Chapter Twenty-Two #4
I’m sorry, he mouthed to her directly, and held out an open arm.
Carson rose and, her face crumpling, came to his open arm.
For that brief moment of connection, wrapped in his sisters’ arms, Atticus felt whole again. When they separated, no shyness or awkwardness was between them, only a newfound happiness.
“So you’re my brother.” Carson wiped her eyes.
“Your half brother,” he corrected.
“Don’t let Mamaw hear you say that,” Dora warned. “She hates that phrase. She says blood is blood and there’s no watering that down.”
“So I guess we still have a minister for the weddings?” Harper asked him hopefully.
“If you’ll have me.”
“It’s either that or walk us down the aisle,” Carson told him. “You are the only surviving male Muir.”
“I’m still Atticus Green. That hasn’t changed.”
“No, of course not,” Carson amended. “But you’re also a Muir.”
“I am.”
“We have to tell Mamaw,” Harper said. “She’ll be so pleased. She didn’t tolerate us berating you in front of her.”
“Which of course we did freely and viciously,” Carson said.
“Nothing more than I deserved.” Atticus looked at the brides. “So the weddings are still on as scheduled?”
Harper looked at him suspiciously. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
“Well”—Atticus held his hands behind his back—“now that everything’s out in the open and being that I’m your brother and all, I figure I can voice my opinion openly, too.”
“Okay,” Harper replied warily.
“Since full and complete honesty is being called into question today, let’s all come clean. Like Harper said, the future begins today.”
They looked back at him, curious and mildly amused.
Atticus grinned and pointed his finger at Harper and Carson. “You two aren’t being honest about your weddings. In particular, about where your weddings are being held.”
Dora perked up, catching on. “Amen, Brother! I’ve been after them about this forever.
You’ve been like two hens picking at seed.
All you do is talk about each other’s wedding, not your own.
Girls, be honest like Atticus said. Neither of you want the wedding you’re having.
You both know you want to get married at each other’s venue. ”
“What are you saying?” Harper’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “You aren’t suggesting we cancel our weddings?”
“No, not cancel.” Atticus held his arms akimbo and looked at her from under gathered brows.
In their prolonged silence, Carson and Harper looked at each other, neither taking a breath.
“Switch?” Carson asked in a whisper.
“Why not?” Dora asked.
“No!” Harper said, getting her back up. “That’s ridiculous. Everything is set. It can’t be changed now.”
“Of course it can,” Dora argued. “Stop being so rigid. You can do anything you want. You’re the bride!
It’s about time you realized that. And with your efficient brain working on it, you’ll have new lists for us to start checking off in no time.
This is your wedding, Harper. And yours, Carson.
You’ve both been trying so hard to please everyone else you neglected yourselves.
Now’s the time to be honest, right, Rev? ”
Atticus chuckled at hearing Dora call him by that nickname. “Right.” He put on his serious face. He liked seeing this bossy side of Dora, playing the elder card. It suited her.
“Tell me the truth. Carson, do you want to get married on the beach?”
Carson blinked, took a breath. “Yes.”
Dora’s face flooded with satisfaction, even as Harper’s shifted to shock.
“Now you, Harper,” Dora said. “Do you want to get married at the plantation?”
“It doesn’t matter. Granny James—”
“I’m not asking Granny James,” Dora interrupted. “I’m asking you. For once, Harper, tell us what you want.” When Harper hesitated, wringing her hands, Dora nearly shouted, “Where’s your spine, girl? Damn the torpedoes.”
“Yes!” Harper shouted back at her. “All right? Yes, I wish I was getting married at the plantation. So what? All this talk of a switch is nothing more than crazy.”
“Why is it crazy?” Carson grinned happily. “Come on, Harpo. This is our adventure, right? Our weddings. We’ve never been afraid before. Let’s not start now. Like you said, the future begins today. Okay, Brave New World.” Carson straightened her shoulders. “I want to get married on the beach.”
Harper dropped the manuscript, she was so shaken. She stood, hands at her side, wide-eyed, frozen in indecision. She looked at Atticus for guidance, her large blue eyes limpid in fear.
Atticus shrugged and shook his head, indicating this was her decision to make. He’d led her to this point, but could go no further.
“It’s time to put the mouse to rest,” Dora said to her gently. “You’re not that little girl anymore.”
“If I do this, I’ll feel like a rat.”
Carson and Dora laughed.
“You’re going to be a mother,” Dora said. “You’re a lioness.”
Carson put out her hands to capture Harper’s. She gave the smaller hands a squeeze. “What do you say, Sis? You and me again on another adventure on Sullivan’s Island. Will you switch with me? Do you dare?”
Harper’s eyes flashed and she smiled a crooked grin. “You bet I do.”