Loathsome to leave the serenity of themoment, watching the warm evening sun set an orange glow over theCascades, standing next to the man she was growing increasinglyattached to, she turned and headed for the converted barn. Shecould feel Asher’s eyes on her as she walked away and wished hecould follow. Teasing, hoping to drive him mad, she added an extraswing to her hips. His chuckle melted her insides into silkychocolatey fondue.
Back in The Barn, things weren’t looking sohot. The seating wasn’t going to be right. Where was the weddingparty going to walk in from, with the ready rooms behind the smallstage? Pippa was in full exasperated panic.
Steadying herself for her friend, Sophieconfidently strolled into the room like nothing was wrong. Likethere wasn’t a frantic, hyperventilating bride standing in themiddle of the room. Ignoring the bride and her soothing–althoughmore likely enabling–entourage, she scoped out the room. Grabbing afew folding chairs, she carted as many as she could carryoutside.
Carting them out to the field, she set onenot far from the idyllic spot where Asher still stood. Chair bychair, she set a few more as markers. As expected, a very confusedPippa walked to the wide barn doorway that opened to the field.Silence was a highly underrated method to getting someone’sundivided attention. Pippa had shared that helpful tip from herteacher’s training.
From her spot in the field, she hollered,“Paul, what’s the weather report tomorrow?”
Grinning, he caught on immediately. “Weddingceremony at five pm. Predicted to be seventy-eight degrees withscattered clouds, ten percent chance of light showers.”
Shielding her eyes from the cloud-filteredsunlight, she hollered again, “What time is it now?”
Checking his watch with dramatic motions, heensured he was heard by all, “About four-thirty.”
Walking back to the barn, she grabbed thebitch of a minister and linked arms with her. Whispering on the wayto the makeshift markers she’d set out, she ended this littlestring of gossip before it spread further. “You may wish to get toknow someone before you start spreading such nasty lies aboutthem.” Taken aback, the minister stood where she was told andscowled. Maybe a little guilt in the scowl, maybe not, but Sophieliked to think the subtle upbraiding would have an effect.
Next, she pulled Lincoln along. Not that heneeded any dragging, he winked in acknowledgement and did as he wastold. Next, she directed the parents, except for Paul just yet, tothe few folding chairs she’d set up to model the audience. Asherfollowed her back to the barn, smiling the whole way. Turning onher phone, she played the song Pippa had painstakingly selected forthe bridal party’s entrance.
Pippa watched the entire proceedings, lookinghumorously stunned. Asher and Freya linked arms and walked thelength of the field to the waiting ceremony practice scene. Winkingat her, Grady took Sophie’s arm and escorted her down theaisle.
“Nice save,” he whispered as they walked.
Grady was becoming a fast friend now that theair was clear, and she enjoyed the moment with him. Leaning intohim amicably on the walk, she wordlessly let him know they wereokay. “She has a severe case of decision fatigue. Just trying tomake her life a little easier.”
Flipping the music to the wedding march Pippahad selected, Sophie turned the volume as high as it would go soPippa would hear. Paul extended his arm and walked Pippa down themakeshift aisle. Her lost sheep look started to look a little morelike joy.
Reaching Lincoln, she found her full smile.Taking a deep breath, the bride found a little peace. “This iswhere I want to get married.”
The whole group sighed together, immenselyrelieved they were out of the woods. Close one. Poor Pippa had puttoo much energy into one day. An important day, but still just aparty.
The rest of the rehearsal part of the eveningwent smoothly. They walked through the ceremony, reception,discussed when and where photos would be, working out wedding daydetails. With the ceremony outside and weather predicted to becooperative, for Washington anyway, they really could sprawl on theproperty, so The Barn could be designated for food and dancing.
***
After a painful hour of hashing andrehashing, they finally headed to dinner. Lincoln’s parents hadrented out the big room at the finest–and only–steakhouse in town.They’d called the restaurant when things were looking bleak to havedinner pushed back a bit.
Arriving at the restaurant, Sophie wentstraight for the bar. Asher wasn’t far behind. Grabbing a glass ofwhite, she waited while he grabbed a pint.
Primed for catered gatherings, themultipurpose entertaining space was perfectly designed for arelaxing evening. There were scattered high and low tables forvisiting, a massive dining room table in the center to seat theentire party, and a few collected couches and chairs arranged intocozy sitting areas next to the gas fireplaces.
She’d worn her favorite olive-green linensundress for the occasion. It was a new and rather pleasant feelingto be shorter than her date, or not-date, when wearing her tallestheels. Not just tall, his shoulders were broader, stronger than theguys she’d dated in the past. Just existing, he exuded testosteroneand made her identify with the Asher groupies she had heardabout.
Making her way to one of the cushy sittingareas, Sophie sat and leaned back, crossing her heeled feet on theottoman. Settling in next to her, Asher did the same. For a moment,they sat in silence, finding a small corner of peace in achaotically enthused party, watching as the guests filtered in.
As the wedding party and associated familiessettled and found their own chill-spaces, Asher broke the silence,his deep voice soothing her more than the crisp wine ever could.“Tell me about your mom. Colette, right?” Asher rested his beer inhis hand at his side and watched for Sophie’s reaction, clearlyhoping he’d chosen a safe topic, because he was genuinelyinterested.
No one had asked her that in a really, reallylong time. “She was incredible. Dad was in the military and died incombat when I was in kindergarten. Tough as nails, she made sure Icould handle anything that came my way. That I was never thehelpless damsel.”
“After meeting Yvette, I figured your mommust have been something special. You turned out pretty fantasticdespite that witch.” He flashed her a heart-wrenching smile, oneside of his mouth turned up adorably, his eyes warm as honey.
“She really was. I never wanted for anything.We had plenty of money, as she had grown up well off. Didn’t blowthrough her inheritance like Yvette had. But that’s not what Imean. I never wanted for love or attention. We had a sweet littlehouse right down to the white picket fence. I was on whatever teamI wanted to join. We travelled a lot.”
Sophie was glad he’d asked. Few did, fearingshe wouldn’t want to reminisce over painful memories. It was hardfor a long time, but she still missed her mom as much today as theday she died. Speaking of her now made her feel connected.
“What was your favorite place you and shetravelled to?”
“Here, actually. We did a little tour of thePacific Northwest. Stayed at little inns around the Puget Sound,the Olympics along the coast, the Cascades.” They’d about wornthrough their hiking boots on that trip.
