one or two,” Endora answered.
He crooked his arm. “I’m honored to be your Daddy of Honor.”
She looped her arm in his, and Yasmin handed her the bouquet of white daisies and baby’s breath. “I’m glad that Finn and I went to the courthouse last week, and I don’t have to remember vows. I could barely get out the ‘I do’ when the judge asked me if I promised to love him forever.”
“Okay, all of you, go take a seat. It’s about time for me and my Daddy of Honor to walk down the aisle. I’m so glad that Knox and the whole community have finished the church in time for the ceremony and reception. Everything looks amazing.”
Endora gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Yes, it does, and you are the first one to be married in the new, remodeled church. Welcome to the family, Sister.”
***
“Please welcome the new Callahan family, Mr. and Mrs. Tripp Callahan and their son, Nicholas Thomas Callahan,” Bo said into the microphone when they entered the fellowship hall.
“We are going to watch them cut the cake, and then Tripp and Willa Rose will have their first dance as a married couple. Right after that she will throw the bouquet, so while they are dancing, all you single ladies gather up over by the door. We are skipping a reception line and going right to the potluck buffet.”
Tripp handed Nicky off to Hank.
Willa Rose cut a small slice of cake and fed him a bite. “Bring back memories?”
“Lots of them,” he whispered as he put a small bite in her mouth. “Shall we have dessert first?”
“Not here in front of all these people!”
“You will keep me on my toes forever, won’t you?”
“Darlin’, you can count on it,” she promised.
He led her out into the center of the fellowship hall and took her in his arms. Bo hit a button and Elvis began to sing, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
“Perfect,” Willa Rose whispered.
After the dance was over, she took a couple of steps back and tossed her bouquet over her shoulder. Even though she didn’t know the blond-haired woman who caught it, she crossed the room to have her picture taken with her.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think we’ve met,” she said, “but then I’ve only lived here a while and I don’t know everyone yet.”
“I’m here with Bernie, and I’m not so sure I even want this bouquet. Do you want to toss it again?”
Knox came up and hugged Willa Rose. “Welcome to the family. If Tripp don’t treat you right, you come to me, and I’ll straighten him out.”
“Thank you, Brother,” she said with a grin and then turned back to the short blond holding the bouquet. “I still didn’t catch your name.”
Bo picked up the microphone and said, “The buffet line is open now. Y’all all help yourselves.”
“I’m a friend of Bernie’s from back in the days when she had the bar at Ratliff City. I had my first legal drink there when I was twenty-one,” she said.
“Let me make introductions,” Bernie said. “This is Knox Callahan, and this bride is his new sister-in-law, Willa Rose. And this”—she turned toward the lady beside her—“is Charlotte Johnston.”
Knox smiled. “Like the girl in the song, ‘Swingin’.”
“Nope, that was Johnson. My name is Johnston, with a T. I’m on my way down south of Wichita Falls right after this wedding. Starting Monday morning, I’ll be working with you, Knox. I’m your new partner and we’ll be framing houses together. My friends all call me Charlie.”
“Small world, ain’t it, Knox?” Bernie beamed.