“I think Rachel would be first in line, but she already has two dresses and can’t pick between them. I have my eye on a dress online, but I’m waiting for the insane pricetodrop.”
When Kate couldn’t hold back a choked sob, Madison wrapped her arms around her. “You deserve this dress. A woman who could tame Logan deserves everything he gives her. Trust me, we thought that heartbreaker would neversettledown.”
“Really?” Kate half-laughed, half-sniffed.
“Really. Now, close your eyes so I can blot the mascara. We don’t want you looking like araccoon.”
Mack walked in. “Are you ladies almost ready? We’ve got pandemonium going on over at the B&B. I haven’t been able to get Gertrude off the phone. I’m pretty sure everyone in West Yellowstone already thinks you’remarried.”
“We’re almost done,” Madison said while waving ahand. “Shoo.”
“I love you, honey bear,” Mack said before giving her aquickkiss.
“I love you too,” Madisonreplied.
“I was wondering,” Mack began. “If you’re okay with it, I was hoping that maybe I could walk you down the aisle. You know, sinceyourdad…”
“Oh, great. You made her cry again,”Madisonsaid.
“I can’t help it,” Kateblubbered.
“You sure you’re not pregnant?” Madisonasked.
“I’m pretty sure,” shelaughed.
“Well then, let me put your lips on and we’ll get you to the wedding,” Madison said. “Isn’t this fun Mack? We should have a shotgunweddingtoo.”
“We already sent out save-the-datecards.”
“I know, but February 1 is sofaraway.”
“It’s less than six weeks away,” Mack said,exasperated.
“You’re right. I just want to get married before I turn into arolypoly.”
“We will,”Macksaid.
After holding a tissue to Kate’s mouth to blot her lipstick, Madison held up a tube of shimmering red gloss. “This color okay? I wanted you to look like a Christmasbride.”
“Can I check it in the mirror?” Kateasked.
“Ofcourse.”
Kate carefully walked across the floor in a slightly too-big pair of Madison’s heels. Although they’d stuffed tissue in the toes, they still weren’t quite fitting. Hopefully she wouldn’t trip and fall on her butt when she was walking down the aisle. Wait, would there be an aisle towalkdown?
The second she spotted herself in the mirror, she gasped. “Oh, wow. I really do look like a Christmasbride.”
“I think I did okay,”Madisonsaid.
“I can’t believe my hair. It’samazing.”
“You’re going to be my sister now, and as your sister, it’s my responsibility to make you look amazing on your wedding day,” Madison said. “Crap! Look up and blink a lot or your mascara’s going to runagain.”
Kate blinked back happy tears. As an only child, she’d always wondered what it would be like to have a sister. She didn’t have to wonderanymore.
* * *
Logan struggledwith the bowtie Hank loaned him. “Whoever invented these damn things needs tobeshot.”
