Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Joan wipes away a stray tear and pulls her niece into a hug. “I love you, sweet girl.”
“And I love you. Now, go. Pick out a beautiful dress that’ll knock Uncle Henry on his ass.”
They walk away to return to the dresses, chatting a mile a minute about their options for styles and color.
“I’m so glad you came home for Thanksgiving,” Shayne states, standing in front of me.
“Me too,” I tell her, taking her hand in mine.
“Chad’s still gonna try to call later, right?”
I nod. “That’s the plan,” I reply. “I know everyone is looking forward to talking to him.”
It’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and even though we would have liked to have connected with him this past Thursday, it didn’t work out with his schedule. But I received a text message early this morning, letting me know he has time this evening for a chat. He’s using the comms tent again, so he knows he has a good connection and has enough time for a quick visit with the family.
“You must be looking forward to January.”
My heart skips a beat. “I am,” I reply instantly. Chad informed me last week they’re looking to head home in early to mid-January. The exact date still isn’t set, but the fact they’ll be home closer to the five-month mark instead of the six makes me insanely happy.
And nervous.
“Have you told him?”
Her question catches me off guard. “Told him what?”
“That you love him, silly.”
I open my mouth but close it just as quickly. Shayne is the only person I’ve told that our rushed wedding wasn’t entirely for love. Yes, there’s love there, but not the kind you plan a quickie wedding for. Our union was based on Chad’s deployment to give him peace of mind and to help me settle into my first real job as a kindergarten teacher. Not exactly heartfelt reasons to tie the knot.
“I, uh…”
“That’s a no.”
“I’ve told him I love him, but I’m sure he just thinks it’s because we’re friends. Same with him saying it.”
“He doesn’t,” she assures me confidently. “He tells you because he means it.”
“I don’t know…”
“I do. That man is head over heels in love with you, Faith. Always has been, even if you two decided to stick with friendship because of his military career.”
“It’s so complicated, Shayne,” I whisper, dropping down into the chair behind me.
“Love always is, Faith, but no matter what journey it takes you on, the end result is always worth it. Some rides are short and reckless. Those are lessons we learn, while other loves stick their landing and stay. Like Ford. He was one determined SOB,” she says with a chuckle. “And I’m so glad he fought for us, because I’ve never been happier than I am to walk through this life with your brother at my side.”
I reach out and take her hands. “He’s the lucky one.”
“And so is Chad. He knows it too. I know things happened fast for you two, but don’t discount the fact it’s still very real. And very right. Every love is different, Faith. Just because it didn’t happen like it did for someone else doesn’t make it any less true.”
My throat bobs as I try to swallow over the lump. All I can do is nod.
“I think you should tell him when he gets home. Tell him you love him love him and want to make a million babies.”
And just like that, Shayne breaks the tension with a single comment. “I’m not sure about a million. I’m not giving birth to a litter in a box under the stairs.”
She smiles. “Wouldn’t that be something?”
“No, that sounds terrible,” I reply, laughing. “I need a hospital room with drugs. All the drugs, Shayne.”
She giggles even more. “Me too.”
“All right, I have several different lengths for you to try, Shayne,” the saleswoman says, rejoining us in the back room.
I watch as they go through the process of trying each length with her dress. Since the back is open and there isn’t a train to her dress, Shayne ultimately settles for a cathedral length, which extends out several feet onto the floor. It’s also thinner and doesn’t cover the detail of the dress as much as the thicker, waist-length veil did.
“That’s the one,” I tell her confidently. “You look absolutely stunning.”
“Thanks,” she says, giving herself one last look in the mirror. “March is going to be here before we know it.”
“It is, but we’ll be ready. I might be living a plane ride away, but I’m just a phone call away. I’ll help anyway I can,” I reassure her.
She nods and heads for the dressing room to change out of her dress. “Thanks, Faith, for everything.”
“You’re not just my brother’s future wife. You’re my sister too.”
Tears fill her eyes as she gives me a grateful smile. “Give me five minutes to change, and then we’re going to pick you out the perfect maid of honor dress.”