“Kurt, zip your lip.” My mother pursesher lips.
“My fake wedding?” I look from Kurt to mymom.
“What? That’s what Ben is calling it.”Kurt shrugs, looking at me for a different answer.
“Let’s call it my traditional weddingwith everyone I love and care about.”
“Okay, whatever.”
“Hi Katie.” My dad pulls me into a hug.
“Hey Dad, how are you?”
“Better now that you’re here.” My dadalways knows how to make me feel wanted and special. I suddenly realize howmuch I’ve missed him and Kurt, even my mom. I’ve missed Crystal Falls. I clearthe lump that’s formed in my throat before I can talk.
“Well good, I’m glad. Ready fortomorrow?”
“I’m ready.”
“Where’s Cole?” My mom asks, lookingaround for him.
“He’s getting the rental cars.”
“Cars?”
“He thought it would be better to get twosince Kit, Coop, Race and Luke are here.” Two dark suburban’s pull around tothe front. “Here they are.” Cole climbs out of the driver’s seat and then pullsLaura’s luggage from the back.
“Okay, I’m going to head home.” Laurahugs me. “I’ll see you later this afternoon, out at the vineyard.”
“Sounds good. Thank you for everything.”I push her back so I’m looking at her, the tears finally making it to thesurface. “I mean that Laura, I love you. I love you like a fat kid loves cake,more than I love cake, and you know how much I love cake.”
“Oh sheesh.” Laura sniffs back her owntears. “We can’t start crying now. We still have to make it all the way throughtomorrow.”
“My mom started it.”
“I love you, Kate.” She pulls me into afierce hug. “Okay. I will see you later.” Kit has gotten out of the car and isholding her luggage. I watch them make their way through the small airportparking lot.
“All right, we’ve got a schedule to stickto.” My mother claps her hands together, ushering us down the sidewalk.
“We do?” I’m not surprised. I’m sure mymom has every second planned, right up until Cole and I say goodbye to everyonetomorrow night.
“Yes, we do. Why doesn’t Cole geteveryone settled at the hotel. We’re all meeting at the vineyard at four for asmall rehearsal. We’ll have time to unload the dresses and a few other thingsthen.”
“But it’s just after noon. What are wedoing until then?”
“Annie and I have some last-minutedetails to go over with you. Oh, and what were they delivering to your housethis morning?” My mom keeps pushing me towards the car.
“They delivered something to my house?” Iglance back at Cole, who’s been silent. “Save me,” I mouth.
“Yes, I think it was a bed of some sort.”
I stop, laughing, still looking at Cole.“A bed.”
He just shrugs.
He comes up giving me a kiss. “I will seeyou soon, Cookie.”
I want to pout. I want him to stay withme, to be my safety barrier. But I know he needs to make sure the guys arecomfortable.
