Tara turned, running down the steps. Rachel made some last-minute adjustments to Riley’s hair before ushering her out of the room. Rebecca held up the small train while she went down the stairs. Caroline followed, holding her stomach as theknots twisted at seeing Jameson again. She knew he returned home a few days ago, but he never came to see her.
The wedding music played, and Rebecca, Rachel, and Caroline took their seats. Feeling the heat of Jameson’s gaze on her, Caroline refused to glance in his direction, watching the bride walk up the aisle.
Riley beamed and glowed as she smiled at Garrett. A tear ran down her cheek as Tara escorted her to the groom. Caroline watched as Garrett’s chest puffed out and he swiped at his eyes, full of emotion at seeing his bride walking toward him.
The lump in her throat grew larger as she took in the scene, feeling sad at all she had lost. At one point, she thought Jameson cared about her. Instead, he saw her as a job, then as a friend.
Riley exchanged her vows. “I, Riley, take you, Garret, to be my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward. To love and cherish you always in sickness or in health.”
“What about obey?” Garrett said, teasingly.
“You’re not the boss of me,” she said, laughing. The small group joined in, knowing Riley’s favorite phrase for Garrett.
“I, Garrett, take you, Riley, as my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward. To love and cherish you in sickness and in health. You’re my entire world, sweetheart. You have my heart forever, Riley,” he said, gazing into her eyes. Caroline dabbed hers with the tissue as she witnessed the strong bond between them.
Garrett’s attention turned to Tara, and he motioned her forward. “Tara, I welcome you into our family with open arms. I know we will butt heads over your choice of boyfriends and how late you can stay out on dates. I will never replace your parents, but I promise to protect you and love you as a big brother.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small turquoise ring and slid it on her finger. “I love you, troublemaker. I’m honored to call you my family.”
Tara choked up and flung her arms around the big bear of a man. “I love you, Garrett,” she said, sobbing. When they pulled apart, she showed Riley her ring, who smiled with happy tears.
Tara returned to her place, and they continued the ceremony.
“I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Garrett, you may kiss your bride.”
Garrett picked Riley up and twirled her in the air as she cupped his face, laughed, and kissed him. The couple seemed oblivious to those around them as they shared the moment together. Then Garrett set her down on the grass, and they walked down the aisle together. Jameson extended his arm to Tara, who looped hers around it, and they followed. Caroline glanced at Jameson to find his gaze fixed on her.
The couples hung around while Garrett and Riley took wedding photos during the beautiful sunset. Tara joined them for a few before running inside the barn with her best friend, Kara. They lit the building with twinkling lights throughout, while fans kept the guests cool. Servers passed out a selection of drinks and appetizers, and Caroline found a chair in the corner to observe the crowd.
Rachel and Matthew sat an arm’s length away when the music started.
“Riley did a wonderful job. Everything feels like the two of them,” Rachel said to Matthew, who nursed a beer.
“It’s simple and nice,” Matthew agreed.
“Why won’t you talk to me about our wedding date?” she asked quietly. Caroline heard the longing in her voice.
“Do we have to have this conversation here? We recently got engaged, and I don’t see the rush. We’re living together and getting used to one another’s quirks,” Matthew reasoned, watching the crowd.
“Riley and Garret have known each other less than we do, and he insisted on a wedding right away,” Rachel said, the hurt in her voice evident.
Matthew pinched his nose. “I know you’ve changed. You’re working extremely hard at becoming the person you want people to see and recognize. Sometimes, I feel like you still try to manipulate me. Yes, I have money, and we can afford a few luxuries. It doesn’t mean I want to spend fifteen hundred dollars on a pair of shoes you’ll likely wear once a year. You refuse to take budgets seriously. I want a couple of rugrats running around someday. Not today, but sometime later. You refuse to discuss it. You can’t manipulate me anymore.”
“I haven’t manipulated you,” she exclaimed through clenched teeth.
“Really? Tell me you believed Riley wanted a seventeen-hundred-dollar pair of shoes when she wears cowboy boots and sneakers everywhere,” Matthew challenged. “What about the wedding gift? Don’t get me wrong, I love your sexy outfits, but it doesn’t mean you need designer everything.”
“Let me get this straight,” Rachel hissed. “You won’t set a date with me because I haven’t changed enough for you? I make a living and deserve a treat every once in a while. You didn’t seem to complain when you found me wearing the lingerie in bed.”
“You’re missing the point. Marriage means compromise. It’s not about what you can hide from me until the bills come in and justify it later. If you don’t want kids, then say it,” he said irritably. “Sometimes I feel you changed for my benefit, not your own. What happens when you start to resent me?”
“Like I do, right now?” Rachel rose from her chair. “I’ve done everything to prove I’m not the same woman from Serenity. If you didn’t plan on marrying me then you shouldn’t have givenme your ring,” she said, pulling off the jewelry and pressing it into his hand before fleeing the barn.
“Rachel,” he growled as he rose to follow her.
Caroline’s heart broke for her friend.
“May I sit here?” Jameson asked, hovering over her.
“Be my guest,” she said, icily.
