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“So we’re fine after all of this?” I asked, needing to be sure no lingering doubts remained.

“Sweetness, we’re more than fine. We’re gettingmarried, husband andwife,and that’s forever,” he assured me, undressing me. Splayed out on his bed, he worked himself between my legs, worshipping me with his tongue and reminding me who I was. All his.

50

THE BIG DAY

CHELSEA

The doorfrom our bridal suite into the Grand Ballroom opened and everyone gasped, including me. And then we broke out into screams of joy. Thankfully, it was the middle of the afternoon and guests wouldn’t arrive until evening.

With all our hair and makeup done, Maisy, Sophie, and I, my bridesmaids, plus my mother, were dressed in our matching loungewear of leggings and buttoned shirts. We wandered out into the ballroom, which had been magically transformed into a Christmas wonderland.

Red roses adorned beautiful gold candelabras. Crisp white cloths draped over the round tables, and red bows had been tied around the backs of the gold chairs. Crystal chandeliers gleamed, and the dance floor was lit up with our monogrammed initials in the middle of it.

“There’s the pie table. It’s more beautiful than I ever imagined. Thanks, Mom.” I hugged my mother, and knowingshe and Rex planned that perfectly together made it more special.

“Look how gorgeous the favors turned out.” Sadie held up a gold-lined box. We’d already sampled the champagne white chocolate truffles while getting ready.

“Love them. Thanks so much for making those.” We hugged, and I glanced at a table where I expected the cake to be, but it wasn’t there.

“Agnes,” I called out to her nearby, where she was setting the gold foil menu cards on each plate. “Wasn’t the cake supposed to be here by now?”

She flitted over to me with a chipper voice. “Don’t you worry. Cake is on the way. You let me deal with all the little details today. Now go get dressed. Your car will be here soon to take you to the wedding.”

I hoped Vivian was okay. She was supposed to drive down from Holly Creek today in her van, bringing all the cake. Tons of cake.

“Is it everything you ever dreamed of?” Maisy asked as I took one last look around.

“Actually, the entire thing has been like a dream. I just want to remember it all because I know the night will go by so fast.”

Back in the bridal suite, I had just stepped into my gown and Sophie zipped me up when Miriam arrived.

“Where’s my beloved Chelsea? Oh, you are an angel. Look at you. Beautiful darling.” She handed me an envelope. “I have a gift for you from Rex. I’m headed to the church now.”

“Oh good. Would you give him my gift for me?” I handed her a box gift wrapped in shiny silver paper with a metallic ribbon accent.

“Of course, and I’ll see you there, sweetheart. It won’t be long now until you’re my daughter. And I’ve always wanted one of those.” We air kissed. “And Flora, you look gorgeous in your gown.”

“Why thank you, and to you as well,” Mom complimented back. While Miriam looked so couture in a light gray gown, with lace and beadwork over satin, my mother looked fabulous in a darker gray gown with a satin, long-sleeve, wrapped top and a slim, lace skirt to her ankles.

They took more photos with phone flashes going off all over the suite, and finally, after Miriam left, the bridesmaids squealed, waiting for me to open Rex’s gift to see what it was.

I read the card and couldn’t believe it, even after studying the document inside. “Oh, my—It’s a deed to a few acres near to my mother’s place in Holly Creek. He wrote that we’re going to build a second home together there, so we can escape the city to my small home town whenever we want to. I’m going to cry.”

My tears had held off all day, but this did it. Half a dozen hands held out tissues and the makeup artist stood by at the ready, to touch me up as soon as the tears stopped.

“He gave me this, and all I gave him was a boudoir photo of me taken by Courtney,” I lamented. “Had I known he was going to splurge on acres of land…”

“Are you kidding? Men are sexual creatures. Knowinghow hot your boudoir photos turned out, trust me, Rex will be a lucky man with your present,” Courtney assured me, and she looked dazzling in the red bridesmaid gown. All my girls did.

“He didn’t need to spend money on this property. I can’t believe he did that,” I cried more.

“But he knows your heart, Chelsea, and Holly Creek is a huge part of that.” Mom stood beside me, linking a hand with mine. “I think it’s the best gift ever because it means you’ll be back to see me often, which will come in handy when you have children.”

“Let’s get through this day first. Don’t have me pregnant with child just yet,” I joked, with happy tears, and laughter filled the room.

I looked at the time as a knock came at the door. In a few minutes, Rex and I would reunite at the end of the aisle, and I couldn’t wait.