“I know.” Kat’s face doesn’t look like she means that.
“So, where is she now?” Robbi asks.
“Still in Ames. They’re trying to find a more secure place for her. A judge will have to get involved. The escape will add to her time.”
The poor girl. I feel bad for her, I really do. Her father is a terrible human being. He let her swing in the wind, as they say. He knew she had psychological problems and essentially did nothing to protect her or the people who lived around her. I think he’s lucky more people didn’t sue him.
Clapping her hands, Kat smiles. “Let’s talk about something happy. Like Harper. How is the beautiful Miss Thompson?”
I beam with pride. “Good. She’s a happy baby.”
Saffie snorts yet again. “She gets fussy like Cooke.”
The girls laugh and I shrug. “She sure does.” Life’s not so easy when the two of them are grumpy, but I still love them.
When our hair is finished, I take a moment to look at each of my friends. “You all look amazing.” And they do. Cooke was right about the style. It’ll be great with their dresses. I let each woman choose the style they liked as long as it was in the same pale pink. That way, they’ll all feel comfortable in a dress that suits their individual bodies.
“Your hair looks ethereal,” Lindsay says, sounding wistful. Of all my girlfriends, she’s the one who’s the most romantic. She’s hoping to meet one of Cooke’s former rugby teammates today and fall madly in love with her own “British hottie”. Her words. I hope that for her too––as long as he’s good enough for her.
“Thanks.” I guess. Ethereal, to me, means light and airy. Imagining myself as that makes me laugh. I’m definitely not light.
“All right, ladies.” Patsy claps. “Time to get dressed.”
Which means it’s time to feed Harper. Like it was choreographed, Caroline appears holding a fussy Harper. Reaching out, I take her in my arms and kiss her and sniff her head.
“Not a wink,” she mumbles. “The little bugger didn’t sleep a wink.”
Hearing Cooke’s mom say “bugger” causes the entire group to laugh because she’s ordinarily so prim and proper.
Sounding wise, Kat says, “Maybe that means she’ll sleep during the ceremony.”
I like what she’s saying, and I’ll do my best to remain optimistic. But she’s a two-month-old infant. She’s going to do whatever the hell she wants. We just need to expect it and accept it.
I quickly unbutton my top and tug at my nursing bra. The second she gets close enough, she makes one final cry and then she’s eating.
“Wow,” Lindsay says, staring at my little girl. “Shewashungry.”
Chapter Three
“Ladies.”I hear someone clap. I look up and see Bridget, the poor wedding planner using her arm to wave us to the doorway to the ballroom. “It’s time.”
We decided not to get married in a church. Not for religious reasons but because there wouldn’t have been enough room for Cooke’s guest list. So, we decided to get married in the large hotel ballroom and hold the reception in the same place. I’m going to take credit for that idea. Pure genius if I do say so myself.
Feeling a bit of nerves wash through me, I take in several deep breaths. I look to the front of the line at Lindsay. She’s got hold of my ring bearer, Mary—our old landlord Vic’s beloved pit bull—on a leash. She doesn’t need the leash, but Vic thought it’d make everyone feel safer, especially Mary.
“Smile everyone. Smile,” Bridget says with a squeak. I bet she can’t wait for this thing to be over. I need to tell Cooke to give her a big bonus. She deserves it.
I look over at my father, who’s been very quiet the last few days. “You okay, Dad?”
Giving me a fake smile, he pats my hand that’s resting on his arm. “Of course. Just a little sad.”
“Sad?”
“Losing my little girl today.” I can’t believe my eyes. There’s a tear threatening to drip from my big, strong, stoic father’s eye.
“Daddy.” I turn and move in closer. “You’re not losing me. Plus you’ve got a new little girl in your life.”
A second tear makes its way down his cheek. “My granddaughter is the second-best gift I’ve ever gotten.”
