Chapter Twelve
Trey slipped his arms through the sleeves of his suit jacket. It struck him as peculiar that he’d attend a wedding tonight, when he’d buried his father earlier that week.
But then, death didn’t answer to anyone else’s timetable.
His father had held on for a month, four weeks that Trey would treasure forever. They’d had incredible conversations during that time and saw a period of healing and restoration. On his dad’s better days, Trey would help him into a wheelchair, and they’d go for walks through the hospital’s prayer garden.
They had been difficult days, but they had been beautiful ones.
Alexis had joined them when she could. He suspected she would have been with him more, but she wanted to give him plenty of time alone with his father. Neither he nor his father would have minded her presence. Dad was enchanted with her and loved when Alexis would read to him from the Bible.
For this part, Trey simply liked having her around. She’d been his rock over the last month. A beacon of light in the darkness, she intuitively knew when to speak and when he needed her to just be with him.
The doorbell rang, and Truffles barked gleefully. She knew who was at the door, and if he knew Truffles, she waited with her tongue hanging out.
“Come in,” he called out. “I’m in my office.”
“I brought you treats, sweet girl,” he heard Alexis tell Truffles. “You’re looking great without that cast, though you sported that neon pink like a champ.”
Trey laughed. Some days, he suspected Truffles liked Alexis more than him, but he didn’t mind. There was plenty of love to spread around.
Alexis poked her head in the door. “How’d her first night of freedom go?”
“As expected.” He grinned and gave the furry troublemaker, who’d ambled into the room, a pet on the head. “I do believe she’s been so spoiled while casted that I’ll have to send her to obedience school again.”
“Not my sweet Truffles.” Alexis stooped down and gave the pup a big head, heedless to the fur getting on her jeans and sweatshirt.
“Are you set for tonight?”
“I believe so. Mom’s meeting me at my house, then we’re meeting Tynley and Harper at the salon in an hour to get our hair done for the wedding. The church is decorated, and the caterers will be there this afternoon.” She stood up and leaned against a bookcase. “I’m sorry you’ll have to meet me there. Go figure, I have a date for a wedding, and we can’t even show up together.”
“I don’t mind.” He pulled her into his arms. “You enjoy the prep time with your family, and I’ll be there after the reading of the will.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me there?”
He crooked a finger under her chin. “Your family needs you today. I’ll be fine, promise.”
“I’ll keep my phone on me if you need to talk.”
“Don’t worry about me.” He kissed her nose. “I love that you care, but this is your sister’s big day.”
“Call me when you’re out regardless. I’ll feel better if I hear your voice and know you’re okay.”
“All right, I’ll call you when it’s over,” he conceded. “Even though I’ll be going straight from the attorney’s office to the wedding.”
Her gaze travelled over him. “Is that what you’re wearing to the wedding?”
“Yes. Why? Is it too much? Not enough?”
She grinned, and a rogue gleam twinkled in her eyes. “You look good in it, that’s all. I’ll be the envy of all the women tonight, except Tynley that is.”
He broke out into laughter, then sobered and lowered his voice, speaking in a husky tone. “Does that mean I get all the dances?”
“For as long as you want them,” she whispered.
There were a million tasks he had to complete, but suddenly, everything else could wait. He trailed a finger down her face, traced the line of her neck. His breathing slowed and came to a near stop when he saw the way she looked up at him. Her beautiful brown eyes stared at him with complete trust and affection.
He’d never tire of that gaze, and he prayed that he’d always be worthy of it. After all they’d been through, they’d found forgiveness, and then happiness.
