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.
