The following day,I make good time, choosing to limit my stops. The remainder of the trip is much less stressful. But as crazy as the day before may have been, I shouldn’t complain. I managed to see some great sights, enjoyed the best jambalaya I’ve ever had, and acquired a fairy godmother. I giggle. Who knows if I’ll ever see Betty again. But knowing a brassy lady like her would have my back if I needed it… well, that alone puts last night in the win column.
Lost in my thoughts, my body jolts in excitement as my eyes land on a bright green highway sign ahead. ‘Welcome to Sycamore Mountain.’Yes! Finally.
Exiting the interstate, it doesn’t take long to see the similarities to Candy Cane Key. As I approach the light at the end of the off-ramp, a lone gas station sits on one corner, and an off-brand fast-food restaurant and a bait and tackle shop on the other. There are miles of desolate farmland interspersed with clusters of evergreen trees as far as the eye can see. Occasional hay bales are dotted amongst the tall grass, instantly making me smile. The beauty of this mountain town, unspoiled by strip malls, theme park gas stations, and five-star golf resorts, is undeniable.
What the—?I stand corrected. This place may have one blemish.
Cocking my head to one side, I repeatedly blink, attempting to focus on the sight before me. As I drive closer to the farm on my right, a man standing next to a riding mower comes into view. An old guy with a beer belly wearing an animal print Speedo. I can’t help but stare open-mouthed as his form becomes clearer. He bends over to retrieve something, and my face freezes in shock as his pasty white buttocks resemble two pancakes separated by dental floss. What on earth?
Is that old guy wearing a cheetah thong?
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAR
“Oh, Ellie.”Blinking away tears, I take in my sweet friend.
“Charlene, is it too tight?” She runs her hands down her flowy off-white gossamer dress. There’s a bohemian air about the A-line gown that suits her girl next door vibe to a T. The look and feel of it is ethereal. Perfect for a summer outdoor wedding with the evergreens of Sycamore Mountain as its backdrop.
“Babe, are you crazy? This gown couldn’t be more perfect if someone had drawn it on you.” I move in closer, dropping my chin to her shoulder as we both peer into the floor-length mirror. My gorgeous friend has always reminded me of Jessica Rabbit. She’s got a long mane of red locks, beautiful porcelain skin, and curves in all the right places. “You look amazing. And your tatas look incredible in this thing.” I giggle, holding my hands in front of her breasts, pretending to squeeze them. That is, until her eyes hold mine and the reality of the situation takes over. I can’t help feeling a little misty-eyed again. “Could you have imagined this, back in high school?”
“This gown? Or marrying Matt?”
“Both.” I laugh. I’d met Elliot Albright, or Ellie to her friends, our senior year in high school. It was a tumultuous time for her. For both of us, truth be told. But she had no idea the degree to which that year would changemylife.
Ellie had been living with her grandparents, and while the home was full of love, it was short on finances. This and her curvy body type made her the target of many cruel jokes amongst the bullies in our school. Heck, at one point, we weren’t entirely sure Matt wasn’t one of them.
That time seems so long ago now. While I was new in town, I shared very few details about myself. As much as I felt an instant bond with her, my life was complicated. It was essential I kept my secrets locked up tight. So, I tried to be there for her when she needed it and downplayed my personal situation.
Stepping back from my friend, I reach up to straighten a loose tendril of red hair that had escaped the confines of my handiwork. I’d just finished weaving her glorious thick tresses into a half up-do that is both intricate and whimsical. For the finishing touch, I’ve tucked a few sprigs of brightly colored wildflowers in the back in lieu of a veil. “And your makeup is flawless if I say so myself. You’re positively glowing.”
She blushes. “Thank you for helping me with everything.” Ellie wanders over to the window, using her fingertip to gingerly pull back the sheer curtains, peering out to the ceremony location below. “Is Harrison here with Harlow? I knew there was some concern about getting everyone here.”
“Land sakes alive.” I ball my fists on my hips, my inner southern diva coming out to play. Norma Jean would be proud. “You know there’s absolutely no way he’d miss his brother’s wedding. Heck, Harrison has considered you a sister since long before Matt proposed. He would’ve moved hell and high water to be here.” And practically did. Ellie’s rich brother-in-law had flown his entire extended family to Sycamore Mountain for the celebration.I bite my lip at the recollection of his offer to fly me here with them. It would certainly make life simpler if I could just hop on a plane.
But then you might’ve missed that rollercoaster of a road trip.
Not that it matters. This is a one-off. Hopefully, Matt and Ellie will come to visit more often now that his brother Harry is married with kids. I mean, it’s not like they don’t have a million-dollar oceanfront beach house to stay in when they’re in Candy Cane Key.
Ellie turns to grab my wrist. “I’m so glad you have Harrison, Harlow, and the kids there with you in Florida if you ever need anything, Char.” Since she’s not there, she means.I adore Matt’s brother and his new family. “They’re good people,” she adds. ButEllie has to know it’s not the same. Yet then again, it feels as if she’s moved on without me here.Not that I blame her. If a handsome firefighter had swept me off of my feet as Matt had, professing his undying love for me, it would be difficult to walk away.
My chest squeezes. But Ellie’s circumstances are far different than mine. No sense even considering such a thing. “Yes. They are.” I smile proudly. “But today is all about you.”
Her eyes well with tears, and I grow weary. Following her line of sight, I take in her bridal bouquet by the door. “Oh, Ellie. It looks just like the ones from your pops’s yard.” I clasp my hands in front of me, remembering how he’d toiled over the flower and vegetable gardens before he became so sick.The two of them had been incredibly close through the years, but especially in the end. Ellie cared for that man until the very day he died.
She lets out a little sniffle. “I know. It feels like he’s here with me.”
“No, ma’am. There’ll be no crying, missy.” I waggle my finger at her before wrapping her tightly in my arms. “And there’s no doubt in my mind he is.”
“I’ve missed you so much, Char. I know we have video chats and texting. But it’s just not the same as grabbing margaritas at The Wild Shrimp on a random Wednesday.”
Pulling back, I take in the vision before me. “Oh, babe. I was going to say, nothing like the good ole days. But something tells me you have many more ahead of you.”
Ellie smiles, the stretch of her cheek muscles bringing her freckles out to play.
“Now, let’s go get you hitched.”Looping my arm in hers, I escort my best friend to where she’ll tie the knot with the love of her life.
Ellie stops in her tracks. “Oh, as I live and breathe.”
