“Sorry, I was in the bathroom and didn’t hearyou right away. Happy wedding day.” Pippa’s good mood was actuallyrather contagious. Although, she’d woken with a perma-smile herselfthis morning.
“Be down in ten. Okay twenty. Maybe thirty.I’m making breakfast.” Without waiting for an answer, Pippa danceddown the hall and down the stairs.
At least she wasn’t frantic and self-pityinganymore. Maybe a little manic, however. In twenty-four hours, shemight have her friend back again. Hopefully.
Complying with the very reasonable request,Sophie had run, showered, dressed, and was downstairs within thirtyminutes. Paul and Denise, equally sleepy after the abruptawakening, were sitting in the living room sipping coffee, lookingvery much like sleep-deprived parents on Christmas morning.
Sophie poured her own coffee and, at Pippa’surging, joined them on the couch. Her phone chirped an incomingtext,Morning gorgeous. I’m going to try to catch an earlyflight, but not looking good so far.
Bleary-eyed, Denise turned to Sophie, “You’regetting updates from Asher? Why am I not getting any?”
Oh boy. Sophie had figured at least hismother would have started to notice, but she was as blind to herson, apparently, as everyone else. Denise must not have read thefull text over her shoulder, or she would have answered her ownquestion.
Paul bit his cheek to hide his smile.Apparently, he wasn’t so oblivious. Entertained by her ignorance,he patted his wife on the knee but didn’t say anything. He flasheda conspiratorial wink at Sophie.
She’d already had her defense planned. “Oneof my maid of honor duties. I’m the communication hub.”
Her phone beeped again, this time from Freya.On my way. “Case in point. Freya is on her way.” Phew. Goodtiming. Shouting to the kitchen, she made sure Pippa was cookingenough for Freya as well.
The morning actually went pretty smoothly.Pippa’s chipper, and seemingly relaxed mood, lasted throughout theday, even after they arrived at The Barn and started set up. Havingthe planning done so thoroughly, the big day ran impressivelysmoothly.
Sophie felt like she was directing traffic.Pippa’s aunts were displaying flowers and centerpieces around thevenue. Various capable looking folks were setting out tables andchairs from the rental trailer, mostly extended family that Sophiehadn’t met yet. The small outdoor tent had already been set out.Paul was setting up the less expensive arbor, rather than themassive portable gazebo Pippa had given up.
All was going well. So far, so good. Bridegetting ready. Groom present and accounted for, still hasn’t seenthe bride.
Grady wandered over to Sophie as she stood inthe center of the field and ensured everything was going smoothly.“This looks amazing. I’m grabbing Lincoln a shot of somethingstrong; I’ve never seen him so nervous.”
Chuckling, Sophie linked arms with him andwalked toward the portable bar. The bartender was setting out theevening’s available drinks for display. “Can we bother you for abottle of whiskey for the groom and some white wine for thebride?”
“Sure thing,” offered the brunette with anaffable demeanor, a metallic jingling sound as she nodded, shakingthe long string of earrings lining her ears. “I’m still setting up,so go ahead and grab what you need for glasses and such.”
Accepting the bottle, she turned to Grady.“Pippa’s doing surprisingly well. I think she got most of herwedding crazies out of the way already, thank goodness.” Sophiegrabbed a handful of glasses for the ladies as Grady grabbed somefor the guys.
“I guess now Lincoln’s making up for hisprior calmness.”
Freezing, Sophie had to confirm, “He’s nothaving second thoughts?”
Rolling his eyes lightheartedly, Grady shookhis head and refuted her brief panic. “Hell, no. He’s well andtruly hooked. I think it’s just the whole drama of the day. He’sstayed calm this whole time; he’s allowed a brief freak out.”
Looking her up and down, Grady noticed Sophiewas still in her jeans. “Shouldn’t you start getting ready?”
Sophie’s phone chirped in her back pocket.Setting the wine and glasses on the nearest table, she checked hertext.Thirty minutes out.
“Yes, I really need to go get ready. Fyi,Asher should be here in half an hour.” She shoved her phone back inher pocket and juggled the glasses until she held them allsecurely.
“Sophie?” Grady was suddenly serious, hisexpression genuine. Smiling hesitantly, Sophie didn’t know what toexpect, what he was getting at. “I’m really, really happy for youand Asher. Really.”
“Are you sure? Because you just saidreally,like three times,” she teased.
He grinned back, “Yeah, that sounded bad. Imean it though. I haven’t known you as long, but I sort of knewAsher growing up. What I’m getting at is, I sort of watched Ashergrow up from the periphery. Always a little jealous at howconfident he was, especially with women. How he followed the beatof his own drummer. Honestly, I thought he’d end up a lifelongmilitary playboy. Lately, with you, he’s seems so much more settledthan he’s ever been.”
Sophie nearly dropped the load of glasses inshock. She hadn’t realized Grady had even known Asher, they were sodistant now. It wasn’t a big town, and they were pretty close inage; of course they’d known each other. “Thanks. Really. I’mhappy.”
Starting to relax, Sophie was feeling a senseof peace that everything was going to be okay. Wedding set to go.Bride relaxing; bridezilla exorcised. Groom appropriately nervous.Groomsmen happy and almost all present.
Knocking with her foot on the bridal readyroom door, Sophie didn’t dare risk the glasses she’d commandeered,juggling the breakable load as she was. Freya appeared at the doora second later, almost completely ready. “I thought you were thephotographer. She should be here any second.”
Setting her load on the table, she pulled outthe cork the bartender had loosely recorked for her. “So sorry todisappoint you,” she rolled her eyes and started to pour the wine.“The photographer is here and is taking some scenic shotsfirst.”
