Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
The Ranch
Hadley turned to face the three of us in her childhood bedroom, donned in her gorgeous wedding dress and veil.
“Hadley,” Poet whispered.
“You look incredible,” Wyn added.
“You really do,” I agreed. “I can’t wait to see Declan’s face when he gets a look at you.”
“Make sure one of the cameras is pointed at him,” Hadley said. “There’s always a ton of photos of the bride, but there are never enough of the groom. And I want his face immortalized.”
“Don’t worry, we’ve got it all covered,” Wyn said.
The four of us had gathered the morning of Hadley’s wedding in our childhood rooms as our staging area while the men had gotten ready in the cabin.
Hadley’s wedding dress was unique; not the traditional white of your average bride. It had a pattern of spring flowers that looked whimsical and painted. Each of our bridesmaids dresses were the color of the flowers. Wyn’s was a soft yellow, Poet’s a robin egg blue, and mine was sage green.
Our bouquets were wildflowers from the ranch, twined with cream ribbon.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Hadley called.
The door opened and my father stood in the doorway. He was in a sport coat with no tie, the collar of his shirt open at the neck to reveal tanned skin from the years he’d spent on the ranch. His hair was combed, and for the occasion, he wore a brand-new pair of cowboy boots.
“Looking snazzy, Mr. Powell,” Wyn said.
“Thanks,” he said with a grin. “Ladies, do you mind if I have a private moment with my daughters?”
“Not at all,” Poet said.
Poet and Wyn strode past my father who came fully into the room and closed the door.
He reached into his inner breast pocket and pulled out a long black velvet box and handed it to Hadley.
“I had this restored for you,” Dad said.
Hadley opened the box and gasped. “Dad.”
My sister flipped the box around to show me the gold heart locket that had Mom’s initials engraved on it.
“She’d be so proud of you, Hadley,” Dad said, his voice somber.
His eyes were suspiciously glassy.
“This is beautiful.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “You should’ve given this to me before I did my makeup.”
Dad chuckled. “Probably.”
I reached into the pocket of my dress and extracted a handkerchief. “Look up.”
Hadley tilted her neck back and stared up at the ceiling so I could gently blot the tears beneath her eyes.
“I think you’re safe,” I said.
Hadley handed me the box. “Will you put it on me?”
I smiled and nodded.
Once the necklace rested against Hadley’s skin, I ensured her veil was straight and stepped back and linked my arm through my father’s.
“She looks perfect now, doesn’t she?” I said.
Dad nodded. He turned his head and kissed my hair. “You both do.”
There was another knock on the door right before it opened. Muddy came into the room; her face wreathed in a smile. She wore a lavender dress and low heels. Her cheeks were bright and her silver hair was pleated, woven through with wildflowers.
“You mind if I have a word with the bride?” Muddy asked.
“She’s all yours,” Dad said.
The two of us walked into the hallway, and then went downstairs. Jane had waited in the kitchen for my father, and when the two of them looked at each other, I wondered when we’d be attending their wedding.
“We should take our seats,” Jane said to my father.
Dad hugged me and whispered in my ear, “I would give anything to see you as happy as Hadley.”
I smiled up at him, metaphorically biting my tongue.
If only he knew.
Well, he’d know soon enough. Maybe in a few hours after all the guests were gone and it was just family.
“You look beautiful,” Jane said to me.
“Thanks, Jane,” I said, my tone sincere. “So do you.”
And she did. Her brown hair was down and curled, her cheeks pink and her eyes bright.
The two of them headed out the back door and I waited for Muddy and Hadley. They came downstairs about five minutes later and the three of us made our way to the wedding ceremony. Chairs had been set up, and at the end of the aisle Declan stood with the minister and Cas at his side.
Jane had gotten Dad to his seat in the front and now we waited for the musicians to start. They struck up a chord and the guests who’d been talking in low voices ceased, turning their attention to the back of the aisle.
Wyn walked first, followed by Poet. When it was my turn, I looked over my shoulder at my sister, shot her a wink, and then glided down the aisle.
My eyes immediately went to Cas.
Our gazes locked on one another and my heart flipped in my chest. It was as if there was no one else here, as if this wedding wasn’t my sister’s, but mine.
And in our tacit communication, we promised each other forever.
I made it to the platform and took my place in front of Poet.
And then I watched my grandmother walk my sister down the aisle.
The veil didn’t cover Hadley’s face—it was merely an adornment. And it was perfect because it meant I could see her expression.
Her beautiful, serene expression when she saw the man she loved waiting to make her his wife.
When they arrived at the platform, Muddy squeezed Hadley’s hand and kissed her cheek before letting her go.
Declan held out his hand to Hadley. She took it, and then stood on the platform, facing him.
He refused to drop her hand and instead, pulled her close and kissed her on the lips.
“I haven’t gotten to that part yet,” Minister Bainbridge teased.
“Well, hurry up then,” Declan stated, causing everyone to laugh.
Hadley, still chuckling, turned and handed me her bouquet.
Then she faced her husband to be.
They didn’t write their own vows, choosing to go the traditional route. And while they recited their pledge of ‘til death do us part, I once again found myself staring at Cas.
His lips lifted up into a smile, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.
“You may now kiss the bride,” Minister Bainbridge said. “Again.”
Declan gently cradled Hadley’s face and pressed his lips to hers. He then stood back, grabbed her hand and raised their clasped hands in the air.
Everyone in the audience cheered.
I handed Hadley her bouquet, and then the two of them walked down the aisle.
“Now we feast,” Wyn said, drawing my attention to her and Poet.
Poet wiped a finger underneath her glasses. “That was so beautiful.”
“It really was,” I agreed. “Come on, waterworks. Let’s get you a glass of champagne.”
“Yeah, that’s all we need,” Wyn teased. “A weepy, sappy Poet.”
“Well, we are at a wedding. If not now, then when?” Poet demanded.
“May I escort you to the tent?” Cas asked, coming to stand by my side.
I smiled up at him. “Sure thing.”
He offered me his arm and I took it.
The tables under the tent were adorned with cream colored tablecloths and vintage, mismatching cutlery and china that Muddy and Hadley had found in antique stores over the past few months. Votives of candles tied with lavender ribbons and bouquets of wildflowers graced the center of each table.
There were no assigned seats except for the table that included the wedding party along with Muddy, Dad and Jane.
“This is beautiful,” Poet said. “The vision totally came together.”
Wyn nodded. “And at the moment, no scent of ranch life.”
“Just wait until the wind changes,” I quipped. “I don’t even smell it anymore.”
“Well, you’re used to it,” Wyn said.
“Can we not talk about the smell right before we eat?” Poet asked. “I’m begging you.”
Wyn mimed zipping her mouth shut.
“Can I get you ladies something to drink?” Cas asked.
“Glass of champagne for me,” Wyn said.
“Same,” Poet added.
Cas looked at me and raised his brows. “Will you help me carry the drinks?”
“Sure.” I nodded and moved toward the Copper Mule’s mobile bar—a vintage Airstream trailer with their logo on the side.
On our way, Lucy and Eloise waylaid us, forcing us to stop.
“It was such a beautiful ceremony,” Eloise chirped. “Hadley looks stunning, doesn’t she?”
“She does,” I agreed.
“And look at you, you tall drink of water,” Eloise said, batting her eyelashes up at Cas who peered down at her with an amused smile.
While Eloise engaged Cas in conversation, Lucy grasped my elbow and turned me away for a measure of privacy.
“Amber Winston is here,” Lucy said.
“Amber’s here?” My brows slashed together.
Lucy nodded and gestured with her chin to the other side of the tent.
Amber was standing with Harlan, her hand on his forearm while they talked.
“Why is she here?” I asked, concern bubbling up within me. It wasn’t like she was friends with Hadley, or with me.
“I guess she came as that young man’s plus one,” Lucy said.
“But why would she want to come to Hadley’s wedding?” I asked with a frown of confusion.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I hope she doesn’t cause any trouble.”
“You and me both,” I murmured. “I think she’s making a play for Harlan.”
“Harlan? Oh, yes. Well, he’s very charming. I met him and his brothers when they came into the store a while back. As for Amber, I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Why don’t you and Eloise find a table? Food should be served soon.”
Lucy squeezed my hand, and then went to extract Eloise from her flirtation with Cas.
“I think she wanted to detach her jaw and swallow you whole,” I quipped as Cas and I continued toward the mobile bar.
“There’s an image,” he stated, looking at me with a raise of his brows.
“Behave,” I warned.
“Only for a few more hours,” he said. “You think we’ll be able to get away with dancing together?”
“You are the best man and I’m the maid of honor,” I said. “I think we can get away with it. So . . . Amber is here. She’s standing with Harlan.”
“Amber?” Cas looked away from me to peer at the guests. His jaw clenched. “You think she’s going to start shit?”
“I know she’s going to start shit.”
“Then we’ll run interference,” he said. “All day if we have to. She’s not ruining their wedding.”
“I should probably pull Harlan aside and give him a head’s up.”
“That’s a good idea,” he said.
We stepped up to the bar to order.
“What are you doing?” I demanded. “You’re a guest today. Not a bartender.”
Wade grimaced. “One of my bartenders called out, so naturally I wound up doing what I do best.”
“You left Chelsea alone?” I asked.
“My parents are entertaining her,” Wade said.
“I’ll make sure you still get food,” I said.
“Thanks, Salem. What can I get you guys to drink?”
We gave our orders as more people began to form a line behind us. Wade served the drinks quickly and efficiently.
“It’s almost like he’s a professional,” Cas said as he took a drink of his whiskey.
“Almost,” I said. “Let’s get these drinks to Wyn and Poet, and then I’ll see if I can extract Harlan from the harpy.”