They meant well. They were just trying to take care of me in their own way.
But I could take care of myself now. And when I couldn't? Well, that's what Luke was for. He had my back and I had his.
Valentina opened the door that led outside, her hands filled with wildflowers. Since they sprang up like weeds all over the farm, I hadn't bothered to buy any bouquets.
"Oh!" Molly squealed from behind me. "Are we putting those in our hair?"
"I don't see why not." Valentina shrugged and glanced at me for approval.
I smiled. "Don't look at me. I don't care what you do with your hair."
Molly snatched up a few bright pink and yellow blooms, then rushed to the mirror and tucked them into the elaborate braid circling her head. I had to admit, the colors went well with the blush-colored bridesmaid dresses.
"I got some white ones too," Valentina said.
Molly turned around, grinning at me as Valentina stepped close and adjusted my veil. Gently, she tucked the sprigs in a halo-like crown all around the tulle. When she finished, I looked in the mirror and my breath caught.
It couldn't have felt any more different from my first wedding.
Looking at myself wearing the pretty antique-lace gown and with simple wildflowers in my hair . . . I felt like myself. Like I'd finally found where I belonged.
And like I was about to enter into the best, most amazing journey of my life.
"So, explain to me again who we're walking down the aisle with?" Valentina asked.
"Molly's walking alone. And you're walking with Duke," I said for what felt like the millionth time.
Ever since the rehearsal dinner the night before, this seemed to be a point Valentina just couldn't get through her head . . . or rather, wouldn't get through her head.
"But Molly and Duke are siblings. Shouldn't they walk together?" Valentina asked. "Oh, or we could do a three-person sort of sandwich setup."
I rolled my eyes. "I don't think you'd all fit down the aisle like that. You're the maid of honor and he's the best man-you walk together. What's so scary about walking down the aisle with Duke, anyway?"
"She likes him," Molly sang, a grin spreading across her face.
"Stop it. I do not. I . . ." Valentina searched for the words, but her face was already turning red. "He just makes me uncomfortable is all."
"Hmm." I nodded. "Right. Now, put some flowers in your hair. It's almost show time."
I could hear the buzz of conversation coming from outside, and knew that the whole town was out there waiting for us, for me. A shiver of nervousness ran through me. This wasn't only our first wedding here at the Wilder Farm, an event we desperately needed to go well, it was my wedding.
Molly came up behind me and put her arm around my shoulders. "You're going to be great up there. I just came from seeing my brother, and I've never seen anybody so-"
"Scared?" I offered.
"Happy," she said.
Music rang out from the local band that we'd hired, and I turned to find Valentina on my other side, sprigs of flowers laced through her hair. She handed a makeshift bouquet of wildflowers to Molly and kept the rest for herself.
"What about me?" I asked with a pout.
"Well . . ." Molly opened the door and beckoned, and Duke peered around the door frame with a giant bouquet of pink gerbera daisies and baby's breath in his hands.
"My brother said his bride had to have the best," he said with a wink.
I clutched the flowers and took a long, deep breath of their light springtime fragrance. A small card was tucked into the blooms and I snatched it out, reading the words quickly.
Knock 'em dead, duchess. I'll be up there waiting.
I smiled and tucked the card down the bodice of my dress for safekeeping. This was it-the big moment.
Molly and Valentina slipped from the room and I turned again, taking one last look in the mirror before the music changed, signaling my entrance. My father would be waiting outside the door for me, his arm outstretched, waiting to walk me toward the man of my dreams. Then Luke would be there at the gazebo with the minister, counting on me.
And he could count on me all he wanted.
Because when I got to his side? There was no chance of me going anywhere else in this whole wide world.
Moments later, we headed out, and three steps down the grassy path littered with flowers, my gaze met Luke's. A warm shiver raced over my skin as the emotion in his eyes hit me. I'd never seen him filled with such awe-or such sheer happiness. And I knew in that moment that our life together would be beautiful. I could envision it all-laughter, love, passion, babies, and all the sweet whiskey kisses I could handle.