Suddenly, every minute they’d spent worrying about the decorations was worth it. This was the dream Ashley had described on her first visit to Happy Petals. The glamor and gloss, the sense of something special happening between two people who loved each other.
The chandeliers and fairy lights sparkled from beneath the wooden ceiling, casting a soft glow over the flowers, the lace-covered tables, and the pretty decorations. It was a glorious sight to behold and one she was immensely proud of.
“It looks incredible,” Laura said quietly from beside her.
“That it does.” With one last look at the chandeliers, and a word of thanks to Pastor Steven, she ticked off the last task on her checklist.
Against all odds, the barn was ready to host Ashley and Matthew’s reception. Now all she had to do was get ready for the wedding.
Chapter16
Sean stood in his living room watching the chaos around him. Nathan and Liam were taking everything in their stride, but Matthew was incredibly nervous. It wasn’t surprising considering what had happened this morning.
When Matthew told Ashley about the surprise wedding, her mouth had dropped open and she hadn’t said a word. Once the shock of the unexpected announcement had worn off, the breakfast they’d planned had turned into a stream of questions Matthew didn’t want to answer.
After Ashley’s bridesmaids arrived, the enormity of what was happening galvanized them into action.
When Sean and Matthew left the bridal party, they were sitting around the kitchen table, eating the pastries Matthew had bought from the bakery, and reading the schedule for the day.
Sean just hoped Ashley turned up for the wedding.
Reaching into a box, he handed Matthew a bow tie in the same deep gold color of their vests. “Don’t ask me how to tie it. I had to watch a YouTube video to do mine.”
Nathan sighed. “Matthew should be okay. I spent hours teaching him how to wear a tie.”
“That was years ago,” Matthew mumbled as he attempted to recreate Sean’s bow.
Liam cleared his throat. “If you want a demo, I can teach you.” He waved his hand in front of his perfectly symmetrical bow tie.
Nathan’s eyebrows rose. “Don’t tell me you wear them to work.”
“Not to work, but I like to wear one when I’m going to the opera.”
Sean smiled at the surprise on his brothers’ faces. No one knew Liam liked opera, let alone enough to sit through a full production. “It’s time you came back to Montana. We don’t recognize the cultured, new-age hippy you’re turning into.”
“His fascination with opera could be because he’s getting old.” A cushion struck Matthew in the chest. “Hey. I’m only stating the obvious.”
“The obvious isn’t appreciated. I’m only three years older than you are.”
Sally hurried into the room. She took one look at Matthew’s feeble attempts to create a bow tie and sighed. “You’d better hurry. Molly said Mom and Dad are on their way to the church. Most of the guests have arrived, too. They still think they’re there for an engagement party.”
Sean checked his watch. “They aren’t supposed to be there for another half hour.”
“You know our relatives. They love a party, especially when it’s in Montana.”
Nathan pulled on his shoes. “We need to leave. Even if we hurry, it’s a fifteen-minute ride into town from here.”
“I’ll call Becky,” Sean said as he took out his phone. “In case any guests arrived early, Pastor Steven organized light refreshments for everyone. All they need to do is go down to the church’s cafeteria.”
Nathan grabbed the keys to his truck. “Good idea.”
Liam turned Matthew around and created a bow tie at record-breaking speed. “There. At least you’ll look presentable for your bride.”
Matthew looked more nervous than he’d ever been. “What if Ashley has changed her mind? She couldn’t speak when I told her we were getting married today.”
“Stop worrying. She won’t change her mind.” Nathan placed his hand on Matthew’s arm. “You love herandyou bought her the perfect dress. What more could she want?”
Sally groaned. “I can’t believe you said that. Ashley has a choice and, if she chooses not to—”
