Definitely the best thing in his life.
No dogs in the wedding. No animals period
You’re a spoilsport. Ralph would be so CUTE in a little tux
I’m not wearing a tux. What makes you think I’d put one on my dog?
You’d wear a tux if I asked you to
He had no argument for that, so he tucked his phone away. They’d agreed on a navy suit, but if he pushed the point, he’d wind up in a tux for sure.
“You love her.” Gene’s quiet certainty cut across his reverie, and Colt looked up to find Grandaddy’s gaze on his face.
“I do.” Gene had almost finished eating, so they could get out of here soon. Colt had never looked forward to the end of a meal quite so much. He spread his hands, palms up. “What do you want from me, Grandaddy?””
“I want you to let go of what you can’t change.”
Hadn’t he been doing that for a solid month now? Hell, longer than that. He lifted both hands. “I am.”
Gene laid his fork down with a precise clink on the plate. “That does not mean letting go of your family relationships to protect yourself.”
Hell, he was back to managing only tiny sips of air. He rested both palms on the table, centering himself. “What am I supposed to do? I know what he means—”
“What you’re supposed to do, son, is trust me to love both of you, to hold equal space for you.”
“Grandaddy–”
“Do you trust me, Colt?” The tone – and that dark gaze so like his own – brooked no argument.
“Yes, sir.” No need to think there. Grandaddy had never given him reason to doubt. Colt was the untrustworthy one here. Day to day, he tried to be as upright and honest as he could, but Gene was right – he couldn’t undo the past.
“Then stop hiding from me, son.” Grandaddy covered Colt’s hand atop the table. “Stop running. Rest awhile and let us love you.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I don’t know who’s worse.” Sports bra clinging wetly to her breasts, Holly dropped her towel next to her gym bag. Despite the cooldown, her pulse still thudded a little, lungs full of that lovely post-cardio burn. “His mama or mine.”
A wide smile stretched Lorraine’s full mouth. A fine sheen of sweat glistened on her chest and arms. “Oh, I bet it’s Mona. She’s been waiting for this for years.”
“Sue has her moments.” The pair of older women formed a wedding juggernaut for sure, full of ideas and suggestions. Sue possessed a wealth of practical knowledge and local contacts, though, so Holly had been surprised with how quickly they’d made progress with planning.
And Sue listened to her more than her own mama did, a super nice surprise. Holly had a sweet little relationship unfolding with her future mother-in-law, and she kind of loved that. Sue was in her absolute element, which was fun to watch, too.
Holly tightened up her ponytail, wedding details sparkling through her mind in a giddy flow. She would have the most gorgeous flowers ever, thanks to Sue, and Mrs. Lenora was chasing down vintage furniture for their outdoor ceremony on the lake at Pinecrest. “Did I tell you I found my dress?”
Brows raised, Lorraine froze in the middle of patting down her neck and chest. “Excuse me? You went dress shopping without me?”
“No.” Holly waved that away with an as-if gesture. How could Lorraine even entertain that? “I was thinking about Caitlin wearing her great-grandmother’s dress and I went over to Mama’s and dragged Grandma’s out of the attic and tried it on. Oh, my Lord, Lorraine.”
“You’re wearing your grandma’s wedding dress from the sixties.” Disbelief sent Lorraine’s brows higher. Holly got that – she’d been skeptical upon removing the dress from its storage box, but it had so much potential. The veil was adorable, too, a lace cap to be fastened over an updo and trailing layers of tulle to the middle of her back.
Maybe she’d wear one layer for Colt to lift and kiss her or have it altered to a vintage-style birdcage veil.
“Once I have it altered, yes.” Holly waved her arms like a bird taking flight. “Those gauzy bell sleeves have to go, but the shape and fabric are gorgeous. And it fits like a dream. Megan McGuire is going to do my alterations.”
“That’s great.” Lorraine pouted. “I was looking forward to the whole hunt for the dress thing, though.”
“Come with me when I meet with Megan.” Holly shrugged and shouldered her bag. She pulled her phone free and scrolled through the texts she’d missed during their fitness dance class. Her mama, Sue, Barb . . .
