I ached with sadness that Mom was missing out on this beautiful day, but I knew she’d want us to enjoy it. When Brock had asked me to stand in her place and dance with him during the mother-son dance, I’d been honoured, and though I’d had to hold the tears back from slipping down my cheeks the whole time, I felt her presence withus.
Valerie picked up Aiden around nine to take him back to her house for the night so that I wouldn’t have to leave the reception early. I watched her taillights disappear down Tessa’s driveway before turning back to the receptiontent.
Tessa was standing on her tippy toes, trying to peer around with an urgent look on her face. I walked over quickly. “What’swrong?”
“We have ten minutes before we do the bouquet toss, and I can’t find Elle,” she answered. I’d just been outside to see Aiden off, but I hadn’t seen Elle. Of course, I hadn’t been looking for hereither.
“I’ll find her, don’t panic,” I said, gently squeezing her arm. I gave her a reassuring smile before I releasedher.
“Who are you looking for?” Travis asked, appearing at my elbow when I was searching faces at the tables. We’d walked down the aisle together and posed together for photographs, but we hadn’t gotten an opportunity to talk to one another. But I was still aware ofhim.
“Elle, or Alex. Or even Braden at this point,” I sighed. I didn’t have a good feeling about all three of them missing at the sametime.
“I just saw Alex leave the tent,” Travis supplied. “Want me to help you findthem?”
“No, that’s alright,” I told him, my lips curling up in the hint of a smile. “If they come back, tell them we’re going to do the bouquet tosssoon.”
“Will do,” Travis answered, his eyes twinkling. “Save me a dance,okay?”
“Maybe,” I smiled back, relieved that he wasn’t angry about the way I had reacted when I found out about his Nashville trip and assumed theworst.
I stepped out of the tent, spotting Elle and Braden standing just before it. “There you guys are!” I said, slowing when I saw Elle’s tear streaked face. “What did you do?” I demanded, glaring at mybrother.
“It’s not his fault,” Elle interrupted, trembling. “I-I think Alex and I just brokeup.”
“Oh Elle, I’m sorry,” I said, hugging her. I shot Braden a suspicious look. He was totally at fault. I’d warned him to leave her be, and of course he hadn’t listened. Not that I’d expected himto.
“What’s happening inside?” Elle asked, immediately slipping back into her maid-of-honour hat. I recognized the avoidancetactic.
“We’re getting ready to do the garter and bouquet toss,” I answeredcautiously.
“Great,” Elle exhaled. I turned to head inside, assuming they’d be right behind me. Tessa was still waiting by the stage. She approached Elle and they talked for a minute. I wandered over to stand beside Katie near the dance floor to wait for the bouquettoss.
Little White Churchplayed while Tessa walked out to the middle of the dance floor and stopped, standing with her back to the crowd of single women behind her, myself included. She looked over her shoulder and grinned wickedly before looking forward again. Tossing the bouquet over her head, it sailed through the air and into Sue Thompson’shands.
“Who’s the lucky guy, Sue?” Tommy joked. Sue waved her hand, her face red with embarrassment. Tommy called all of the bachelors to the dance floor, and I moved to stand off to the side. I passed Travis, and the back of his hand brushed against mine. He winked at me, clearly enjoying himself and the openbar.
Kenny Loggin’sDanger Zoneblasted out of the speakers as Brock dropped to his knees and put his hands behind his back. His head disappeared beneath Tessa’s dress, and he painstakingly removed the garter with his teeth. He stood up, flinging it over his shoulder. It flew straight at Tessa’s dad and landed on hisshoulder.
“Was that intentional?” Tommy asked, laughing. Bill buckled forward and laugheddeeply.
I chuckled, shaking my head. “You know, that’s not a bad idea…” Katie said thoughtfully from beside me. “Bill and Sue, Imean.”
“Everybody knows Bill never got over his wife,” Iresponded.
Katie shrugged. “If I ever died, I wouldn’t want Ben to be married to my memory. I’d want him to moveon.”
“You can’t force people to move on,” I sighed, watching as Braden took Elle’s hand and lead her out on the dancefloor.
Before Katie could respond, Ben grabbed her from behind. “Dance with me, wife,” he said, his lips close to her ears. She laughed and sent me an apologeticlook.
“Go on, have fun!” I told her, smiling. I was content to watch everyone around me enjoythemselves.
My eyes found Travis’s across the dance floor. He brought the beer he was drinking to his lips, taking a deep sip. He licked his lips sensually, his eyes full of promise andlust.
“You look like you needed a drink,” Sam exclaimed, appearing out of nowhere and offering me a tall glass. I’d seen her sitting at the ceremony and during speeches, but I hadn’t had a chance to talk toher.
“That I do,” I sighed gratefully, reluctantly pulling my eyes away from him. I smiled at Sam and took the drink from her. “It’s good to see you again! How have youbeen?”
