I turned to Joel. “It’s Ace’s and my…”
He nodded. “I couldn’t make the first wedding, but I damn sure am making this one.”
So that was what was happening? Ace and I were renewing our vows on our wedding anniversary?
“He’s a romantic. That boy.” Joel shook his head and smirked. “Live long and prosper, huh?” Joel commented.
I smiled at him. “That was all it took. Our mutual love ofStar Trek. And he taught me to skip stones that day. Right before he told me he was going to be a pilot.”
“He was trying to impress you,” Joel said.
We both laughed.
“Probably. But I believed him. I knew Ace could be anything he wanted to be.”
Joel and I sat there, talking and eating for the next thirty minutes. I suspected that this experience with my father-in-law was a gift. To somehow make up for the lost time.
Ace knew that I’d gained a soft spot in my heart for Joel. I suspected Joel had one for me and Aiden, as well.
“It’s time for me to get you to your next appointment.”
“Where’s that?” I asked, retaking his hand to stand.
“You’ll see.”
We started for the parking lot.
“Leave your car. Micah is sending someone to pick it up. This ride’s on me, doll.”
Ten minutes later, Joel held open the door of a dress shop. I walked in to be welcomed by the smiling owner.
“Mrs. Townsend?”
I nodded.
Her eyes lit up. “It’s a pleasure to meet you finally.”
I looked over at Joel.
He nodded at the woman. “She’s all yours, for now. Bring her back in one piece or my middle son will have my ass.”
The woman laughed, but I suspected Joel wasn’t joking.
I followed her to the back of the store. We entered a sizeable dressing room. On the far wall hung a stunning white silk slip dress.
“Your husband chose this one for your special day.”
Before I put on the dress, another woman entered the dressing room. She did my makeup to perfection and styled my hair into big barrel curls that were pinned up, with a few hanging down loosely. They both helped me to get dressed.
The white dress against my skin looked heavenly. I ran my hand over the silver locket that the V-neck cut of the dress perfectly displayed.
“One final thing.”
I turned to find the owner holding a sunflower crown. She placed it around my head, and I found myself searching for the tissues Aiden had given me earlier.
“He warned us to make sure your makeup was waterproof.”
I laughed as I blotted away the tears with one of the Kleenex Aiden had given me earlier.
