“He’s a lucky man. So am I.”
“I’m the lucky one. The luckiest.” She rested her forehead against my chest and breathed in deep.
I kissed the top of her head. “I forgot to tell you. Connie said she loved the flowers you sent her for her birthday.”
“Oh good. Thanks for doing reconnaissance on what type of flowers she likes.”
“No problem. Remind me. What are we doing after the hike?”
“Hunting for seashells on the beach, and then having an early picnic dinner. After that, I have a dress fitting. If you still find me attractive after seeing me in puffed sleeves with laceacross my bodice in a heart shape, I’ll definitely keep you around.”
“Sounds hot. Is there a matching hat?”
“Don't give Jessica ideas.” She squeezed my sides, laughing when I dodged to get away from her. I was extremely ticklish, and without even trying, she’d sometimes set it off.
“You poor thing. I could totally use these fingers for evil.”
“You have no idea how much I appreciate you not doing that.” I wrapped her back up in my arms, loving the way she sighed with contentment.
A minute later, Piper ran back to us with Grace’s cell phone. “I’m all done. Can I go hiking with you guys? I promise not to get scared by the poetry stuff.”
“I might get scared, Piper. You’ll have to hold my hand.” I held out my hand for her, and she took it, immediately running off, towing me along behind her. I reached out for Grace, and she caught up to us and took my other hand. Together, the three of us ran around to the front of the house where the Range Rover we’d rented was parked, and I pulled out the keys.
“Do you think the cops would catch me if I drove it?” Piper asked her mom, completely serious. “Do they have cops here?”
“I think you’re not tall enough to reach the pedals yet. And also, yes, the Mounties would pull you over for sure.” Grace widened her eyes at me, mouthing, “What the heck?”
“She dreams big.” I tossed Grace the keys. “It’s a great quality. Let’s go get some cherry pies and ruin our appetite for dinner.”
Chapter 35 – Grace
“Stop batting each other with your puffed sleeves, you weirdos.” Jessica came over and separated me from her sister.
In this cute upper room in the church where Jessica and Simon were about to get married, there wasn’t a whole lot of space for us not to run into each other, but we stopped our war so she could finish getting the final touches added to her makeup and hair. That, and it was getting stuffy up here. For the first time on the island, I was overly warm. A lace collar halfway up my neck would do that.
Jessica’s dad opened the door a crack. “We’re ready for bridesmaids whenever you are.”
“We’re so ready, Dad. You gals are all flushed in the face. Get out of here, and let’s get me married.” Jessica jumped up and threw her arms around each of us. “You all look amazing, and I love you so much.”
“Same, Jess. Same.” I squeezed her back and then followed her sisters out and down the spiral staircase. Breezy, glorious air caressed my face.
We lined up with the groomsmen, and when the procession music started, we slowly walked down the aisle like we’d practiced yesterday. Dean had told me where he’d besitting, and I tossed him a saucy look as he took in my dress for the first time. He’d seen it hanging up, but it was another thing to see it on me, especially with my hair up and big, with lots of tendrils falling.
Yes, it was a lot, but I was part of a club of women who loved Jessica so much that we’d cosplay Anne of Green Gables for her. We each passed by Simon in his white pinstriped suit and took our places.
Piper came through the door next, tossing flower petals out of a basket with a serene gaze. Her dress matched mine, except she also had on a lavender sailor hat with the ribbons tied under her chin. When she reached Dean’s pew, she stopped to wrap one arm around his neck in a quick, strangling hug that made him laugh.
Dang it, I was getting teary already. My makeup was prepared for it, but I wasn’t. I had purposely kept things light and goofy while we waited upstairs with Jessica for this very reason.
My gaze swept over all the guests until I focused on Henry sitting on the same pew as Dean. In this little old church, his voice carried as he told the person sitting next to him, and the rest of us, that Jessica and Simon got up early this morning to watch the sunrise together on the first day of their marriage.
I did not need to know that, because now actual tears fell from my eyes, and that was before Jessica and her dad entered the chapel, waiting for everyone to stand up so they could walk down the aisle. She looked so ready for this. I was in love with her dress. White satin, with perfectly tight sleeves all the way to her wrists. She winked at Simon, and he smiled back. The biggest smile I’d ever seen on him.
At that moment, a joke came to mind. Not one of Rob’s. Something the internet had gifted me. That of all the mistakes I’d ever made, adding too much cheese to a recipe wasn’t one of them.
I wasn’t used to being this tenderhearted. It was new for me to not hold it in, only sprinkling out bursts of sentimentality when it felt safe to do so.
But could you enjoy a moment too much? Feel too much happiness? Could you tell someone you loved them too much? Show it too much? I didn’t think so. I might as well dump all the cheese on the goodness of this day and love it.
