“I can’t drag this out for eight years,” I said desperately.
“It’s a last-ditch effort,” Hunter assured me. “Do me a favor and don’t try to turn the custody proceedings into a contest with your father. Once he files a suit, then it will be communication through lawyers only. Until then, stay smooth and calm.”
I didn’t know how calm I could be. The wedding was going to take years off my life. I still needed to plan a bachelor party, and vendors were trying to sell Meg-and-Hunter-branded salt-and-pepper shakers carved out of wood.
“Those look possessed,” Amy whispered to me, wrapping an arm around my waist.
I leaned against her, inhaling the floral scent of her hair.
“My grandfather has been carving these for the past five years,” the woman manning the stall insisted. “He’s been waiting for this day forever! It would break his heart if the salt-and-pepper shakers weren’t official merchandising items. Also, my grandmother wants them all out of the house. The basement is full of them.”
“I think we have to give them the official seal of approval,” Amy whispered to me. “I would never overcome the guilt otherwise. Also, I don’t think we want the grandmother to throw them in at the next festival bonfire!”
37
Amy
“What a beautiful dress,” Meg said in a hushed tone as Brea and I carefully lifted the garment out of the long white box.
“Since flowers are a big theme of this wedding,” Brea said happily, “I also made that the theme of the dress.”
We helped Meg step into the ball gown. The thin straps, decorated with lace flowers and pearls, transitioned seamlessly into a V-neck bodice that hugged her curves.
“The girls look amazing in this,” I told her.
“I love how the skirt is full but doesn’t make it seem like my hips are a mile wide,” Meg said, stroking the layers of fabric.
“I attached the layers so that the skirt doesn’t start widening at the waist but rather the hips,” Brea explained as we fluffed out the voluminous skirt. “It makes you look taller and sleeker but still bridal.”
“The flower decals are to die for,” Meg added.
Pearls, tiny crystals, and handmade lace vines and leaves had been embroidered onto the multiple layers that constructed the gauzy overskirt. The dress made it seem as if Meg had just stepped out of a winter forest.
“Here is your bridal-portrait bouquet and a matching flower tiara.” I held up the crown.
“We also have an optional diamond tiara,” Ivy offered, “if you decide you want to go glitzier.”
“No way,” Meg said as I attached the tiara to her hair. “The tiara makes the look too formal.”
Brea and Ivy helped me carefully arrange the veil, which was embroidered with mistflower, violets, blue wild indigo, and other flowers native to the area. The gauzy lace gave Meg a soft glow.
After she was dressed, we carefully helped her outside. We were doing the bridal portraits out at the art trail. There were several nice areas with arcades of blooming flowers and huge old-growth trees.
However, driving there from my grandfather’s farm was an issue.
“Now, don’t be offended,” I said as I led Meg through the property, “but this was the best idea I had.”
“A horse trailer?”
“This is a very expensive horse trailer,” Sebastian said, stepping around the side.
“It costs more than my apartment, I’m sure,” I said dryly.
“Hell, I’ve lived in worse,” Grace quipped as she loaded her bags into the trailer.
“It’s been cleaned,” Sebastian said, helping Meg step up the ramp.
“Drive extremely slowly,” I instructed Sebastian.
