Eventually, reluctantly, Anders takes me back to Wetherill and kisses me good night on the doorstep.
Dad and Sheryl have invited Mum and Keith and Bailey and Casey over for dinner. They did say Mum and Keith could stay in the guest room—I sense Sheryl wanted to smooth things over there too—but Mum opted to stay at a hotel in town. Only we can know our personal limits, what we’re able to endure, and for Mum, staying with Dad and Sheryl would have been too much.
It was the same for Kelly and Brian, I imagine, when they declined our invitation to come to the wedding. Kelly called me direct to say that she appreciated the invitation and sincerely hoped it would be the happiest of days, but she felt thatit wouldn’t be appropriate for them to join us. She and Brian couldn’t leave Laurie, for a start, but she also worried that their being there might take some of the shine off Anders’s day. I was relieved they said no, to be honest, but grateful Kelly called me to talk it through.
Anders still goes to see them and Laurie every month or so, but it doesn’t weigh him down like it used to. I’ve been with him on a few occasions when Kelly and Brian have encouraged him to bring me. It’s never easy, but they’re kind to me and I know it helps Anders to feel more at peace with the situation.
He was worried at first that I’d be bitter about the fact that it had taken his in-laws to convince him to divorce Laurie, but I understood. He needed them to release him from his obligations. A man as honorable as Anders can’t break free of his chains on his own.
On Saturday morning,Bailey comes over bright and early to get ready with me. She looks so beautiful in her burnished-gold, matte-satin dress, her chestnut hair piled up into a tousled bun.
As for my outfit, it’s a constructed design formed of alternating juxtaposing fabrics: silk and matte satin. It’s architectural and I love it. I didn’t think I’d ever wear white—or in this case, cream—but then I saw this dress and couldn’t imagine myself in anything else.
Although a few old friends have been lovely enough to fly over for the wedding, Bailey is my only bridesmaid. I remember when I used to refer to her as my half sister—I can’t even think when I stopped, when she simply became my sister—butnow she’s also my friend. Mybestfriend. There’s no one I would rather have standing at my side today.
Apart from Anders, of course.
Jonas will be there for him.
Fredrickson brothers and Elmont sisters.
Bailey and Casey are happy, still making a go of things here in town, and Bailey is still employed at the golf club, albeit part-time now. The rest of the time, she works with Tyler to arrange events at the farm. The two of them have been talking about setting up their own company, but Tyler wants Astrid to grow up a bit first. I love that she and Jonas gave their daughter a Swedish name.
Jonas wonders if one day she’ll want to take over the farm herself.
“Who says it has to be the oldest brother?” he asked aloud a few weeks ago, when he’d had a few beers.
Whatever happens, I know that he’ll be okay. He loves what he does, but if farming is not the path his children would choose for themselves, he won’t force the issue.
Patrik and Peggy are coming tonight, traveling down from Wisconsin, which is where they retired to. I think it’s been good for them, getting some distance. I’m not sure Patrik would ever have put his feet up if he’d lived locally.
They’re doing well. Patrik is actually going to be driving the tractor that will be bringing the wedding party to the farm in a covered trailer that we’ve hired specially. Jonas suggested it, more as a joke than anything, but I loved the idea. He offered to drive us himself, but I thought he should be with Anders today. Anders told me that his dad was looking forward to getting behind the wheel again.
It’s time. I’mnervous and I don’t know why—I have never felt more certain about anything in my life. I think it’s because so many people will be here and I’ve never enjoyed being the center of attention.
I sit between Mum and Dad on the way to the farm, holding their hands as the hot wind slams against the plastic cover of the trailer. The weather is brutal, but it could be worse. At least it’s not a tornado.
My palms are sweaty. I’m glad we’re getting married inside the barn. The high ceiling means it never gets too hot in there.
Everyone is quiet on the journey—even Bailey. She smiles at me, smiles at her mum. I look across at Sheryl and smile at her too. We had a nice time last night—even Mum seemed relatively relaxed. Sheryl took her outside to show her the orchards and I think they made some sort of truce.
Patrik pulls up outside the barn and a few stragglers turn to look. I wonder where Anders is—up at the altar already, I imagine.
Dad helps me down from the trailer and we walk together to the barn, but then he lets me go.
“See you in a while, Little Bird,” he says, giving me a kiss on my cheek and smiling at Mum.
I turn and take her arm.
I couldn’t walk down this aisle without her, not after everything she’s done for me. She practically raised me single-handedly. But I didn’t want to walk down the aisle without Dad either, so he’s taking Bailey to the halfway point and then he’ll wait to accompany me the rest of the way. It’s unconventional, but it feels appropriate.
The band starts playing a gentle acoustic number, guitars and other strings. The lead singer sounds like Sufjan Stevens. Wilson put us in touch with them, but he and his blues band are playing later.
Everyone files inside, leaving Bailey and Dad and Mum and me alone.
Bailey looks at me. “Love you, sis.”
“I love you too.”
