“There are a lot of obstacles to get over before it can be love, Ruston. But it could happen if you’re up for the challenge.” She turned and walked out of the church.
When he heard the door slam behind her, he looked back at the picture in his hand. Finding her easily this time, he stared at her hazel eyes, so happy and without the constant pain he saw in them now. He wished he could have met that young, carefree girl who loved to sing. But maybe it was fate that he had met her at a house party where he was able to hold her in his arms as she sang the songs they danced to.
What if he wasn’t able to get over the obstacles of her past? What if it was more than he could overcome?
CHAPTER6
Fanningherself with the wedding program, Hazel waited for the hottest wedding ever to start so it could get done and she could get out of this stuffy church. How it could be raining so hard outside and still be a steam bath in the church? If she didn’t know better, she would think Satan himself was invited to the wedding.
The church was full, and she hadn’t gotten there in time to get a seat with anyone from the book club. Mandy, Tess, and her boyfriend Math were close to the front. Ruth and her boyfriend Anderson were sitting in the back on the other side of the aisle from her.
John Henry wiggled on her lap, and she handed the program to him so he could play with it. Her fan was a crumpled mess in moments. Originally, she had planned on leaving him at home with her grandma, but both of her grandparents looked tired that day, so she decided to just take the little guy.
Hugging him to her, she could feel the heat of his little body against hers, even in the blistering church. She was glad she had put on a white jean skirt and a thin pale pink blouse, but she wished she could have worn less. But anything less wouldn’t be appropriate for public.
Picking up her phone, she hit a button to see the time. Five minutes late. Maybe Mia wasn’t doing a good job as Natalie’s personal attendant. Hazel knew it took more than one woman to keep Natalie on track. An army would be challenged. Her phone was still in her hand when it buzzed.
Mia: Basement, now!!!
Sliding out of the pew carrying John Henry, she saw that Mandy and Tess were walking her way. When they made it out of the sanctuary, Ruth had joined them. All four women and one little boy walked into the basement, which was twenty degrees colder than upstairs. Sweet cold air.
Tess pushed her way past the three bridesmaids sitting at tables waiting for the wedding to start. They’ll be happy they got a few more moments in the cool basement air, Hazel decided.
When all three were in the room with Mia, she slammed the door closed. “Natalie is gone.”
“Gone where?” Mandy asked.
“Let’s just say gone and done with this situation,” Mia replied.
“She bolted?” Hazel asked in surprise. For months the woman had been looking forward to nothing but this moment. And now she had left before it started?
“Yes. I sent her off in my car. I need a ride from someone.” Mia was still sitting on the table, calm as can be. As if a church full of people wasn’t above them waiting for the bride—a now missing bride.
“How did she get out past the bridesmaids?” Ruth asked.
“Out the window.” Mia pointed at a tiny window in the back of the room.
Tess shook her head as she analyzed the window.
“Now what?” Ruth asked.
“We have to wait about twenty minutes. I told her I would give her time. Then we tell her dad and Ruston.” Mia had been planning this, apparently.
All four stood silently for a few minutes, looking out the window at the rain pounding the ground near the window.
“Why are there no chairs in this room?” Ruth demanded, and all four of them erupted into fits of laughter. Even John Henry joined in with belly laughs of his own.
The laughter stopped abruptly when there came a knock on the door. Everyone looked at the door and held their breaths. A knock came again. “Natalie, are you ready? I want to talk to you.” It was her dad.
Mandy jumped and opened the door a crack, then pulled the middle-aged man into the room with the five women, slamming the door shut again behind him.
“Where’s Natalie?” The man looked around the room as if his kid could hide her white dress and tall frame among these women.
“She left,” Mia answered simply.
“When?” he asked.
“About ten minutes ago. I promised to give her twenty,” Mia shyly told the older man.