She leaned back and put her arms around her kids. “You like Chris, don’t you?”
Both of them nodded vigorously.
“He took us to Beech Bend Park,” Katie announced.
“Well, he’s pretty busy with work right now.”
“Like Daddy was?” Jamie asked.
After a deep breath Corra decided to come clean. “No, not like your daddy. Chris owns a company here in town, and sometimes he gets real busy. So he might not be coming back to see Mommy again for a while. But, he’ll be at the wedding next week and you can see him then.”
“Yippee!” Katie cheered.
“Did you break up with him?” Jamie asked.
Corra looked at her little man with new eyes. He was growing up. “Something like that, yes.”
Chapter 25
Corra stood in Rollin’s bedroom on the most important day of his life, almost in tears. “This is the perfect weekend for a wedding. The weather is beautiful, the house is immaculate, and the whole family is here.”
“Only two people are missing,” Rollin added. “I wish Mama and Daddy were here.”
“Yeah, me too,” Corra agreed.
“I think I miss them more today than I ever have,” he said, staring at himself in the mirror.
“Don’t make me cry.” Corra wiped at her eyes. “Are you nervous?”
He seemed to consider the question for a moment, then shook his head. “Nope. I’m confident I’m marrying the right woman.”
Rollin pulled on his suit coat and gave himself one last look in the mirror.
“So handsome,” Corra said. “Tayler’s a lucky woman.”
“Don’t I know it,” Rollin said, as he bounced up on his toes.
Corra punched him in the arm.
“I’m just playing. If anybody’s lucky it’s me.” He turned to Corra with a serious expression on his face. “And thanks for helping me see that. I know I can be kind of stubborn sometimes.”
She smiled. Looks like that runs in the family.
Rollin turned around and wrapped his arms around Corra. “In case I haven’t told you lately, I’m so proud of you. I know it’s not easy raising two kids by yourself on the salary I can afford to pay you.”
“Thanks, but like I told you, this house is our family legacy. I wouldn’t want to work anyplace else. I’m amazed by how much we’ve grown since last year. And the future looks brighter than ever.”
The bedroom door opened and Rollin released his embrace. Corra wiped at the tears welling in her eyes. Her single brother was about to be a married man. Hopefully, one day Jamie and Katie would have more cousins.
Rollin’s best man walked in. “Oh, isn’t this touching. Brother and sister sharing a moment.” He closed the door behind him and walked over to give Rollin some dap.
Corra smiled. “Well, I’ll let you two do what guys do while I go find my sister-in-law.”
After making a quick pass through the family quarters to make sure everything and everyone was okay, Corra worked her way through the guests. Finally, she reached the stairs. Since the staircase would be a major focal point of the ceremony, earlier that morning Kyla and Corra had decorated it with tulle and flowers. If she had to say so herself, they did a stunning job.
Inside the same bedroom Tayler once occupied when she first arrived in Danville, Corra found her and her family. Corra had met Tayler’s family the day before, when they arrived, and instantly liked them.
“Oh, my God, Tayler! You look stunning.” Corra stood with her mouth open admiring Tayler in a white fitted gown with spaghetti straps, detailed with beaded lace, crystals and a small train.
Tayler smiled. “Me! You look amazing. And I see you have your Jimmy Choos on.” Tayler pulled up her dress to show off her shoes.
“Silver stilettos with wings?” Corra burst into laughter. If she knew Tayler those shoes cost a fortune. “Where did you get those?”
“Compliments of my husband-to-be. A good man buys you shoes.”
Seconds later, someone opened the door and said, “Showtime!”
Corra could hear soft music coming from downstairs. With her emotions running high, she walked to the door, but quickly turned around to give Tayler a gentle hug, and whispered into her ear, “Welcome to the family.”
* * *
After posing for too many pictures to count, Corra made her way into the backyard reception filled with beautiful flowers and beautiful people. Young men from their church served as waiters. The church had also loaned them a large tent that covered most of the area, along with some extra chairs. Guests floated in and out of the house.
While Corra and Tracee were admiring all of their hard work, Kyla and her date stepped out into the backyard, holding hands.