Diana stared. “When did he talk to his family?” Their only good excuse for calling this off was his absent parents. If Cliff made things right with them … then they were going to kiss as bride and groom in under a half hour. Her heart leapt to her throat and them plummeted to her toes.Orhe’d not called, thinking that they could annul this without his mom or dad ever finding out. Either way, she was going to have to walk down that aisle, and she didn’t think her knees could hold up for that long, they shook so badly.
Dad glanced up and she nodded quickly, feeling the dozens of bobby pins in her hair tug at her scalp. Sadie made sure she could ride a tornado with this do and it would stay in place. The prelude music started, a signal to the guests that they should take their seats. The large barn doors were mostly closed to block out the sound of a late arrival pulling into the parking lot. She couldn’t imagine who else would show up—almost everyone she knew was in the barn.
“Ready?” Dad offered his arm.
She giggled nervously. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a little girl.” No matter what happened, she wanted to remember this time with her dad. He looked at her with that same indulgent smile he’d used during countless tea parties. Her eyes misted over, and she blinked furiously to save her mascara.
“Me too.” Dad wiped at his eyes and sniffed. “They say the first one’s the hardest and it gets easier from there, but this is just as bad as Sadie.” He sniffed again.
Diana nodded, knowing that she and her father had a special bond. He’d been the one she’d talk to about dates and boys over ice cream. Mom was always so dramatic about things, and Dad was like a calm lake. There were ripples for sure, but nothing made big waves. She tugged her veil over her face and smiled through the gauzy fabric. “Let’s go.”
“He’s a good man, Diana. You chose well.” Dad patted her hand.
“I know.” She warmed. Even if it was only for twelve hours, she and Cliff would be married. She’d be a wife and he’d be her husband. There was something special and wonderful about that. No matter what happened in the morning, she was going to cherish the time they had together, and she wouldn’t let anything spoil it.
They stepped out of the bride’s room, the fabric rustling gently. The water had worked wonders on the gown: the satin and lace were soft and had a beautiful aged patina.
Mom waited for them just behind the temporary walls that blocked her from view. She took a moment to arrange the train and air-kiss Diana through the veil. “Something borrowed,” she gave the veil a fluff. “Something old.” She pointed to the dress.
“And something new.” Diana lifted her arm to show the charm bracelet dangling there. Her heart melted every time she thought of Cliff bending over the display case to pick out two charms that reminded him of her.
“Perfect.” Mom smiled, dabbed at the corner of her eye, and then hurried around the partition and to her place on the front row.
Sadie stepped forward and handed her a simple bouquet of mistletoe.
“I love it.” Diana grinned. She hadn’t thought of flowers, but mistletoe was just the right touch, considering how she and Cliff shared their first kiss. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Sadie’s eyes misted over. Throwing caution to the wind, she threw her arms around her sister and hung on. “You look so beautiful. I’m so happy for you.”
Diana worked to control her own tears. It wouldn’t do to look like a racoon when Cliff lifted her veil.
Soft piano music started. “That’s my cue.” Sadie arranged her features into a soft, serene smile and rounded the corner at a steady gate.
“I hope I can make it to the front of the barn.” Diana pressed her hand to her stomach. “Before the butterflies kill me.”
Dad chuckled. “You’ll get one look at your groom and I’ll have to hold you back.”
She shook her head. She’d be lucky to survive this moment. The wedding march started, and the sound of over fifty people getting to their feet came to her ears. She breathed in deep, smelling pine and cinnamon. Neither were calming scents, and the butterflies took another lap.
Dad moved forward and she floated with him, not even sure her feet touched the floor. It was their turn to round the corner and begin the walk down the aisle. She did her best not to look at Cliff. She had this image in her head of him gazing adoringly at her, and she wanted it so much that she was afraid reality wouldn’t match up.
When Dad placed her hand in Cliff’s, she finally glanced up and gasped. “You shaved,” she whispered. His beard was there, but it was trimmed into a sexy look. She needed to breathe.
His shoulders shook in silent laughter as he lifted her veil. “I thought it was a good idea.”
A good idea? He was seven degrees hotter and melting her right where she stood. “You look good.”
He brushed his thumb over her chin. “You’re more beautiful than a snowflake.”
She sighed gustily. Could they get to the kiss-the-bride part now?
Cliff held tightly to her hand as Pastor Thomas took his place. Beside Cliff stood a man who could only be his brother. He had the same color of hair and the same gray eyes. He was thinner, smaller in the shoulders and grinning at her like he knew something she didn’t. She gave him a welcome smile, so glad he could be there to share in their moment.
The pastor started into the “We’re gathered …” speech, but Diana didn’t listen. Cliff’s gray eyes held hers, and she was falling, falling, falling into the love she found there. Whatever she’d imagined was nothing compared to the reality of this moment.
“If any of you have any reason these two …”
“I do.” Celine’s high voice rang through the rafters.
