Chapter 32
Miranda
“Miranda! I’ve been meaning to catch you. I have a question, but I didn’t want to ask over the phone.”
I look across the barn to find Joy making her way over to me. My heart drops as I worry just what she wants to ask me, that couldn’t be a phone call or a text message. Has she heard about Hayden and me? We’ve only just decided to see where things go the other day.
“What’s up?” I ask cautiously. “Is everything okay?”
Joy flashes a reassuring smile and adjusts her thick mass of curls. She isn’t working in the stables, so she has her hair down for a change. Morgan is fully trained, so Joy is finally able to take it easy, not that she’ll ever stay away from this place.
“Tate and I decided we want to get married here at the ranch. We want to do a small ceremony before it gets too hot.”
“Holy shit, congratulations! I’m so happy for you!”
“Nothing like a shotgun wedding,” Joy says before pausing to laugh.
“I’m kidding. It’s really not like that.
I would have been happy to get married down at the courthouse even before I found out I was pregnant, but Tate insists on a ceremony with family.
Anyway, will you be a bridesmaid? That’s what I wanted to ask you. ”
Once the surprise wears off, I find myself nodding enthusiastically. I’ve never been a bridesmaid and feel honored that she would even ask me. Especially since we haven’t always been close.
“Really? Me?”
She laughs. “Yeah, you. You’ve been a huge help around here, and I’m glad I can consider you a friend now. What do you say?”
I practically squeal in delight. “Yes! I would love to! When is it?”
“We’re thinking about two weeks from Saturday.
That way, it isn’t a rodeo weekend, and it shouldn’t be super hot.
We figured the groomsmen could wear nice jeans, boots, and matching jackets, and we could head to one of the boutiques in town for something for the bridesmaids.
The dresses don’t have to be the same, so long as they look nice together. I have my dress already.”
I clap my hands in excitement before pulling Joy into a hug. “I’m too excited for this. It’s been a long time since I’ve had an excuse to get dressed up, and you’re going to make the most gorgeous bride!”
When I step back, Joy swipes tears from her cheeks and sniffles. “Damn hormones.”
“I feel like I’m missing something good over here,” Sierra says as she joins us.
“Joy is getting married in two weeks!”
Sierra smiles, but after a moment, her face falls a bit. “That’s exciting. I’ll have to see if I can find something to wear. Wait, am I invited?”
Joy laughs, all signs of tears gone. She nods and pulls a surprised Sierra into a celebratory hug.
I laugh at the exchange, because I do not know Joy to be much of a hugger.
Those pregnancy hormones must really be doing a number on her.
They haven’t formally announced the pregnancy because it’s still early, but now that I know, I can’t stop noticing little changes in her and also in the way Tate looks at her. It’s pretty damn cute.
“Of course, and we’re going shopping!” I say, still brimming with excitement. “Please tell me you’ll let me dress you up.”
Sierra smiles nervously but nods her head.
I can’t remember the last wedding I attended.
I’m genuinely excited to have a reason to get all dressed up, and to get Sierra dressed up.
I know she isn’t my niece, and I’m not technically with Hayden, but I’m excited at the chance to get her all dolled up.
“When are we going shopping, anyway?” I ask Joy.
Laughing, she shrugs her shoulders. “I was hoping for Friday afternoon. Rayna is off, you all typically have an early day, and I can do what I want since I’m sleeping with the owner. Oh, and River is going to try to meet us there, too.”
I snort out a laugh. Her statement is hilarious, considering she was so worried about that aspect of their relationship when she and Tate first got together.
The only thing keeping them apart was the fact that Tate owned Boulder Ranch.
Now, they are engaged, expecting their first child, and planning a wedding.
My mind drifts to the current situation I’m in with Hayden.
The only thing keeping us apart is also the fear of what people may think. Specifically, my parents.
“Have Hayden drop you off at my place Friday, Sierra. I’ll bring you home once we finish.”
I practically bounce with excitement when I see Hayden’s truck head up my driveway. Even though I know he’d do anything to make sure Sierra’s happy, I still worried she wouldn’t be able to come along on this shopping spree. She was my first thought as soon as Joy brought up the wedding.
“Thanks for dropping her off,” I say through the open window once he parks his truck and waits for Sierra to step out.
“Of course. Do I need to pick her up, or will you be bringing her home?”
“I can drop her off, no problem. I’m not sure if we’ll be shopping and coming right back, or if we’re going to eat or something…”
Hayden waves me off. “Have fun. If you need me to pick her up, just shoot me a text. I gave her plenty of cash.”
He pulls off, and as soon as he’s out of sight, Sierra races to my truck and excitedly waits for me to meet her there.
I shake off the feeling that we’ve been doing this forever.
This feels an awful lot like coparenting.
I make the short drive to Aspen’s Boutique and find Joy and Rayna’s vehicles already parked in front.
We’re greeted by the jingle of bells from above the door, and it’s Joy who rushes over and pulls us into a hug one at a time.
I’ve driven past this place countless times, but never made it inside before now.
There are racks of clothing, mostly vintage-style dresses, but along the back wall is a section of classic sundresses.
A yellow one with cream and blue flowers immediately catches my eye, but I don’t say anything.
I’d rather just go with whatever everyone else likes.
“What do you think?” Joy asks, holding up the exact dress I’d been eyeing.
“Really? I was just looking at those!” I say as I take hold of the dress to get a better look at the pattern.
“I like this one!” Sierra approaches us holding a very similar dress in blue.
We try them on, and I can’t stop myself from getting slightly teary-eyed when Sierra steps out of the dressing room wearing the gorgeous blue dress.
It looks like it was made for her. She looks beautiful, and her age.
Not like someone trying to dress older. I absolutely love it and couldn’t have made a better choice myself.
When Rayna steps out of the dressing room, she immediately fawns over Sierra.
I can’t blame her. I’ve been awestruck ever since she stepped out of the dressing room.
Joy walks out wearing a beautiful cream-colored lace dress.
It falls just above the knee, and there’s no stopping the grin that spreads across my face.
She looks absolutely gorgeous. It isn’t matronly and has a classic elegance that is befitting of a bride.
“I thought you already had a dress,” I say as I gesture for her to spin so we can get a better look.
“This is the dress. I already have it but couldn’t help but try it on so you guys could see. What do you think? Do I look like an old lady? Should I go with something else?”
“No,” Rayna says, stepping forward to join their hands. “You look absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait to see Tate’s face when you walk out looking like that. I bet he cries and gets all mushy.”
Sierra and I make it over just in time for her to twirl once again, and I have to agree. “You look absolutely stunning. I can’t wait to see Tate’s face.”
While we’re standing there admiring Joy, the door bursts open as River rushes in to join us.
Joy already mentioned that River would be coming straight from the office, so we quickly wave off her attempted apology.
It takes a moment before it registers that Joy is in her wedding dress, but I see the moment it does.
River’s face lights up with a grin to match the rest of ours.
“So, this is the one?” Joy spins once more.
“Absolutely!” River answers before heading toward a rack of dresses. “Now, let me see what I can find.”
I glance at my reflection as I get changed, and it hits me.
I look happy. My cheeks have a splash of color, and my eyes shine.
This might be the first time in my life that I’ve been truly happy, and I force away my worries about what happens next.
Everything is great right now, and that’s what I choose to focus on.
I’m happy, and this group of women has welcomed me into their circle.
And I’m lucky enough to share this moment with Sierra.
I step out of the dressing room in time to see River admiring her reflection in the mirror. She’s picked out a dress similar to the rest of us and is absolutely glowing. Happiness looks good on her, too.
“Do we all have our dresses?” Joy asks once we have all finished getting changed.
“Yes, ma’am. I think we have our dresses,” Rayna answers for all of us.
My eyes sting as I look around at the small group.
We are wedding-ready. I’ve never had sisters or a close group of friends, so this feeling is foreign to me.
Once again, a whisper of doubt sneaks in, but I shove it away.
With a wide smile, I produce a credit card and pay for mine and Sierra’s dresses, a new sense of anticipation taking over.