Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“What did you guys do?” I whirled on Holden as he pulled into an accessible spot near the front doors.
“Us?” Holden batted his eyes at me, merriment giving his irises a golden glow. “We didn’t do anything. I’m just the driver.”
“It’s more like, what did you both inspire everyone else to do.” Cal handed me the dog as we all exited the car. I was more than a little dazed as I stowed Buttercup under one arm.
“The whole town’s throwing you a wedding, Sam.” Holden gave a hearty laugh. “You better enjoy it.”
“Oh, I will.” My voice sounded trapped in a tin can. My head felt all swimmy, and I held Buttercup closer as I took several shallow breaths. “The whole town?”
“Yup. The flower shop found some spare arrangements.” Holden pointed at a gorgeous assortment of red, orange, and yellow blooms flanking the church’s double front doors. “A friend of Knox’s is doing photography. The bakery over on Third had an extra sheet cake. Funny that. You’ll see it after though. Rog over at the pub threw in some large appetizer platters so no one will go hungry. George even made an executive decision to shut the shop for an hour. Reception’s there. You can thank us later.”
“George agreed to this plan?” I wasn’t sure when he’d developed those kinds of leadership skills. “You sure you didn’t involve Worth?”
“And ruin the surprise? I might have made a strong suggestion to George.” Cal gave a wide grin that lit up his chiseled, hardened warrior face. “And I twisted Doc Washington’s arm, got her to agree to sing with the choir, so there’s the ceremony music sorted.”
“Whitney sings?” My head spun as my feet stayed rooted to the sidewalk in front of the doors. “And where’s Worth?”
“Pipe down, Cinderfella.” Chuckling, Holden attempted to steer me closer to the doors. “Monroe got your prince to the chapel on time. He’s waiting up front for your grand entrance.”
“My grand entrance?”
“Someone has to walk down the aisle,” Cal said dryly. “Looks like you and Buttercup are up. And oh, look, here’s your escort now.”
With that, my mother swept out of the church, looking absolutely regal in a green sapphire gown that made the red streaks in her gray hair glow. The skirt was long and sweeping, and the beaded top part was far more suited for a prom than an elopement.
“No backyard wedding for you,” Mom signed, hands flying as her expression was a mix of scolding and affection.
“You look lovely,” I both spoke and signed back. “But it’s a Friday afternoon. Where did all these people come from?”
She gave a very Holden-esque shrug before signing, “Vacation day. Friday afternoon in August in Oregon. No one working.”
“True.” I took yet another breath as I followed her into the church. The organ was already playing, and through the rotunda, I could see rows of well-dressed people filling the pews. “Wow, I guess we’re really doing this.”
“Yes, you’re getting married.” Mom was back to scolding before she straightened my tie. Guess I’d bungled that after all. Then she offered me her arm as the organ music shifted to a familiar refrain, one I’d hummed as a kid a billion times.
Opting not to stop and pinch myself, I set Buttercup down so she could walk next to us on her leash. If I was dreaming, at least it was a pleasant one. I let Mom lead us into the sanctuary and glided down the aisle, Buttercup proudly trotting in front of us. As everyone stood, I spotted our whole barista crew in a colorful assortment of party clothes. And so many friends and neighbors, every face familiar.
Maybe Worth was right. I did mean something special to this town.
Maybe we both did.
Wait. Where was Worth?
I shifted my gaze from the pews to the front of the sanctuary, where more flowers adorned the rails and altar.
And there was Worth.
Waiting.
My father stood in his customary spot in front, but next to him was Worth, looking heartbreakingly handsome in a navy suit that made his hair that much blonder and eyes bluer. The suit fabric also matched my tie, a blue number I’d always favored and had grabbed mainly for luck. No way had Monroe found a suit that perfect “laying around.” And his silver tie matched my gray suit in a way that couldn’t be an accident.
Perfect. He was perfect. A dream come true. Twisting Buttercup’s leash, I let it dig into my palm, waiting for the discomfort to wake me up. But it didn’t. I wasn’t dreaming. This was real life.
I was really about to marry Worth Stapleton.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Worth
Sam floated toward me on his mother’s arm. Buttercup was prancing ahead of them, but I scarcely registered another soul other than Sam.
Sam.
Sam, with his dazed expression and shaggy auburn hair and gray suit with a blue tie. Somehow, Monroe and Knox must have known the colors he’d choose because we matched. Or maybe that was us, not the suits.