“Besides,” Molly offered, “I don’t think Wyatt’ll let anyone else near her.”
A moment later Brooke brought the gown to Mia. “Time for the big moment.”
Mia stood in her slip, and Brooke helped her into the gown while Molly stood back, hands folded as if in prayer.
Mia’s long blonde hair was worn in a loose updo with artfully arranged curls framing her face. She was gorgeous. And she was just as beautiful on the inside.
Even Grace’s breath caught as Brooke slid the bodice into place. The dress was as elegant as the bride with a halter neckline thatshowed off her square shoulders and slender arms. Once Brooke buttoned up the bodice, the gown fit like a dream. Delicate sequins sparkled under the lights, and the gently flaring skirt swirled around Mia’s legs as she turned to look in the full-length mirror.
Molly clapped, her eyes shiny. “You look amazing. Levi’s going to faint dead away at the sight of you.”
“I hope not. He has some vows to get through first.”
Grace wasn’t one to cry at weddings. She really wasn’t much of a crier at all. But seeing the two empty front-row chairs in honor of their parents challenged that quality. As did seeing Mia’s long-lost father escort her proudly down the aisle.
And watching Levi’s expression shift as his bride walked toward him...
He looked so happy. So in love. He’d sacrificed a lot for Grace and Molly. He’d given up his job, his apartment, his whole life in Denver to come here and run this inn. And then he’d stuck with them for four years while they’d made a go of it. Yeah, he was annoying sometimes. Bossy. Intrusive. But he’d gotten better about that. And Grace didn’t know many brothers who’d have done what he had. She loved the big lug, and he deserved happiness more than anyone she knew.
And these thoughts were doing nothing to help with the teary situation. When she blinked a tear streamed down her face, probably wrecking all of Brooke’s hard work.
Grace looked away from her brother, seeking distraction, and her gaze collided with Wyatt’s. He was sitting in the third row, watching her intently. Saying a thousand things with just his eyes. His dark hair was neatly combed, his jaw freshly shaven. He looked so handsome in the black suit and crisp white shirt. He must’ve gone shopping. Worth every dime.
His lips tipped up just then, and her heart stuttered. Literally, a chest palpitation. She almost clutched her heart.
Grace swallowed hard and looked back at Mia, who was joining Levi at the front. But all Grace could think of was Wyatt and the feelings that had just zipped through her. She’d never felt this way before—not even close. Was she falling in love with him? Had she already fallen in love? Impossible. It hadn’t even been three weeks.
Did Wyatt feel the same? Or was this some little fling to fill the time? He had so much more experience in this area.
Maybe it was just the wedding. Maybe she was having one of those ridiculous girly moments. A flight of fantasy where as she watched the celebration of true love, she wished it into being for herself. That was so uncharacteristic of her though.
She wanted to seek out Wyatt’s gaze again, try to determine if she’d seen love in his eyes or maybe just affection. But she was afraid her feelings were written all over her face right now.
She forced herself to pay attention as the pastor prayed, then segued into a beautiful explanation of married love. The ceremony was brief and poignant, the love the couple shared so apparent in the looks they exchanged, in the words they shared. There were no songs, no poems, just a heartfelt message by the pastor and the quiet exchange of vows.
Throughout the ceremony Grace periodically checked the skies and the lake, fearful they’d have unwelcome guests. But it appeared all their work had paid off. The twenty-seven guests and all those who’d helped make this day happen had managed to pull off a quiet celebrity wedding.
In no time at all the pastor pronounced them husband and wife. Levi took Mia into his arms and placed a loving kiss on her lips. When they broke apart the smiles on their faces could’ve lit an entire city.
***
It was taking forever to get to the part Wyatt was most anticipating—the dancing. Not because he’d been blessed with great rhythm, but because he couldn’t wait to get his arms around Grace.
He’d hardly been able to take his eyes off her tonight, from the time she’d walked out the back door until now, as she watched Levi and Mia share their first dance on the makeshift dance floor.
The sun had set during the ceremony, and darkness had slowly fallen. The small crowd gathered on the large patio where round tables were set up. Now the meal was finished, and the bride and groom swayed together under the twinkling lights to the soft strains of a string quartet.
“It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?” Grace’s chin was propped on her palm as she watched the couple. A wayward curl had fallen from her updo and kissed the curve of her cheek.
“Beautiful,” he said.
“The weather sure cooperated. And the sunset was—”
“Perfect.”
She must’ve caught the tone of his voice, because she turned his way.
“Did I tell you that you look amazing tonight?” he asked.
