Jonathon went to say something to Cord, when Maebh called, “Cord! I need you to help me with something!”
I watched as Cord looked at me, smiled and said, “Welcome home!”
“Thanks, and congratulations on the wedding.”
He grinned from ear to ear. “Thanks!”
“Cord?” Maebh called again, making my brother run off to see what his wife needed.
Jonathon scoffed and mumbled, “And he says I’m pussy-whipped.”
My mother stood at the end of the aisle where Preacher Scott was standing. “Everyone! Come on and get in your seats! It’s time! It’s time!”
Maebh walked up to me, her eyes filled with tears.
“She was totally taken by surprise. Well done.”
I kissed my sister-in-law on the cheek. “Thank you for helping Mom do this, and congratulations on the wedding. Y’all didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but it all actually turned out brilliant. Now come on, your future bride is waiting, and you have a baby who is on a schedule.”
Following Maebh down the aisle, I made my way to the end and shook Preacher Scott’s hand.
“Let’s try this once more, shall we?” he said with a smile and a wink.
This time, I stood up there alone. Everyone else was sitting in chairs that were covered in soft pink. It was the same color Scarlett had picked out for the original wedding. The lights from the trees gave off the perfect amount of light as the sun rose higher in the sky behind us.
The same violinist from our first wedding was here, too. I wasn’t sure what my mother had to do to get her to come back to Oak Springs from Dallas, but I was glad she managed it.
The music started, and Scarlett made her way down the aisle. She was a vision in white. She hardly had any make-up on and was in a simple white sundress with the diamond earrings that had belonged to my grandmother.
Her eyes were focused on mine, until Chloe stepped in front of her with a completely tricked out Patches. The damn goat was covered in flowers. Scarlett’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as chuckles came from nearly everyone.
“Patches?” Scarlett gasped, quickly looking at me.
“Doesn’t he look beautiful, Aunt Scarlett?” Chloe asked, totally channeling that inner Parker woman guilt she already had down.
Scarlett’s shocked gaze went from Chloe to me. I shrugged and started laughing. Soon Scarlett was laughing.
“Chloe, he looks amazing,” Scarlett replied.
Chloe prompted Patches to start down the aisle, and I swore that damn goat looked like he was smiling. At one point, he seemed to stop and pose for the photographer. Scarlett followed Chloe and Patches, and I couldn’t help but notice she kept a good amount of distance between her and the goat.
I didn’t want to think about the last time she’d walked down the aisle toward me. Or the six weeks we’d spent away from the ranch, not once leaving our rented condo. I didn’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t been for our families. It was either my folks or Scarlett’s who would came and stay with us, or it was one of my brothers or sisters bringing up more clothes, and food and essentials needed at the condo.
Most days and nights we were at the hospital, but every single time we went to the condo, fresh food or premade meals were waiting. Clean clothes to replace the ones we stripped off on our way to take a ten-minute shower. These people were a silent force behind the scenes, helping us more than they would ever know. I knew it was hard for them to take turns getting to see Aurora, and it was even harder for them to leave us behind when they returned to their normal lives, but I also knew they and everyone in Oak Springs were praying for our little girl.
Scarlett stopped in front of me and blew out a breath. “They say three times is a charm.”
I laughed. “Well, let’s not find out, this is only our second attempt. By the way, you take my breath away you’re so beautiful.”
Her eyes moved over my face before they landed on my lips and she bit down into hers. “And you are as handsome as ever.”
“I have a bit of Liberty slobber on my cheek in case you were wondering.”
Scarlett giggled. Pastor Scott cleared his throat and she turned to face him.
As Pastor Scott talked, I couldn’t help but notice Patches moving closer and closer to Scarlett.
Leaning over, I whispered, “He’s eyeing your bouquet.”
Scarlett frowned and glanced between me and Pastor Scott, which made him pause.
“Not you, Pastor. The goat.”
“The goat?”
I nodded.
“Shall I go on?” he asked, peeking over to Patches who was now playing innocent. I leaned back and looked at him.
“I’m watching you!” I whispered. Patches replied with a loud scream.
Scarlett started to laugh until Pastor Scott shot her a firm look.