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.
