CHAPTER TEN
You know, there are times when you can keep your thoughts in your head. We don’t need to know everything you’re thinking all of the time.
~Text from Emmett to Cash~
Kinsley
This past week has been a blur of activity.
Last Saturday, we shared all our news—the good and the not-so-good—with the family.
Jon and Pa immediately announced we should have the wedding and reception at the clubhouse.
I was hesitant at first because that wasn’t what I had pictured, but then Pa whispered to me that it would be free and we could have almost a no-cost wedding since we don’t know how much time off work Emmett or I might have to take.
Nicky overheard the conversation, whipped out a notebook from somewhere, and started planning.
He asked me a million and one questions and even tried to get Emmett’s opinion.
He kept repeating that the only thing he wanted was to be married to me at the end of it all.
Oh, and maybe a beer or two. Ada, Ma, Anna, and Romona all jumped in, and Jane told me she’d make our cake for us.
On Monday, I had the MRI done, and on Wednesday, I had two appointments.
The first was with Doctor Hargrave, who wanted to talk to us after we had had the weekend to let the news sink in.
She went over what she would be looking out for and how she would like to proceed with our now-weekly appointments.
She went upstairs with us to meet with my oncologist. Doctor Schultz was very nice and she explained that she would be working closely with Doctor Hargrave.
She’s also the hospital’s surgical oncologist, so she will be in the room to remove the mass after our little one is born.
She will have it tested as quickly as she can.
She briefly went over what the plan of action would be if it is confirmed to be cancer, as they believe it to be.
I feel comforted that both doctors are women, both are moms, and both understand my choices.
Yesterday, after work, I was met with what could only be described as a horde of women.
Ada, Anna, Ma, Hanna, Christy, Mary, Kierstie, and Madison showed up on our doorstep to take me dress shopping and to get pampered at the salon afterward.
We went to two stores, and at the second store, I found the dress.
It was exactly what I had pictured in my mind—floor-length, and flowy with off-the-shoulder straps.
I didn’t want a form-fitting dress because that isn’t me, and I want to be comfortable.
I knew I was picking the right one when I came out and Ada and Anna both had tears in their eyes.
Ada informed me that she had made the boys go out and get new clothes to wear and that Booker even got himself a little bow tie.
See what I mean? We worked and had all that going on, along with about a million phone calls from Nicky, Jane, and Ada about a million different little things for tomorrow. Today we’re all meeting at the clubhouse to help get everything ready and set up, along with having a quick rehearsal.
Emmett just pulled up in front of the school to pick me up and head over to the clubhouse.
He gets out and comes around to open my door.
“You ready to head over to the madhouse? Mom’s already called me three times with questions.
” He helps me up into the truck and leans in to give me a quick kiss.
“I’m ready. Everyone is working like crazy just for us.
I don’t think I’ll be able to thank them enough.
” He looks at me with such love, it takes my breath away.
“Sweetheart, it’s what family does. It’s what we’ll do when it’s any of their turns.
” He’s right. Let’s get this show on the road.
We get to the clubhouse, and I’m instantly pulled away from Emmett by Booker and brought inside, where a bunch of the women are sitting around, putting together a variety of things.
I can hear Ma in the kitchen with Romona and Ada.
I don’t know what they’re making for tomorrow, but I know we’ll be eating well.
Booker looks up at me. “Grandma told me to bring you in here. She said you need to sit down, and then I can go find Dad and help the guys outside since I’m a guy.
” He waits till I sit down and then scurries off outside.
I’m at a table with Christy, Mary, Shandy, and Madison, who are all cutting or peeling something.
I see Anna walking toward our table. “What do you need me to do?” Anna sets down a bag of potatoes on the table in front of me.
“You can peel these, but when you’re done with them, you don’t lift the bowl.
You have one of us do that. You hear me?
” I nod because I know better than to argue with her.
I look around the room and see everyone working.
I can’t help but feel that both Emmett and I are so lucky to have so many people who love us enough to spend so much time helping to make our day so memorable.
I grab the peeler and start peeling the bag of potatoes.
I may not know the menu, but I never doubted that potatoes would be on it in some way.
I’m about halfway through the bag of potatoes when Ma and Romona come out of the kitchen and bring out tea and coffee for everyone in the room.
They both sit down by us, and Anna comes out a minute later, grabbing the last seat by me.
She looks over and asks, “Did you even bother to message your mom? ‘Cause if she’s coming, we’re gonna have to have a conversation with her.
” I sigh because I don’t even know what to do about her.
“I texted her to let her know, but I haven’t heard back.
I’m honestly not expecting to after her last messages.
I’m not sure I should expect to see her again. ”
Christy, gotta love her, but she does not do well with uncomfortable pauses in conversation.
She blurts out a question to the room. “How do you know the difference between a guy who’s just a good guy but not the one for you and a good guy who’s the right one for you?
” Kierstie, who just walked into the room, answers her first. “A gentleman holds the door open, a man holds your thighs open, but your soulmate will do both without you asking.” The room explodes in laughter.
I mean, she’s not wrong, but it’s more than just sexual chemistry.
Ma glares at Kierstie and turns her attention to Christy.
“I don’t think there is one clear answer.
Does he make you laugh? Does he actually want to spend time with you?
Does he make your heart go pitter-patter?
The one whom the gods made for you will not see your faults as faults, but as part of what makes you, you.
He’s the one who you can see yourself waking up every day to, the one who you can spend a quiet Sunday morning with, not talking but just enjoying being in each other’s company.
” Listening to what Ma said, I know in my heart that Emmett is all of that for me.
Anna throws in a little bit of reality. “‘Course that doesn’t mean that there aren’t times you want to scream and yell at them or you plot out their slow death, but that love keeps you from going through with it. ”
Before anyone can comment, the door to the outside opens, and we hear loud voices.
Being the nosey bitches we are, we all get up and scurry to the door, wanting to know what the hell is going on out there.
I get to the door, open it, look outside, and am shocked at what I see.
The guys are all carrying chairs and tables out of storage to the area where we are having the ceremony.
Someone put some music on. I’m thinking it’s Dad because it’s not a current song playing.
In fact, it’s a country song that I can remember Dad playing when I was a kid.
However, none of that is what’s making the noise.
Watching the guys, when the song gets to the chorus, Emmett, his dad, his brothers, and even Booker all belt out the chorus.
I think Dad, Saxon, and Samson joined in as well.
Knowing the song word for word, I can tell the chorus is about to start again.
All of us watch as the guys in unison belt out, “If I had two dozen roses and an open bottle of wine…” Nicky comes up and stands next to me.
“Holy hell. That’s just a whole lot of sexy crooning giants out there.
I love my man, but damn, you’re one lucky woman, Kins.
” I nod in agreement because I know just how lucky I really am. I’m more than ready for tomorrow.
Emmett
Last night was one of the first times in my life that I wanted to argue with my mom.
I got fucking ganged up on. Mom, along with the women in Kinsley’s family, all said we had to keep one tradition—not sleeping together the night before the wedding.
I tried to argue that it really shouldn’t matter since she’s already pregnant, but all that got me was a smack to the stomach from Mom.
So I slept at home, and Kinsley slept at her dad’s place.
He did make sure he had her mint tea and everything for the breakfast she’s wanted every day for a week.
I’ve been awake for a few minutes, just lying in bed, realizing that this is the last night I plan to ever sleep alone in this room.
I still can’t believe I get to marry Kinsley today.
I know I’m a very lucky man, and I honestly didn’t think I could be this in love with someone.