Ken smiled a sheepish smile. “Helps bring that handsome prince charming point home.”
Despite the heaviness of her heart, she chuckled. He grabbed the box of flowers out of the back of the truck and led the way into the house. As soon as she stepped under the overhang, Charles shook off the umbrella and turned back to the valet stand.
They crossed the massive foyer and went to the kitchen. She could smell coffee and her mouth watered at the thought of having a cup. Shaking her head, she opened the box Ken set on the wooden table. She did a quick inventory as the door on the far side of the room opened, and one of Ken’s brothers came in.
“Hey guys,” he said. “Mom’s down in the pool house.”
“Hi, Brad.” Ken gestured at the box. “Guess we’ll leave this here for now.”
“Guess so.” Brad looked at Daisy. “It’s really good to see you, Daisy. How are you?”
Even as she smiled, it felt overly bright. “I’m great, Brad. It’s really good to see you, too.”
“Where’s the groom?” Ken asked.
“Upstairs.” Brad rooted through the box and removed a white rose boutonniere, which he fastened to his lapel. “Did Ken tell you what Jon and Alex are doing?”
Daisy focused on the conversation. “Yeah, um, they’re getting baptized before the ceremony, right?”
“They are. Never thought I would ever see Jon so settled. It’s nice.” He extended a boutonniere to Ken, who frowned. “You gotta do it, bro. I don’t make the rules.”
Ken took the flower and stared at it. Daisy stepped forward. “Let me help.”
By the time she finished pinning the flower to his lapel, she felt more like herself.
Valerie strolled into the kitchen with a barely noticeable limp. She wore a royal blue dress that flowed around her. A bright pink belt secured the waist. “Well, hi there, Daisy!” she said. “How are you?”
Before she could answer, Alex entered the room. She wore a pair of shorts and a white T-shirt. Daisy smiled at her and said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bride less ready so close to the ceremony.” She chuckled. “I guess makeup and hair are moot when you’re going to be dunked under the water.”
Alex put a hand up to her hair, which she had pulled back in a ponytail. “It’s crazy how fast I’m going to have to get ready.”
“Don’t worry about making us wait,” Ken said. “We will have Calla food. You’ll have a captive audience.”
“True.” She gestured at the box. “Can I see the flowers?”
Camila had designed a simple but stunning bouquet of white roses with shoots of green leaves coming out, making the bouquet look like it had movement of its own. “This is perfect.” She touched the bundle of baby’s breath. “I’m going to do something with this in my hair. I’m going to do a braided bun, and I think I’m gonna put these throughout the braid.”
Valerie and Daisy nodded. Valerie said, “That will be simple but lovely.”
Acouple of hours later, Jon and Alex got baptized while their friends and family watched. Their rabbi explained the history of baptism in the Jewish culture. His words filled Daisy with such wonder at how God provided such a visual representation of putting off the old, dying to oneself to become new creatures in Christ again. Beside the pool, Daisy stood in the circle of Ken’s arms and thought about the perfection of starting married life together as new creatures in Christ.
As soon as Alex went into the pool house, she looked up at Ken. “That was beautiful. It was worth getting dressed up and witnessing. I wish all baptisms were such lavish affairs.”
Ken smiled. “Just as important as the wedding, don’t you think?”
“I’m glad you understood what I was saying. I didn’t think I’d worded it well.”
He gave her a soft kiss. “I understood.”
Valerie met her eyes, and she slipped away from him. “Ready to go help Alex? She’s probably out of the shower by now.”
“Yep.” She smiled up at Ken. “I’ll be out later.”
“I’m going to go find one of those platters of hors d’oeuvres that the waiters are carrying around.”
About thirty minutes later, Daisy pinned baby’s breath throughout Alex’s blonde braid. The simple braided bun fit Alex’s style perfectly and looked great with her dress. She couldn’t believe how quickly Alex had showered, dried her hair, and put on her makeup.
“Perfect?” Daisy asked, stepping back.
