With all my heart.
With this life.
Guess my life has always belonged to you.
And with it, I will set this one thing right, I promise you.
Forever,
Cash
Tears blurred my eyes, my chest squeezing so fiercely as I set the letter aside and pushed back the folded layers of the tissue paper to reveal the dress.
A soft gasp wisped free, and a tear slipped down my cheek as I let my fingertips flutter over the cream-colored fabric. Fabric that was covered in the most intricate beads.
My limbs shook so badly I was worried I might drop it as I pulled it out and held it up to inspect it.
My gaze drifted over the stunning, fitted cut. It looked like it would go a couple of inches past my knees. Bare straps and a plunging neckline, a slit riding high up the side.
More of a formal party dress, and just like Charleigh had suggested, it was the most gorgeous thing I’d ever seen.
I couldn’t believe I would be wearing it today.
That I would stand in front of Cash Cunningham and become his wife. I turned toward the full-length mirror in the corner and held the dress up against me. Picturing myself standing in front of Cash wearing it.
Spindly spines of sorrow cracked through my insides. God, how much I wished it was real, too.
But it didn’t matter the plan or the purpose, that’s what it was to me.
Real.
Because I knew, without a doubt, the love I had for Cash was the truest thing I’d ever felt.
I jolted when a soft knock rapped at the door. “Hey, Daisy?” Piper called. “The kids are ready if you want to come tell them goodbye.”
“I’ll be right there.”
I carefully laid the dress back into the box, then slipped from the room.
All three of my children came running, each fervidly wrapping their arms around my waist and legs.
A circle of adoration.
“I can’t wait to see you at the wedding, Mommy,” Colin said as he tipped his face toward me, his precious grin only making that pressure grow thicker.
“You get a really good husband, Ms. Daisy,” Maci said with her beaming smile. “My uncle Cash is really strong and really good, so that means you got the best husband.”
There went that squeezing. My throat closing off in a way that made me feel like I was suffocating.
“He’s one of my favorite people in the world,” I forced out.
It wasn’t a lie. I just hated that this wedding was. That these children didn’t understand. That they were confused. But I was afraid if we offered them the real truth, that confusion would only be exponential.
“Because we’re your favorite first, right?” Addy peeped, peering up at me. “But now that Mr. Cash is our family, he’s got to be our number one, too.”
I brushed my fingers through her hair. “That sounds about right.”
“All right, this train is leaving!” Piper said with a ton of enthusiasm, though I could feel the tiny bit of worry behind it. Like she could sense the despondency that rolled through me, all mixed with the awe.
