Every time I think I’m going to make an inroad to connect with her, someone is there, blocking my approach.
Finally, we’re both out near the arch while the coordinator, Blaire, is running through the order of how the rehearsal will run. Carli just happens to be standing next to me. We’re all crowded in a semi-circle, all eyes on Blaire.
I reach over and brush my pinky against Carli’s. Her head whips in my direction, and when she realizes we can’t be caught, a soft smile forms on her lips.
“Miss you,” I mouth silently.
“Miss you too,” she says, still smiling.
Then she turns her head and focuses on Blaire with a determination in her gaze.
Blaire runs us through the ceremony, having all the bridesmaids start from around the corner of the barn and us groomsmen up front by the arch with Westley.
“Okay, first bridesmaid,” Blaire shouts. “Music will be playing. Take your time. That’s right. Okay, next!”
The women emerge from the side of the barn, one after another, and finally Carli, McKenna’s maid of honor. Her eyes lock on mine as she walks up the lawn toward the arch. I force myself to keep a neutral expression even though my skin hums and I’m lightheaded watching her.
She glances away and takes her place next to Daisy.
“Okay, music will change. The guests will stand,” Blaire says. “And McKenna will come out from behind the barn escorted by Mr. Lawson.”
McKenna steps out. She’s wearing a cream dress and cowboy boots and smiling with her arm linked around my dad’s elbow.
“McKenna, take your time going up the aisle, make eye contact with your guests. Good. Good. Then you’ll arrive here.”
McKenna stops at the front row of chairs.
“And the pastor will say something like, ‘Who gives this woman in marriage?’”
Dad says, “Her mother and I do.”
Mom’s in the front row right where she’ll be tomorrow for the ceremony. Tears spring to her eyes.
“I should have had a handkerchief,” she says, sniffling.
Blaire whips one out of her skirt pocket like she’s Mary Poppins and anything you need is only a tug or wish away.
Dad walks McKenna up to Westley. He takes her hand.
McKenna and Westley stare into one another’s eyes.
Blaire says, “And then the pastor will say some things. He’ll have you say your vows.” She looks between Westley and McKenna. “You wrote your own, am I right?”
“We did,” McKenna says.
“Good. Well, you’ll say those, and then he’s going to say, ‘I now pronounce you man and wife, yada yada.’ And then he’llintroduce you to your guests and he’ll say, ‘You may now kiss the bride.’”
Westley steps toward my sister and dips her, kissing her like a man who’s been away from the woman he loves for far too long.
When they’re standing again, he looks at Blaire. “Just rehearsing.”
We all laugh.
“Okay, let’s run through the recessional.”
We file out in pairs. I’m not matched with Carli. She and Westley’s best friend, Benji, walk down the aisle together. I walk out with Winona.
After the rehearsal, dinner’s served in the barn.
