Not wanting to be distracted, I leave the phone on the seat and walk to the trunk to grab the bags.
“I’ve got it,” Maverick says, making me scream.
“You need a bell,” I gasp, holding my hand to my chest, my heart pounding from being snuck up on.
“Leigh’s waitin’ on you,” he tells me, bending over to scoop up all of the bags and trudging into his house, leaving the front door open for me.
“Well, then.”
Earl is the first to greet me when I step into their home. He’s sitting on his large rump in front of the baby swing. The huge, kind of scary cat gives me a look that, were he human, would express disapproval, his brow arched and a frown beneath his whiskers.
“Hey, Earl,” I greet, stepping up to the swing to look at little Laelynn as she sleeps peacefully. I reach out, wanting to move her blanket down a little so I can see her adorable dimpled chin, but jerk it back when Earl hisses and swats at my ankle. “What the heck,” I whisper, frowning at the cat.
“He’s a little protective of Laelynn.” Leigh giggles, scooping up her huge cat as he hisses and wiggles to get free. “Stop it, you big baby.”
“So . . . I’m just goin’ to go get changed, then,” I tell her. “No offense, I’m sure he means well, but I’m pretty sure your cat could kill me, and as much as I love your daughter, I don’t want to die.”
Leigh laughs, dropping her cat to his feet. He pads back to his spot and settles in to sit guard in front of the swing.
“Quinn’s feeding Gray and Lucy is gettin’ dressed. Luke and Tate went up to get everything finished. I think Maverick is on the way back up there. He just happened to be checkin’ in on things when you drove up.”
“I feel like there’s somethin’ I should be doin’ other than gettin’ dressed.”
“There is nothin’ you need to be frettin’ about, sister.”
My heart warms and I smile at my old friend, soon to be my sister-in-law. “It’s really happenin’?”
“You betcha ass it is! Come on. We’ve got a weddin’ to get to and a bride who isn’t ready yet.”
All thoughts of John and our bizarre run-in are forgotten while my three closest friends help me get ready to marry the man of my dreams. By the time Luke comes back to let us know everything’s ready and that the groom is waiting very impatiently, I’ve been buffed, fluffed, painted, and sprayed. He takes one look at me in my simple, floor-length lace dress and turns to walk back out the door.
I look over at Lucy, seeing her watery smile, and blink furiously to keep my tears from ruining my makeup. I glance at Leighton and Quinn, seeing them wearing the same simple coral sundresses that we all agreed on as their bridesmaids’ outfits. All three are wearing brown cowboy boots, and their hair is braided simply to rest over one shoulder. Quinn’s holding Grayson, dressed in a miniature version of what the guys are wearing—a black button-down and dark washed jeans. With Laelynn being only two weeks old, there wasn’t anything close to the girls’ outfits that fit her, but I bet Leighton tried anyway.
“Okay,” Luke says, walking back in.
“You okay?” I whisper, walking to his side and hugging him.
“Yeah.” He swallows thickly. “I’m just real damn happy for you, Carrie.”
“Caroline,” I correct with a laugh, not the least bit serious.
“I’m honored that you asked me to give you away, sweetheart.”
“Don’t make me cry,” I warn.
Luke laughs but lowers his head so the girls can’t hear him. “I knew five months ago when you sat next to Davis at Hazel’s that this would happen. You both looked like you’d been zapped. I’m always here if you need me, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the man you’ve chosen to be your husband.”
“Luke,” I murmur, my vision getting wonky with the tears filling my eyes.
“Enough of that,” he exclaims, clapping his hands and rocking on his booted feet. “You ladies ready? Because there’s a man up at the top of that hill who’s about out of patience to get his bride in his arms.”
Quinn gives me a quick hug before walking out and climbing into the front of the golf cart, next to Tate in the driver’s seat. Lucy follows, thankfully having said much of the same that her brother did the night before and sparing me the tears. She winks before settling in.
Leigh is last out the door, holding the pink bundle of her daughter in her arms. “You ready?”
“God, yes,” I answer emphatically.
Her grin is as huge as mine, I’m sure, as she walks to the cart and climbs up to sit with Lucy. Tate gives a wave before driving off slowly, careful of the precious cargo, in the direction of the Davis property. I look up at Luke and, with just him there, finally let loose some of the pent-up excitement. My hands go up in the air with the bundle of wildflowers held tight in my hand, and I shake my hips as I dance in a circle on Leighton’s front porch.