He glanced at me, the desire to rush to them apparent in every line of his face.
“Go.”
He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Do you want to take Jane or should I?”
I wanted to take our girl and introduce her to my two best friends. But I wanted to see the look on his family’s faces when they saw her for the first time.
“No. You go ahead.”
I stood back, my fingers pressed to my lips, waiting for them to realize.
Theo made it to James first. When Silas saw him, his eyes widened and his eyes darted, searching for us. He grabbed Lemon—who was holding a dark haired toddler in a pink dress that had to be one of Anna’s twins—and whispered in her ear. She scanned the crowd.
Holden and Christy were next, standing on tiptoes, searching. Then Ford. Then Blue, who was chasing the other twin, a brown haired boy wearing a blue jumpsuit.
Then, finally, Bo and Jenny noticed.
When Jenny saw Ashton, she gasped, her face crumpling into tears.
Ashton’s long legs worked in his favor, taking massive strides across the grass. And then it was the biggest huddle of hugs, kisses, and laughter that I’d ever seen.
I smiled, so happy.
Jenny was already reaching for Jane. But our shy toddler cowered against her daddy. Which only made Ashton laugh.
“She looks like you,” I heard Jenny say.
“You got tall,” James said to Theo.
Ashton glanced over his shoulder, somehow knowing thatI was watching. Grinning, he tipped his head for me to hurry toward the barn.
I picked up my skirt and jogged to the entrance. I pulled the door open and stepped inside. It was the fanciest barn I’d ever seen, and it was fully decked out with twinkle lights, tulle, and gorgeous arrays of pale pink tulips—ready for a killer reception.
I heard talking coming from a room at the far end on the right. So I tiptoed over the boards until I came to the sliding barn door. It was cracked just barely, making it perfect to peek inside.
Anna stood behind Brooklyn, who was at a mirror, touching up her makeup. Anna picked up a bobby pin and slid it into Brooklyn’s updo. Brooklyn glanced off to the right at something I couldn’t see.
“It was an unrealistic hope, honey,” I heard Brooklyn’s mom say. “That trial could go on for years. Heck, she may never get to come home. Let’s put her dress away. It’s only making you sad.”
I shifted, trying to get a better view. And that’s when I saw it. A pale pink bridesmaid dress, the same color as the tulips, laid across a chair by the wall. My hand pressed over my heart. Brooklyn bought me a bridesmaid dress not knowing if I’d even be here?
I couldn’t wait another second. I grabbed the metal handle and slid the door open with a hard tug. It went flying, slamming into the stopper. Everyone gasped and turned.
Anna’s hand went to her mouth. Brooklyn jumped out of her chair. And then the three of us raced across the room, meeting in the middle in a three besties sandwich once again.
“Oh my gosh, you’re here!” Brooklyn squealed.
“I’m here.” I laughed.
“And you never have to leave again?” Anna asked.
“I never have to leave again.” I stepped back, one hand ineach of theirs. “Oh, Brook,” I said, taking in her dress. “You’re stunning.”
She shrugged. “’Course I am. It’s my wedding day.” Her head gave a little shake. “Wait. Where’s your baby?”
I curled a finger and they followed me to the window. I pointed to Jenny who was holding Jane. Looked like she’d won her over after all. But then Jane’s lip trembled and she reached for Ashton. Okay, we had some work to do.
“She’s blond,” Anna gasped.
