Chapter Fifteen
We walk away the same as we were before.
That was what Asher told Kelley at the drive-in only two days ago. Those were the same words Kelley was clinging to hours before her big sister was set to walk down the aisle and recite her vows to the love of her life. Laura-Beth would walk away from the evening married.
Kelley intended something different. She intended to walk away with her head held high.
And my heart still mine.
She traced her finger over a red-tipped yellow rose in a vase of a dozen that the floral shop delivered to Kelley’s mother’s house that morning with a note that read: I know today is about your sister. Wanted you to know someone is thinking about you.
“The card isn’t signed.” That came from Kelley’s mother, who was finishing adding loose beachy curls to Frannie’s hair at the kitchen table. They had decided the natural sunlight filtering through the oversize bay windows was ideal for their wedding hair and makeup session.
“It doesn’t matter. We know they’re from Asher.” Frannie lowered her cell phone and peered at Kelley. “Who else would they be from?”
Who, indeed. Kelley picked her eyeliner pencil out of her makeup bag, leaned toward the portable mirror propped on the table and concentrated on applying her makeup.
“Now, listen to this,” Frannie said, and read from her phone, slowly and carefully. “It says right here that yellow roses are for friendship.”
Kelley ignored the pang of disappointment in her chest. Friendship was what she wanted. Same as Asher. She switched to her other eye.
“How…ever,” Frannie continued, stretching the one word and pitching her voice low as if sharing a secret. “Red-tipped yellow roses are for new relationships and…” Frannie paused and waggled her eyebrows at Kelley. “A crush.” Her little sister gave Kelley a smug, I told you so look.
Kelley worked to keep her hand steady and her smile from getting away from her.
“Well, I can’t wait to see Asher Blackwell again,” her mom said, pleasantly. She twisted part of Frannie’s hair into an intricate updo and let the rest fall past her sister’s shoulders. “Asher was always so helpful with the yardwork and such when we still lived over on Bridle Creek Circle.”
Kelley set the eyeliner pencil down and glanced at her mom. “When was this?”
Her childhood home was on Bridle Creek. They had lived there before and after her parents’ divorce. Surely, Kelley would have noticed Asher being there.
“Asher’s mom volunteered in the library every week.
” Kelley’s mom placed a bobby pin into Frannie’s hair, then stepped back to inspect her work.
“Priscilla and I became good friends. She always checked on me after the divorce. She would send Asher over to mow the lawn or trim the hedges, so I had one less thing to worry about and she never let me pay him.”
That was kind. Kelley said, “But I don’t remember Asher ever coming by.”
Frannie curled the strands framing her face and said, “Neither do I.”
“That’s because Priscilla and I waited until you were at your father’s house for the week.” Her mother chuckled and shook the hairspray bottle. “I didn’t want you to think things were not under control, or worry that I couldn’t handle the house, the property and everything else.”
“We would have helped you,” Kelley said. Their childhood house was quite large, not to mention it sat on an extensive property. The landscaping and upkeep alone would have been a lot for both her parents, never mind her mom on her own, who was working full-time and looking after three daughters.
“You had enough adjustments between a new stepmom and jumping between houses.” Her mom shook her head. “I wanted something to remain consistent. It was important we stayed in that home.”
“No wonder you downsized when we moved out,” Frannie mused and glanced around the cottage house as if appreciating it even more.
“And now we are back together…” Kelley said and took in the wedding paraphernalia scattered all around the kitchen. “Cramping your space.”
Her mom wrapped her arm around Kelley’s shoulders and squeezed. “I’m thrilled to have my girls here.”
“And you will be thrilled to see us move out,” Kelley said playfully.
“I will only be cheering because I will know you are ready to move into your next chapter.” Her mom laughed and dipped her head toward the dozen roses. “I can’t wait to see what that might be.”
Well, it was not a cowboy chapter. Of that, she was certain. Kelley gathered her makeup and tossed it into her small cloth bag with her initials. Then she checked her phone and said, “LB just texted. She is ready and waiting for us to pick her up so we can get to the venue and help her get ready.”
“Mom, start the car and crank the air-conditioning to blasting. Otherwise, all your hard work on my hair is going to wilt away in the heat.” Frannie gave her hair another shot of hairspray and grinned. “Kelley and I have something to do quick.”
“Don’t forget the essentials bag. Frannie and I will get the rest.” Kelley picked a duffel bag off the kitchen chair beside her and handed it to her mom.
“Wow, this is quite heavy.” Her mom settled the strap on her shoulder and asked, “Whatever is in it?”
“Everything.” Kelley stood and started reciting her checklist. Bridesmaids’ gowns were already hanging in the car. Shoes were in the trunk. That left bouquets and boutonnieres. Kelley walked toward the refrigerator. “There is something for every sort of bridal emergency in that duffel.”
“When did you pack all this?” Her mom filled a to-go tumbler with ice and water.
“I’ve been filling it the last few months as I thought of things that might go wrong,” Kelley explained.
“You can’t plan for every potential crisis.” Her mother frowned.
“I can certainly try.” Kelley chuckled. “And I think I did with that duffel.”
“Did you pack safety pins in case the straps on her dress break?” Frannie peered into the snack bag.
“Of course,” Kelley said and grinned at her little sister. “There’s also a sewing kit stocked with matching thread for both bridal and groomsmen attire in case a button fails or whatnot.”
“Good call.” Frannie went into the pantry and returned with a bag of honey mustard pretzels. “What about backup shoes in case one of Laura-Beth’s heels malfunctions before the ceremony?”
“Yes, we’ve got those, too,” Kelley said. “And two stain remover sticks, superglue and extra ribbon in case the ring pillow fails.”
Frannie glanced at their mother. “I think she might have planned for everything.”
“Dear, there is nothing wrong with figuring things out in the moment,” her mom stated. “Sometimes the spontaneity takes you to unexpected places and you learn something about yourself.”
“Yes,” Kelley said dryly. “You learn you should have planned better.”
Kelley’s mom chuckled and pressed a kiss to Kelley’s cheek, then headed for the back door. “All right, hurry up, ladies. We can’t keep our bride waiting.”
“This will only take a minute,” Frannie called after their mom. Her sister snatched a rose from the vase, then claimed the box of bridesmaid bouquets from Kelley.
“What are you doing?” Kelley asked, confused. “Laura-Beth was very particular about the flowers. You can’t tamper with the bouquets.”
“I’m not tampering with it. I’m enhancing yours.” Frannie plucked one of the six bridesmaid bouquets and in Frannie-seconds, had one flower removed and gently slid Asher’s rose into its place. Grinning, she said, “Get me the scissors. I need to trim the stem to match the others.”
Kelley opened the junk drawer and handed the scissors to her little sister.
Frannie finished and admired her handiwork. “Asher’s rose blends in beautifully with the others.”
It really did. Kelley asked, “Why are you doing this?”
“It’s like a silent acknowledgment of his crush on you.” Frannie beamed at Kelley. “And now you get to take him down the aisle with you.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” Or wise. She should not be thinking of Asher and aisles together. After all, it was a night of no pressure and no expectations. She needed to start setting some firm ones for herself.
“It’s very necessary.” Frannie tucked the bouquet back inside the box and said, “It’s time for you to have more than a crush, big sister.”
“It’s not going anywhere between me and Asher.” Kelley shook her head and took the boutonniere box from the refrigerator. “We are sitting at the singles’ table. What does that tell you?”
“Everyone is single before they are a couple,” Frannie argued and started for the back door.
Kelley scanned the kitchen for any forgotten items, then followed her sister outside. “It’s better this way. Asher and I talked about it. We’ve decided.”
“So, change his mind,” Frannie stated matter-of-factly. “Or better yet. Change yours.”
Kelley’s mind was set.
The doubt didn’t set in until hours later, when Kelley was standing at the front of the chapel barn at The Willows on Laurel Lake. The sun was going down beyond the hills while her sister and her soon-to-be brother-in-law recited their vows under a flower-bedecked archway.
Kelley brushed at her damp eyes and then caught sight of her cowboy.
He was standing at the back of the historic wooden-floored, tin-roofed open-air barn behind the guests seated on rustic wood benches.
His crisp white dress shirt was unbuttoned at the collar.
His deep blue suit jacket and dress pants were well tailored and well fit.
And his barely there smile was sweet, private and aimed entirely at Kelley.
Just like that, Kelley’s crush teetered toward something bigger.
Yet, letting herself fall for Asher would only end in heartbreak. Kelley held the thought for a breath, loosened her grip and let it sink with the setting sun.