Chapter Seventeen
The sun rose higherin the sky, telling me that in a few hours I’d be married. I didn’t care about a big wedding ceremony. It was more about a formal goodbye to my sisters and a representation of a new beginning for Dylan andme.
Aunt Cathy stuck another hairpin in the back of my head. This would be the southern invasion in the country club. “Are you sure you don’t want me to contact yourmama?”
“No thank you. She hasn’t been a part of my life for a long time. I’m happy that you’re here,though.”
“Me, too, dear. I’m just sorry I didn’t have my dress foryou.”
I looked down at the white dress I’d chosen from the ones Mrs. Dumont had rushed over this morning. “I don’t even want to think about how much thiscost.”
“Don’t you worry about that, dear. Mrs. Dumont likes everyone to know how rich she is. Besides, she wanted to keep something classy with the Magnolia Corners invasion of herclub.”
Sadie laughed. “I hope Ashton tells his mother about the menu before the reception. Sweet tea and mint juleps with caviar and wings is probably not the normalfare.”
She dug a shoebox out of a bag she’d brought with her. “I think it’s a dream come true for her, actually. She’s always wanted to throw a wedding at the club, so you’re doing me a favor. Maybe I won’t hear at every family dinner about how I dragged her son down to a county fair to getmarried.”
Zoey opened the bridal waiting-room door. “Hope you don’t have a limit on that thing.” She laughed and handed Sadie a creditcard.
“It’s fine. Did you get everything?” Sadie asked, opening a shoebox and handing me the most amazing white shoes with clearheels.
“Yes. We need to be ready soon. The minister is waiting. Groom is pacing the floor and watching the door in hopes you don’t escape.” Zoey retrieved the bouquet of flowers from the table and held them out to me. “Come on, sis. Time for you to getmarried.”
Sadie and Aunt Cathy backed away for a moment, giving me room tostand.
Zoey knelt and fluffed out my skirts. “Hey, big sis. Did you have the talk with her? I mean, we wouldn’t want to finally get her to the alter, only to have her run away on her honeymoonnight.”
I kicked her with my fancyshoes.
“Ow!” Zoey squealed and stood, offering her arm tome.
“You just wait… You’ll be getting married before you know it,” Iteased.
Zoey sighed a little heavier than I’d expected. “Marriage isn’t in my future.” She quickly shook off the second of sadness and covered it up with a pinch to mycheek.
I smacked her. “What was thatfor?”
“You need to be a blushing bride, right?” Zoey trotted off to the door. “See you at the end of the aisle. I’m going to go make sure your groom has smelling salt, because when he sees you in that dress, he’s going tofaint.”
I looked to Sadie after Zoey closed the door. “Did you noticethat?”
“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll speak to her after thewedding.”
“What?” Aunt Cathyasked.
“Our sister has boy troubles.” I shook my head. “I’ve been so caught up in my own, I haven’tnoticed.”
“No, don’t do that. Don’t worry about anything, including your sister,” Aunt Cathy ordered. “This is your day. Now get your tail down that aisle and marry that man so you can go live yourdreams.”
I took in a long, soothing breath and walked to the outer doors of the garden room, where everyone waswaiting.
Zoey popped out. “It’s time.” She took her position in front of me, directing Aunt Cathy up front. “Usher will seat you as the mother of the bridenow.”
Mr. Dumont came out and offered his arm to Aunt Cathy, who held her head up prouder than anyone in that room. I was happy she was here to share thisday.
“Okay, wait for the wedding march and then enter. Got it?” Sadieasked.
I only nodded, feeling like the glass heels would break on the way down the aisle or a sheriff would appear to arrestsomeone.
