She nods toward the door. “Can we go inside?”
“I was trying to be funny.” When will I learn to keep my trap shut in emotionally charged conversations?
After stepping inside, she stops and spins around, leaving me barely enough room to close the door behind me. “He knows, Parker. Everything. I didn’t tell him. He just figured it out. So he doesn’t think... you know. Also, it turns out Dad never liked John.” She rests a hand on my chest. “He wonders if the money was why John proposed. But I never told John about my trust fund or that Dad had money.”
When her chin quivers, I pull her to my chest. “Hey. None of that matters now.”
She’s quiet for a full minute before finally shattering the painful silence. “You’re right, Dumplin’. And, honestly, I think I’ll be much happier with you even though this is—you know—just a friend thing.”
Just a friend thing. Otherwise known as a gigantic empty Lego box.
“All I want is for you to be happy, Bluebonnet.” It’s all I’ve ever wanted. But I can’t make myself say those words out loud. “And I’m sure I can do better than John in that department.” I make sure she can hear the humor in my voice. “Way better.”
She gives a soft laugh, then tilts her face toward me. “You smell like a barn.”
“Then I should probably shower. Make yourself at home. I won’t be long.” I press another kiss to her forehead before heading into my room.
Taking clothes with me into the bathroom seems important right now. One thing’s for sure, I will not be singing in the shower like I normally do. Definitely not. But this will be good practice for when showering with her in the cabin is an everyday occurrence.
Chapter 15
Bluebonnet
When Paisley walks into the cabin, I yelp and pause my pacing. “Is it time?”
“A few more minutes. Calm down. Parker said everything is good to go. And he said something about his horse, but I’m not sure how it relates to the wedding.”
I glance down at my dress. “I can’t get on a horse in this thing. There’s no way. You need to tell him.”
Paisley blinks in confusion.
I shove her toward the door. “Hurry.”
“Okay. I’ll tell him.” She walks out and leaves me to fret alone.
All brides are nervous before weddings, right?
Paisley smiles as she walks inside. “He said he’d handle it. And it’s time. Your dad just pulled up in the little golf cart thing.”
“Am I doing the right thing?” I know my friend won’t lie to me.
Nodding, she pulls me into a hug. “Absolutely. Now let’s go so you won’t be late to your own wedding.”
I step out onto the porch as my dad is coming up the stairs.
He stops, and tears brim in his eyes. “Oh, Boo, you’re beautiful.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
We pile into the mule and head out to the pasture. My stomach is flopping, and my head is spinning as we bump over the roads, and I clench my jaw. I can’t deal with morning sickness today.
Paisley shoves a ginger candy into my hand. “Here. Parker said you might need this.”
I stare at the candy and know that I’m making the right decision. He’s a perfect partner, and it would be illogical to walk away from this. Friendship love can be just as good as romantic love. I hope.
After the engagement was announced, Beaus’ wife, Lilith, offered to coordinate everything for the ceremony, and I let her. So today, I have no idea what to expect. Will Dad be pulling this cart up to the end of the aisle?
“I came out here earlier. This was a good choice for a location. It looks amazing.” Paisley squeezes my hand.
