Chapter 45
KELSEY
Sterling Springs, New Mexico
I’ve been bouncing my knee, the way I’ve seen Sutton do when he’s antsy, for the last ten minutes. For weeks now, we’ve spent nearly every moment we could together—at Gloria’s, at the coffee shop, in bed. That’s made spending this morning and early afternoon away from him feel like an eternity.
So now, I’m sitting in the pew at the historic event hall next to Grace with one consuming thought—I want to see Sutton. That time should come soon enough because the wedding is supposed to start any minute.
When I look up, Grace is watching me with an amused grin. “Nervous for someone else’s wedding?”
I shake my head. “No, just anxious to see my boyfriend again.” I gnaw at the inside of my cheek and smooth out my dress over my knees. “Am I that bad?”
She covers her mouth to quiet her laugh before dropping her hand back in her lap.
Even though she’s looking at me, her other hand never lets go of her husband’s hand and it looks so natural and comfortable.
“I think that’s a totally normal response to wanting to see the person you love.
” Her wide smile is infectious. “You told him, didn’t you? ”
I nod and my lips lift into a contented smile. “Yeah, I did.”
“Shouldn’t the wedding have started by now?” TJ’s deep and unmistakeable rockstar voice interrupts our moment.
We both turn to look at him and his brows furrow when he looks down at his phone and checks the time.
“The wedding was supposed to start twenty minutes ago and the groom’s party isn’t even at the alter yet.
Believe me, I’m all for fashionably late arrivals and on stage theatrics to get the crowd riled up, but this doesn’t seem right. ”
Unease sets in because he’s right—I’ve been so focused on just wanting to see Sutton that I haven’t noticed anything else.
Grace and I both check our phones and my heart sinks when I realize that he’s right.
The officiant, groom, the groom’s parents, and the rest of the wedding party are no where to be seen.
I don’t think we’re alone in this realization because the rest of the small crowd begins to murmur and heads look around the small Sterling Springs event hall.
Motion near the alter pulls everyone’s attention to the front of the room and the officiant steps out with what can only be described as a grim expression.
The demur older man, that I recognize from dinner last night, steps out and wrings his hands together awkwardly.
The room quiets and the only sound is him clearing his throat.
“There’s no easy to say this, but there won’t be a wedding today.
” A collective gasp sucks the air out of the room and he tries to continue.
“The families want to thank everyone for coming this weekend.”
Commotion breaks out in the room and no one is listening to him anymore. Everyone is talking amongst themselves, including us.
“Oh no,” Grace covers her mouth. “I hope Sisi’s OK.”
“Mmhmm.” I can barely muster making the sound audible.
I’ve only known Sisi for a day, but she seems so sweet and kind, like her brother.
She must be devastated right now. My heart reels for Sutton though because I know how much he cares about his family and how he’s going to find some way to internalize this and try to take some of the weight off of his family’s shoulders.
If I was anxious to see him before, I’m desperate to be near him now.