I halt, caught off guard by the stunned tone of her voice. “What?”
“Harrison must’ve brought Jo.”
Peering down the hallway,I spot Salty Jo making his way toward us. I hadn’t realized the old coot was coming.
“Jo,” Ellie gasps, her arms extended for her grandpa’s best friend. Iknow as tough as it’s been for me to get used to life without Ellie, it’s been equally tough on Jo.
Ellie had made quite the name for herself in Candy Cane Key, cooking up some of the finest southern dishes around. She’d dreamed of opening a restaurant focused on her grandma Joan’s recipes one day. Yet at that time, the only place she could afford to rent was the deli counter in Salty Jo’s gas station and convenience store. After years of Florida hurricanes had ravaged the place, it looked like it should’ve been condemned. But residents drove from miles around to enjoy her cuisine.
“You look beautiful, Ellie. Your pops would be so proud.” It doesn’t take long, and all three of us look like we’ve been watching a Nicholas Sparks movie marathon.
I smack his arm before dabbing my eyes. “Now don’t go ruining her makeup, Jo.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Ellie. But when I saw you two beauties coming down the hall, I couldn’t stop myself. I’ll come and find you after you and Matt tie the knot.”
“Thanks so much for coming all of this way, Jo. It means so much to me.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, my dear.” He clears his throat awkwardly. “I know it’s a little late to be offering. But if you need someone to walk you down to meet your beau, I feel pretty sure your pop would grant me permission to stand in for him.”
Oh, now he’s done it. I glance away, blinking rapidly, hoping I can contain the tears. When only one manages to escape, I turn back to find Ellie wrapped in his arms, Jo retrieving a handkerchief from his jacket pocket.
Ellie carefully dabs her eyes, nodding to Jo as he gives her a fatherly smile.
“I’m going to check in on the groom. But I’ll meet you over there when it’s time.” He points a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the aisle. Jo moves along in search of Matt, andwe continue our way outside.
“Thanks, ‘ole man.” I tease. “Good Lord, at this rate we’ll havecried every speck of makeup clean off before the first stanza ofHere Comes the Bride.”
As we approach the picturesque location for her ceremony, white wooden chairs all lined in rows, I can’t help but feel a tad envious. I mean, who wouldn’t want to have this? A beautiful wedding in this stunning mountain setting amongst the people who care most about you? All of them wishing you well for a future filled with love and happiness.
Yet I’m a realist. This simply isn’t in the cards for me. I mean, when your own mother can’t love you enough to keep you happy and safe, you learn life is no fairy tale.
CHAPTER SIX
DAVE
“Hi, baby. You look so pretty.”
As Matt takes her hand, Ellie smiles up at her Prince Charming, a sweet blush staining her freckled cheeks. “I love you.”
Matt leans in for a kiss, but before their lips meet, the Battalion Chief clears his throat like a human foghorn, reminding the happy couple they aren’t alone. The crowd erupts in laughter as the groom jumps back to his place in an overdramatic fashion. I can’t help but toss my head back in hysterics. My friend’s unbridled love for her can’t be tamed by mere pomp and circumstance.
Thankfully, the day hasn’t been nearly as difficult as I anticipated. It’s not like they made this complicated for their guests. We didn’t have to go beyond our own hometown. And why would we? Sycamore Mountain is the perfect location for an outdoor wedding. The crisp white chairs and black iron arbor decorated in wildflowers amongst the breathtaking natural scenery is flawless. I can’t imagine a more romantic atmosphere.
The girls have kept the decorations to a minimum. There’s no over the top gauzy shit blowing in the wind. Nothing sparkles. Every element of the day has been chosen to blend seamlessly into the natural environment. Tuesday, our town boutique florist, even chose flowers that would coordinate with the time of year as well as the mountain backdrop. From what I’ve been able to gather, it seems as if each bride picked out her own bouquet. Each has seemed to match their personalities.
While they have a tent erected for the reception, the couples knew it had to serve as a backup plan for the ceremonies as well, ifthe weather didn’t cooperate. But the gods of Sycamore Mountain have shown favorably on my friends. The sky’s a clear wash of blue. And a lazy breeze has kept me from melting in this suit. I’m not sure what possessed me to wear black. Just grabbed my favorite and went with it. Hell, it’s not like I get to wear a lot of Tom Ford around these parts.
Each couple’s ceremony has moved along swiftly, this one included. The Chief recites Matt and Ellie’s vows one last time, and it feels like déjà vu. At least we’ve had the opportunity to get up, move about, and grab a cocktail between each one. I think the girls all made the bartenders swear under oath they wouldn’t let anyone get too ripped before the reception started. But then again, even a fuckwaffle like that rookie, Brecken, wouldn’t risk the wrath of his firefighter brothers by getting hammered during their wedding ceremony.
While I’d been dreading this combined four-couple wedding, it made sense, in theory. To save money and resources, given all of the couples were friends living in the same small town, they each had their own ceremony but gathered together at the end for one combined reception. Particularly since they were the town’s caterer, florist, and baker. Only Jason’s new wife, Quinn, works outside of Sycamore.
Yet, for a bachelor, one wedding is a bear to sit through. Four of them? Hell on a cracker. That’s a lot for any man to endure.
Quite honestly, seeing my burly, tatted firefighter brothers all so ecstatic to marry the loves of their lives has been heartwarming. I have to admit, I’m a little jealous. Not enough to actually consider entering into a committed relationship with a woman. But envious of their joy all the same.
After exchanging rings, Chief Robertson clears his throat. Matt and Ellie’s eyes flick over to him. You can hear a pin drop as the entire place grows still in quiet anticipation. “Now, you can kiss your bride.”
The guests all guffaw and clap good-naturedly as Matt pulls his new wife against him and kisses Ellie with such reverence, there’s no doubt they were made for one another. However, as they turn to faceus, the crowd parts. My eyes are drawn to someone else entirely. As if magnetized, my gaze is transfixed on a flash of auburn in the front row.
