“Thanks, Cedric. I’ll see you later.”
Ellis held the door for me, and outside, the warm day was bright enough for me to lift my sunglasses to my face, hiding the fact that I was startled by Cedric’s behavior. We’d not spent much time together in the last few weeks, but maybe he’d always been a little weird.
“Rhodes will be here in two minutes.” Ellis looked at his watch. “You need to tell him about that whole thing.” He was frowning.
Clutching the flowers, I looked back at my little shop with the green awning and cheery sign. My shoulders tightened even as Rhodes’ truck pulled around the corner.
“I know. Just give me until after the ceremony.” Ellis frowned at me, but he gave a curt nod. “Let’s just enjoy Kipp and Hattie’s day.”
“Fine,” he ground out, but narrowed his eyes at me.
On any other day, I’d have laughed at him or made a joke, but instead I took comfort in the safety he represented and kept my eyes on the truck as it slid to the curb. Opal was already wavingat me from the backseat, a big grin on her face. God, she was a cutie.
“You coming with us today?” I asked Ellis as he opened the door for me.
“Nah, I’m going to take a few hours. Rhodes has you from here. I’ll see you in a little bit for the shinding.” He gave me a wink. “Don’t forget what we talked about.”
I nodded in agreement as he closed the door. Rhodes wouldn’t say I was overreacting, but I would still make sure to tell him. I just wanted to enjoy Kipp and Hattie’s wedding first.
“Looks like you did good.” He scanned my face as I climbed in, the posy clutched in my hand. “That’s perfect for Hattie. She’s going to love it. I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.” Settling into the seat, I let the calm settle over me now that I was with Rhodes. When I was around him, there was a sense of peace that came over me. Maybe that’s why it was easy to decide then and there that I would move in with him.
Downtown was only a few blocks long, but the brick building with the courthouse looked stately, with two columns under the May sky. It was just before noon when we parked and unloaded. Kipp might have thought he was going to get one by us, but he didn’t know that Hats had let us all in on their plans. Mattie had already spoken with the clerk and gotten a spot for all of us to hide until they arrived.
“I’ve got my two best girls. Now remember, Oppie, we’ve got to be ninjas. Stealthy.” Opal took our hands, swinging off them like she was a monkey taking little hops as we went.
“What’s sfealthy mean?” she struggled around the word. Rhodes had her in the cutest little gingham dress, but her Mary Jane shoes looked like they already had dirt on them. I’d bet that while I was at the shop, she had been outside with her fairy houses chasing Cheese.
“Quiet.” He held his finger to his lips. “It’s a surprise, remember?”
“Ninjas. Sfealthy. Like pandas?”
She screwed up her nose as we skirted around the edge of the building to the back entrance.
“I’m not sure they’re very stealthy.” Rhodes chuckled.
“They’re like ninjas. They’ve got masks, Daddy. Like the movie.” She released his hand and made kung fu motions.
“Ohhh. You’re right. Exactly like that. Let’s practice.” He gave me a wink, and I held back a little chuckle. Somehow, I didn’t think we needed to be that quiet.
Maggie was waiting for us down one of the hallways and motioned us forward, tucking Opal against her as they giggled together in the excitement of hiding. We all crammed together as the rest of the Holts showed up, East and Lila sneaking around the corner first. The area wasn’t that big, so Rhodes had pulled me close against him, his hand splayed over my stomach, and his breath warm against my hair. It was easy to relax against him even as we squashed into the space and Chloe jabbed Wade in the ribs.
“Tell me when you see them. I want to give Hattie her flowers.” I waved them at Phiny.
“Iwill. Be quiet,” Phiny snapped back.
Everyone snickered nervously, and just when I was wondering if I’d have to sneak out to pee, I caught sight of Hattie’s waterfall of blonde hair next to my brother’s broad shoulders. The alcove we were crammed in happened to be just off to the side of the corridor they’d pass by to the judges’ chambers.
“Uncle Kippers!” Opal darted between us with an alacrity that might be alarming if it weren’t so funny as we all gasped. “Aunt Hattie!”
Apparently, our stealth move was up as Kipp and Hattie turned to meet the crowd. Kipp swept Opal up in a hug, complimenting her dress. “Look who we found. What a surprise.” He didn’t look surprised at all, and I wondered if he’d known all along.
“We’re here to see you get married. Daddy says I have to be quiet, but I was quiet enough.” Opal huffed as if we’d asked for a miracle.
“We’re so glad you came,” Hattie sidearmed me. “Those are perfect, Sage.” Thank you so much. Her lip wobbled a little as she took the bouquet I made for her.
She looked beautiful in her simple white sundress, but it was the love in her eyes as she looked at my brother that was worth a million dollars.
