Chapter 16 Cindy #2
“I know,” she whispered helplessly.
“And a neon sign?” he asked gently. “I thought we didn’t do neon.”
“We don’t,” she said. “Apparently, we do tomorrow.” A sob caught in her throat.
“Why am I doing this, Jack? Why am I letting this become about work and not us? It makes me feel like I can’t do either one right—I’m a lousy manager and an even lousier bride.
I just wanted this to be about our second chance and now…
it’s work. The one day I don’t want to work! ”
Tears dribbled down her cheeks as he took her hands in his much stronger, more capable ones.
He listened with the stillness that she loved so much about him, occasionally wiping her tears or squeezing her hands.
“Cin, you are an amazing businesswoman,” he said quietly.
“You built something beautiful, and you take care of people better than anyone I know. But we’re getting married and we get to make the day what we want it to be.
Not what somebody on the internet thinks will trend.
Tell her to fly a kite and film that instead. ”
She wanted to say yes. She wanted to say yes and delete the list and run outside with him and laugh all the way to their rehearsal dinner. Instead, she stood to gather her thoughts, fast and sudden, her shoulder slamming into the floating shelf and rattling it—
Jack sucked in a breath just as she saw the snow globe teeter. On the edge of the shelf, her beautiful glass gift tumbled sideways, falling through the air.
Time stretched, thin as ice, and the globe moved in slow motion—the tiny bride and groom under the trellis frozen in their forever, glitter suspended around them like a promise about to shatter on the hardwood floor.
She and Jack lunged in the same instant, hands colliding in midair with a gasp. Their fingers wrapped the cold glass together. It shocked her—the weight, the suddenness, the simplicity of catching the treasured gift before it hit the floor.
They stood there, both breathing hard.
Cindy looked up at him, her eyes burning. The globe felt heavy and pure and…saved.
“Jack,” she said, and her voice cracked on his name. “I almost wrecked it. I almost lost…everything. I almost did the same thing that broke us up the last time—putting work before us.”
He looked at her, a storm of emotions in his dark eyes. “But you didn’t. We caught it just in time.”
Still holding the snow globe, they slowly straightened, as if the weight of the moment pressed on their shoulders.
Gently, like it was made of, well, glass, they set it on her desk.
“I’m sorry,” she said, the words tumbling with the same speed as that near-miss.
“I’m so sorry I got so wrapped up with Dominique and social media that I forgot what this is.
I’m sorry about the trellis. I’m sorry I let her make me feel like we had to trade our story for a reel.
It’s our wedding, and I let it become her show. I’ll call her now and cancel.”
Jack’s face softened, lines of worry and humor and love etching deeper in ways she wanted to memorize.
“I have a better idea.”
She looked up at him. “What is it?”
“A surprise.”
She inched back. “I almost just broke the last one you gave me.”
“You won’t break this one,” he said. “Here’s what I want you to do, okay?
Leave this office right now and go to the cabin that MJ prepared for you.
Do not stop in the kitchen, do not talk to anyone, do not look at your phone, your laptop, or anything but your mirror.
Do whatever you want to do to get ready.
Hair. Makeup. Your favorite dress and a glass of wine.
Do not leave that cabin until I knock on the door. ”
She drew back, baffled and intrigued. “Then we’ll go to dinner.”
His mouth curved, and it was the smile he wore when he was up to something good. “Trust me.”
She did. She always had.
Cindy stood before the mirror in the cabin, her reflection haloed by the soft glow of a single lamp.
She admired the winter-white silk jumpsuit with pearl buttons that was somehow both bridal and festive.
She smoothed her hair, the blond locks straightened by a flat iron she only brought out for the most important occasions.
Turning, she slipped into cream boots and glanced at the white faux fur coat she’d planned to wear into town for dinner.
But it was too early for dinner. Was Jack making her stay in this cabin so she didn’t break his rules and try to…work?
She heard some noise outside—the sound of the snowmobile and UTV, some voices, but she’d followed the rules, played her favorite music, sipped the wine MJ had put in the room, and spent the last hour preparing for…whatever Jack had in mind.
“Is my bride in there?” Jack called as he tapped on the cabin door.
“Yes,” she answered on a giddy laugh, opening it to a cold rush of air. “Following my future husband’s orders to…” Her words faded in the evening air as she took in the sight of him.
He filled the doorway in a dark suit and a gray wool overcoat, snow-dusted, with a dark suit underneath, a white shirt, and a thin black tie. His hair was wind-tossed, his smile easy. He looked like every Christmas movie hero she’d ever secretly swooned over.
“Wow.” They said the word in perfect unison, making them laugh.
“You look beautiful,” he said, reaching for her as he stepped inside.
“So do you,” she sighed, taking the hug he offered, and the kiss. When she eased back, she gave him a dubious look. “We’re early.”
“Nope. We’re right on time.” He turned and lifted her coat, holding it for her to slip into.
She snagged her leather gloves and bag, her heart tapping with anticipation as they stepped outside and he offered his arm and led her to the sleigh, where Copper was harnessed and waiting.
“Ready for a ride?”
“Oh? A sleigh ride? I love that idea.”
He helped her up to the front and joined her, the two of them nestling under a few fluffy blankets. Then he lifted the reins and clicked his tongue to set Copper into motion.
“Remember when he didn’t want any part of this sleigh?” Cindy asked, cozying up next to him. “Now he’s a pro.”
“He thought he was done for the night,” Jack said.
“But you want to take me…” She drew back, narrowing her eyes to guess. “To Bluebell Crossing where we had our first kiss.”
He smiled. “I hate to be predictable, but yes.”
“Not predictable.” She slid her hand around the crook of his elbow, suddenly giddy. “Romantic and wonderful and exactly what I need the night before our wedding.”
He leaned in and gave her a whiff of his oaky aftershave and a hint of pine that clung to him. “You smell like you’ve already been up in those wooded trails.”
He just smiled at that as she settled deeper into the leather seats, tearing her attention from him to the woods bathed in yellow as the moon rose, and pinpoints of starlight appeared in the mountain sky.
Copper trotted along proudly, kicking up a little snow that swirled around the lanterns hanging from the sleigh to light their way.
The sleigh bells chimed with each of his steps, the big horse whinnying at the cold.
Cindy couldn’t stop smiling.
When the trees opened onto the wide, snowy hill of Bluebell Crossing, Cindy sat up straighter at the sight of the lanterns—so many of them—that lined the route. And…there were people up here.
MJ and Nicole, Red and Benny, and—oh!
“Jack! The trellis?”
“Cameron and I have moved that thing so many times, it seems light to us now.”
“Jack.” She pressed a leather glove to her lips as the sleigh got closer to the gathering of the people she loved most in the whole world.
And a few extras.
“Is that Marshall Hampton and his little girl, Olivia?”
“Well, the pastor wasn’t available on short notice.”
“The…” Did he say pastor?
“But Gracie said Marshall is licensed to marry in the state of Utah. Olivia didn’t have a sitter and…”
She let out a whimper. “Marry? Now?”
He brought Copper to a halt about fifty feet from the others, who all watched, quiet but smiling.
Turning to her, Jack looked into her eyes. “Right now, honey. This is official, legal, totally private, and…we will say our vows under the trellis that Owen Starling built. Please tell me you will marry me tonight. After that, I don’t care what happens tomorrow, as long as you are my wife.”
“Jack, this is…perfect.”
“I thought so,” he said simply. “Our first kiss, our second marriage, our forever future. Don’t worry, we’ll still have tomorrow’s wedding production—it’ll be incredible. But this…” His voice caught, steadying again. “This one’s for us.”
Her throat tightened, tears blurring the lantern light. “Jack—”
He squeezed her hand. “I don’t need a venue or light time or an audience. I just need you.”
He jumped down first, then turned and held out his hand to her. “Come on. Everyone worked so hard to make this happen, and Benny has a playlist and…don’t cry, Cin.”
She blinked at tears as she carefully climbed down. “How can I not?”
He reached into the back of the sleigh and pulled out a bouquet of red and white roses, which must have been a signal to Benny, because just then, a portable speaker started playing soft classical music.
The small group parted to make room for them, and Jack offered his arm.
Cindy took a deep breath and took the flowers in one hand, and Jack’s arm in the other.
Slowly they walked the short distance to the trellis, pausing to give MJ a kiss, and Nicole a hug. Cameron shook Jack’s hand and Red squeezed Cindy with a murmur of love.
Gracie blew a kiss and Benny, standing next to Olivia, gave a thumbs-up.
Her family. Their family. She loved them all so much that joy spilled through her chest until she couldn’t contain it.
Laughter, music, wind in the pines, and soft words of encouragement filled the air, carrying Cindy forward to where Marshall stood holding what she knew was the Starling family Bible, welcoming them to a blessed and private ceremony.