Page 66

“Time to put your dress on. You haven’t been feasting on big ole chocolate bars every day, have you?”

Cassie chuckled. “No.”

“Okay, so the dress should fit you just right.”

Taylor took the dress off the hanger in her bedroom and handed it to Cassie. “Need some help with this?”

Cassie shook her head. ‘I’ve got it.”

Taylor stepped away for a few minutes to put on her own maid of honor dress. When she returned to Cassie, she found her wearing the flower girl dress and looking like a princess. She didn’t make mention of that though. She had to tiptoe around her compliments, so Cassie wouldn’t feel self-conscious.

Before she could say anything at all, Cassie turned to her. “You look pretty, Taylor.”

“Oh, sweetheart, so do you, but wait a minute, we did forget something.”

Taylor opened the jewelry box sitting on the counter and found a stunning ruby and diamond necklace there. She handled it with care and walked over to Cassie. “Here, Cass. Let’s put this on you.”

Cassie began to smile, a little bit nervously, and after Taylor latched the clasp, they both stared at the necklace through the mirror. “Cassie, this is very special. I love it on you.”

“Me too.” She fingered the piece carefully. “Daddy said my mommy would think I’m a big enough girl to wear this.”

“Oh, Cass, I think so too.” She placed her hands on Cassie’s shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. She whispered in her ear, “Super flower girl powers.”

Cassie grinned and nodded.

Then Taylor retrieved her mother’s necklace and fastened it around her neck. “There, now we’re both ready for the wedding. Shall we go check on Julie? She might need our help.”

Cassie took Taylor’s hand and they walked downstairs to see how the bride-to-be was faring.

*

At the church,Taylor kissed her uncle Zachary and turned to give Julie a gentle hug before the procession began. “Be happy, Jules,” she whispered. “I’m so excited for you.”

“I’m excited too,” Julie bubbled. Was there ever a more thrilled bride?

Then Taylor took her place.

When the music began to play, Lindsey started down the aisle and, after several beats, Nicole made her walk too, each bridesmaid taking measured steps. Taylor came next and she sighed. This was it. Julie was getting married and the time had come to make that maid of honor trip down the aisle. She did so as gracefully as she could, smiling and glancing at the guests in attendance. Miguel, his brothers and father were waiting patiently in the front. As Taylor reached the altar she stared into her father’s light green eyes. Looking very reserved up there, staunch and ready to marry his niece, her father gave her a playful wink. Taylor grinned and then turned toward Cassie, who was ready to make her walk. She took her job as flower girl very seriously. When their eyes met, Taylor fingered her heart necklace and Cassie reached up to do the same. It was a special moment between the two of them, like they had a secret no one else knew about. Which indeed, was true. Then Cassie started down the aisle, her head held high, her steps careful as she tossed multicolored flower petals onto the white aisleway.

That-a-girl, Cassie.

Taylor took her eyes off Cassie just long enough to find Coop seated in the second row. Dressed in a black tailored suit, his shaggy dark hair groomed and making a slight flip at the neck, he looked devastatingly handsome. Her breath caught in her throat, but it wasn’t his appearance that stole her breath, it was the deep, dark look of pride in his eyes, watching Cassie make her way down the aisle. The unabashed love he had for his daughter was evident on his face. Taylor found that father/daughter bond incredibly appealing. And for a moment, she ached to be included in that bond. But she refocused on the ceremony because once Cassie made it up the aisle and took her place with the bridesmaids, it was Julie’s turn.

The first bars of the wedding march rang out and announced the appearance of the bride. Everyone rose from their seats and turned to face the back of the church. Julie was magnificent in ivory and lace and her mother’s pearls. Oohs and ahhs were breathed out as she began her walk down the aisle. Happy tears formed in Julie’s eyes, and that was all Taylor had to see. She wept silently, joyously, and took a quick second to brush her tears away with her index finger. Her heart was full, seeing Julie so happy. Miguel joined her at the altar, shaking hands with her uncle Zachary and then clasping Julie’s hands in his.

Taylor’s dad spoke eloquently about love and marriage, and Taylor let his words sink in. She’d been focused on her career and hadn’t allowed anything to interfere, like a love life, but now as the ceremony was taking place, she realized what she wanted. What meant most to her.

And if her father’s speech wasn’t enough, the vows Miguel and Julie spoke to each other completed the ceremony and two had become one right before her eyes.

*

The reception washeld at The Arbors of Draeger Ranch, an event venue in the midst of peach orchards, lending a breathtaking natural backdrop. Tables and chairs were set up, along with fine white linens and stunning hydrangea arrangements were placed as centerpieces. Caterers were busy making dinner for seventy-five guests and a DJ was supplying predinner music on an outdoor dance floor.

“Dad, the ceremony was beautiful. You put your words together with such grace and humility.”

“Thank you, Taylor. I wanted this one to be very special.”

“It was.”