It’d be a miracle if I survived the rest of the wedding without any more fistfights, banishments from the party, or unexpected pregnancies.
The bridal procession crossed out of the church and into the courtyard outside. The guests lined up to congratulate the new bride and groom.
No one was throwing rice. Not good. I hiked up my dress so I could run inside for the bag, but Rick stopped me.
“Don’t bother,” he said. “The caterers accidentally cooked it.”
Well, the party was off to a good start. At least we’d have another side for the taco bar.
Lindsey didn’t seem to mind the riceless well-wishing. She leapt into Bryce’s arms and gave him a kiss. The crowd cheered, and the bridal party hooted.
I applauded, though my hands stilled as I caught Nate’s gaze. He broke away from the groomsmen and stalked towards me.
Now or never.
I had no idea if I was ready to confront him.
Fortunately, my mother bombarded me. It might have been the first time I was relieved to see her.
She snaked her hand around my wrist and tugged me off the stairs to the church. Her dress didn’t fit her, and the hoochie-momma red mortified Lindsey, but at least we’d talked her out of singing Natural Woman during the ceremony.
She’d sing it during the reception instead.
Mom dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
“You were good to your sister today.” She stroked my cheek. “I’m proud of you.”
My heart swelled. I loved hearing that from Mom so much that I let it slide that I could only do right by her if I was doing right by Lindsey.
“Thanks, Mom.”
She tucked my hair behind my ear. Brushed a wrinkle from my dress.
Frowned at how the shoes fit my feet.
I cleared my throat to return her attention to me. She smiled.
“I wish you hadn’t told me I was going to be a grandma in such a fitful way today.”
I braced for it.
“But…I know you’ll be a better mother than I was.”
My eyes widened. I nearly choked. It was as close to an apology and compliment as I could get, even if she backhanded it to me. She expected sympathy, for me to assure her she was an excellent mother. That was fine. It was the best I had gotten out of Mom in forever.
“You’re not mad at me?” I asked.
“You can’t be mad about a baby.”
“That’s what Dad said.”
“Well…” She searched over the courtyard, watching as he gave Lindsey a big hug. “He’s pretty wise about some things. Certainly not everything, but you should listen to your daddy about that. Nothing made us happier than raising you girls.”
“Really?”
“If I had paid half as much attention to him as I did when I chased you rugrats around…” Mom shook her head. “Anyway. You keep that little bundle close to your heart. Sometimes it’s hard to show how much you really care. But you’re a special girl, Mandy. Your baby will always know.”
Mom kissed my cheek before screeching to meet her cousin. I’d never make it through this reception without breaking down.
I expected his hand on my arm, but I wasn’t ready to deal with him in the middle of the festivities, surrounded by friends, family, and everyone already gossiping about the expecting Prescott girl.
“Nate, later,” I said. “Please.”
His voice was low, a comforting grumble. “Not later. Right now. We have to talk.”
“Not here.”
“I won’t wait any longer.” He pressed close behind me. “Come on. We’ll find some place quiet…”
His hand grasped mine. My stomach churned.
Oh God, I could not throw up in the middle of the wedding.
Fortunately, Lindsey squealed.
“Pictures!” My sister clapped her hands, summoning her bridesmaids to a tight circle of drunken, bouncing fun. “Mandy, come here!”
Oh, no way was I jumping into that fray. The strapless dress already struggled to contain my chest. One good jiggle and I’d cause an even bigger scandal than the rumor of my secret pregnancy.
The other bridesmaids pulled me from Nate. Lindsey hugged me, squeezing until I thought she’d pop the baby out. She ordered everyone away and demanded the first picture be with me.
I knew my sister. The next hour of our lives would become a hellish blitz of flashes, poses, and duck-faces. As per her instructions, we became a team of string-less marionettes for her wedding pleasure.
She shoved me into Rick’s arms and ordered me to smile with a bouquet of billowing white flowers. He didn’t need pictures, he needed pain-killers. Nate had handed him a baggie of ice, but it hadn’t stemmed the swelling yet.
Lindsey hummed. “Rick, turn to your right. Pose with your good side.”