Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Luke
A half hour before West and Presley’s wedding, I couldn’t begin to sort out the shitstorm in my head.
The last two days had put me through a goddamn wringer. The last two months actually, but now that it was Christmas Eve, everything was culminating at once, both good and bad.
The barn was finished on time, and with a functioning furnace, thank all the fucking things, just in the nick of time. We’d finally gotten a working unit installed last night after the rehearsal, and now, twenty-four hours later, the temperature inside was right where we wanted it to be.
West was on top of the world. His daughters were so excited; it was a tangible force that swirled around them. I was elated for him and Presley and their girls. He’d found exactly what I wanted.
Well, not exactly. I’d had my heart set on a strawberry blonde instead of a brunette.
Unfortunately it appeared that desire was one-sided and based on a delusion, because Magnolia hadn’t said one single fucking word to me about our disagreement two days ago.
We’d been reduced to polite remarks only when necessary in the company of others.
Luke, you’ll stand here. Luke and Chance, you’ll enter from here at this time. Wedding party, your table is there.
Not one word of regret about blowing up at me for trying to do something nice for her.
Silence could convey a lot. Hers told me I’d cared a whole bunch more than she did.
I was in the mens’ getting-ready room of the barn with West, Chance, and Thomas, West’s stepfather, when my phone buzzed with a notification. I pulled it out of my pocket to read the message from my father.
Dad: Addie and I are here. She’s itching to show you her dress.
Luke: I’ll be right out.
I shoved the mental shitstorm aside, told the guys I’d be right back, and walked out to the main room. I paused for a moment and took in the scene before me, letting myself really see what I’d done here with the help of my friends and employees.
I’d practically lived in the barn for the past week, and especially the past two days as I’d dealt with the heating issue.
The rehearsal had been here last night, followed by dinner at Henry’s, which I’d been late for because of said heating issue.
We’d already had the first look and taken care of all the wedding party photos, the formal ones here in the main room in front of the altar.
So yeah, I’d spent a hell of a lot of time in here, but only now did I really see the place.
It looked fucking incredible, if I did say so myself.
It was even better than I’d envisioned now that all the soft touches had been added for the wedding.
That was Magnolia. I could fully admit she had a special talent.
She’d transformed the barn into a beautiful, magical winter wonderland, with loads of greenery from our farm, fairy lights, silver ornaments, ribbons, and accents, and cozy LED candlelight.
It smelled of pine, wood, and now the savory dinner the caterers were busily prepping in the kitchen.
I couldn’t see them from here, but I could hear their clinking and sense a hive of activity beyond the opposite wall.
I’d held on to hope for the months this project had taken, and now, being able to see it all fall into place, I believed I had a winner here. This humble barn would serve as a gorgeous venue for weddings and whatever else anyone wanted to hold here far into the future. I felt sure of it now.
“Daddy!” Addie’s voice drew me out of my thoughts, and I spotted her and my dad just inside the double entrance doors. She waved frantically, holding my dad’s hand.
I waved back and headed toward them, through the few guests who’d already arrived and were being seated for the ceremony at the opposite end.
“Wow,” I said as I approached them. “When did my doodlebug turn into an actual princess? You look stunning, Addie.”
She let go of my dad’s hand, held her lacy burgundy dress out to the sides, and spun around for me to admire her.
Her hair had big curls held back by ornate clips on each side, thanks to Emerson and Willow, who’d styled hair for the bride, her bridesmaids, West’s daughters, and had kindly included Addie in the mix.
My dad was damn good with her, but his hairstyling skills left a lot to be desired.
“I told her she might outshine the bride,” my dad said.
“Wait till you see Miss Presley,” Addie said, her eyes wide with awe. “She’s beautiful.”
“Snow’s coming down pretty good out there,” my dad said.
I glanced outside as the door opened and saw there was maybe a couple of inches of snow on the ground.
Then I realized it was Ben who’d opened the door. He entered with his four kids. They all stomped snow off their shoes.
“Addie!” Ruby hollered even though they were just feet away from us.
“Can I go see them?” Addie asked.
I looked to my dad for the answer.
“You go say hi to them as they take off their coats, but come back to me before it gets too crowded,” he said. “Maybe we can sit next to them.”
My daughter ran off, calling out to her friends about sitting together. I met Ben’s gaze, and he nodded, as if to say he’d keep an eye on her.
When I turned back to my dad, he was facing the length of the barn, looking toward the altar, taking it all in, from the majestic beams above to the beautifully set tables in front of us and the white-fabric-covered chairs in rows at the other end.
“Luke, I have to admit, this is downright astounding,” he said.
I whipped my head his way to interpret whether he used that word in a good way or a negative one.
He nodded repeatedly as he continued to take it all in. “I’ve been a naysayer from the start, but I finally understand. What you’ve done to this old barn is extraordinary.” He slapped me lightly on the back. “Well done, son.”
I let that compliment sink in, maybe waiting to see if he took it back because it was such a turnaround.
When he didn’t say more, I said, “Thanks, Dad.” Two little words that didn’t begin to express what was going on inside me at hearing him say something positive about the project, never mind praising it.
Addie came running up to me. “Daddy, can I go show Miss Magnolia my dress?”
“Miss Magnolia is very busy today, bug. I haven’t seen her for a while.”
“She’s right there!”
I looked where she was pointing and saw the back of Magnolia in the doorway to the kitchen.
“She might be busy,” I told her, still taking in the back of the woman I was pathetically in love with.
At that moment, Magnolia turned around and looked straight at me, as if she’d felt my stare on her back. Then she shocked me when a smile slowly lifted her face—a real smile that went all the way to her eyes.
“Miss Magnolia!” Addie called, waving.
My decision as to whether to let Addie go bother her was taken away when Magnolia made her way toward us.
I stood there unsmiling, watching her every step, admiring the way she looked in her long velvet dress that hugged her curves and dipped low between her breasts.
Her hair was down in back, with waves flowing over her shoulders and portions of it in a twist on the sides.
She looked gorgeous. When she got closer, I noticed the exhaustion in her eyes.
I knew damn well she was beyond tired and stressed, and I suspected that was part of her lashing out two days ago.
I understood her condition well because I’d been going through similar pressure and overwork.
But it didn’t seem like too much to ask for her to take two minutes to text me before she went to bed at night and say she was sorry.
“Look at you,” Magnolia said, her attention fully on my daughter. “Your dress is beautiful, Addie. You’re beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Addie said, suddenly shy. “So are you.”
“We look very fancy, don’t we?” Magnolia put her arm around Addie in a side hug.
“Addie, we’re getting seats!” Ruby announced as the Holloway family walked past.
My dad was following them and held out his arm to his granddaughter. “Let’s go if you want to sit by Ruby and her siblings.”
“I’ll see you at the reception,” Magnolia said to Addie as she skipped away toward my dad. She raised her gaze to me. “You look good, Luke.”
“We need to talk,” I stated, trying to keep my anger out of my tone since people milled about nearby.
“I agree. Tonight? Afterward? Once you get Addie to bed and I finish cleanup?”
“Text me when you’re ready. I need to get back in there.” I pointed to the guys’ room.
She looked at the time on her phone. “Yes. You and Chance go up in five minutes.”
She was back to business. The only thing for me to do was nod and walk away, unsure how we’d be able to mend our relationship in a few hours.
Magnolia
After sending the breathtaking bride down the aisle, I took a seat in the back row and watched West meet Presley at the altar.
The chairs were nearly full, telling me the snow hadn’t kept anyone away.
Putting my personal life out of my head took effort, but I forced myself to pay attention to every moment while staying aware of the vendors in case any of them needed me.
As West took Presley’s hands, my eyes teared up and spilled over. I made a mental note to always have tissues with me during a ceremony from now on.
West’s face radiated love and a dose of I can’t believe how lucky I am. When I looked at Presley, hers said the same. These two were so perfectly in love.
Along with the sheer joy I felt for them was a poignant ache in my chest. I wanted what they had so badly. I wanted a man to look at me the way West looked at Presley. I wanted someone by my side for the rest of my life.
I wanted all these things, but was I capable of accepting them?
As terrifying as it was to put all my trust into someone else, I was ready with every fiber of my being to try with Luke. But I was worried sick that I might’ve done irreparable damage.
During the thirty seconds we’d talked right before the ceremony, he hadn’t given me any indication that he was open to trying again. Anger had radiated off him, even though he’d been doing his best to keep it inside. I’d been able to feel it.
I knew I deserved his anger, but I also hoped he could find it in him to give me a second chance.
I tuned back in to the ceremony and realized I’d zoned out during the vows.
The bride and groom were about to kiss. As they locked lips and the kiss went on, a dreamy sigh escaped me.
When the bride and groom finally came up for air, the expression on West’s face was a mix of mischief, love, and happiness, eliciting laughter from the guests.
As the string quartet began the processional music, I hopped up. Back to work for me. I had to get through the next three plus hours before I’d know whether my planned grovel was enough to win Luke over.