“It’s normal to be nervous,” said Nicole, her red hair stunning against the green of her velvet dress. “I bet Gary’s pacing the floor about now.”
Katie smiled, imagining the scene, with his best man, Steven, attempting to keep him calm. Steven was probably giving sage advice as a married man. Who would’ve dreamed her boss would make it to the alter before she and Gary did?
“At least my mother and father are behaving themselves,” Katie said. “You know, my father finally gave up on advising Gary about the best way to handle me.”
“How did that happen?”
“Gary informed Dad that he was going to report every word of their conversation to me, and Dad clammed up.”
“Has your mom forgiven you for having the wedding at Indigo Bay instead of back in Allentown?”
“Probably not, but I guess we can add it to the list of things she’ll never forgive me for.” Katie glanced down at the sparkling diamond on her finger. “Now that I have Gary, I don’t care so much, anymore.”
“Hey!” Nicole pooched out her lip in a playful pout. “Didn’t I always say you’ll never be able to please your mom? Why do you listen to Gary when you didn’t listen to me?”
“I think it’s because Gary kisses me until I can’t think anymore.”
“Makes sense.” Nicole nodded. “You always did think too much.”
“It’s too bad it’s so cold outside,” Katie said, checking her reflection in the mirror to be sure Carla’s work was holding up. Swept up in carefree waves, not a hair was out of place, except the tendrils Carla had artfully left to adorn her neck. “An outdoor wedding would’ve been fun.
“I think the place looks great,” said Nicole. “I told Zoe I might have my wedding here someday… if I ever find a groom.”
“Maybe you should come here and stay in the pink honeymoon cottage. It worked for me.”
“You think that’s why you and Gary fell in love? Is there some kind of magic in that pink cottage?”
“Maybe so.” Katie winked at Nicole. “Thinking you might book a vacation here this summer?”
“I may have to. I’m getting desperate, since Steven Gherring isn’t available anymore.” Nicole planted her fists on her hips. “When you told me you were marrying Gary, I thought it was my destiny, as maid of honor, to marry the best man.”
“Sorry.” Katie gave a helpless shrug and a grin. “Mr. Gherring’s marriage took all of us by surprise. Especially him.”
The door opened and Carla’s face appeared. “It’s almost time. Are you ready?”
“I guess so. Do I look okay?”
“You look beautiful!” Carla blinked at tears. “And Dax is so proud, he’s about to bust out of his tuxedo. I can’t believe you invited him to be a junior groomsman. It was enough that you saved his life.”
“Stop, Carla! You’re making me cry.” Katie waved her hand in front of her face to dry her tears and prevent a mascara disaster. “I told you it was perfect because Gary had a niece who wanted to be a junior bridesmaid. I thought about asking Cade to be a ringbearer, but—”
“Oh, no!” Carla’s held up both palms like she was warding off a blow. “He would sing and dance in circles the entire time. No one would be able to hear the ceremony.”
“We’d better go.” Nicole pushed them both out of the room, sweet sounds from the string quartet filling the hallway.
They approached the double doorway just as Gary’s four-year-old niece started down the aisle with a basket of rose petals. His nine-year-old niece, beaming in a younger version of Nicole’s green velvet dress, bounced in her first pair of heels, waiting for her turn to go.
Nearby, Katie’s father waited, looking handsome in his tuxedo. She wished his eyes weren’t so sad, but understood why. He was probably missing Kindra.
“Hi, Dad.” She gave him an awkward smile, wondering how she could ease his pain. “Are you having a hard time with this whole thing?”
“Yes, I am. It’s harder than you can imagine to give your daughter away. You’ll understand when you’re a parent.”
“I guess…” She straightened his bowtie. “I guess you’re sad because Kindra never got to grow up and get married.”
He flinched. Maybe she shouldn’t have brought it up.
“Katie, I’ve never been very good at expressing feelings and such. But I’m going to try.” He took a deep breath. “Your mom and I miss your sister, but it’s you who’ve given us joy our whole lives. Yes, we wish she could still be with us, but we’re so grateful we had you. We love you so much. All we ever wanted was for you to be happy.”