With careful, slow steps, Jace walked Clarissa down the aisle to the gazebo. He made sure to watch his steps and not to step on her long purple gown, all while smiling at the guests on either side. There were a lot of money-hungry looking faces and fluttering eyelashes looking back at him, but no Ella. He hadn't seen her yet.
Jace waited for Clarissa to let go of her death grip on his arm before moving to stand next to Jace.
“You have the rings, right?” Jason whispered, smiling out at the audience.
“Rings? What rings?” Jace patted his coat pockets and shrugged, enjoying the panicked expression that came over poor Jason's face. The bridal music was starting, so he put his hand on Jason's shoulder before the panic could take over. “Don't worry, man. I have everything under control.”
Jason shot him a dirty look and was about to say something when the carriage, drawn by the two white horses he'd helped groom, arrived. Everyone turned and looked as Madelyn, glowing and radiant, stepped off the white carriage with the help of their father.
Jace's heart swelled with pride for his beautiful little sister. She had grown up so much in the past few years and their friendship had only gotten better. It had always been the two of them against the world, but with age and responsibility they had become even closer. He was going to miss having her all to himself, but he couldn't think of a better man than Jason to take her away.
Madelyn's hand fit neatly in their father's arm as they began the procession down the outdoor aisle. But Jace wasn't looking at Madelyn anymore. Despite the fact that Madelyn was stunning and perfect, it was another woman that had his complete attention. Peeking out from behind the carriage was Ella. She had her blonde hair pulled back into a simple, tight bun and was wearing a very conservative navy blue dress, but she was all he could see.
He watched as she sighed softly, moving to pet Commander's nose, and making sure the bride made it down the aisle safely. The happy, wistful smile made her face soft and warm. It took actual effort not to walk to her and kiss her.
Her eyes flickered up to his and he smiled. Hurt flashed across her face and she ducked back behind the big horse. Jace wasn't sure what to make of that. If anything, she should have been shocked or relieved to see he wasn't the groom. Hurt was the last thing he expected. He quickly replayed their last conversation in his mind and couldn't find anything that would make her disappointed in him.
If the impulse to go to her and kiss her was strong before, the urge to go and fix whatever hurt he had done to make her sad was even more intense. His right foot actually lifted from the gazebo floor before he caught himself. He was in a wedding. His little sister's wedding.
Madelyn would kill him. Literally.
Setting his foot back down, he moved slightly to the side to try and see around the horse and carriage, but she was gone. He shifted his feet again, but it was no use. Clarissa shot him a dirty look to stay still. He stopped arching his neck and tried to focus solely on the happy bride, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Ella. He needed to find her and talk to her. At least she would be at the reception. He smiled, feeling the lines of worry shift from his face as he thought of how he was going to ask her to dance at the reception.
With happy thoughts filling his mind and face, he focused on the promises of his little sister and best friend, knowing that there were going to be two happy endings this evening.
Chapter Fourteen
“Make this place a success, baby girl. If anyone can do it, it's you.”
Ella's father's words echoed across her mind as she looked out at the reception and watched the celebrities mingle and smile for the cameras.
The wedding was a complete success. People would be talking about the beauty and perfection of the ceremony for years to come. Nothing had gone wrong. No one tripped, nothing was lit on fire, and absolutely no ambulances had been called.
“I'm doing it, Dad,” Ella said softly. She smiled, feeling proud of her work for the first time in months. Her plans for the inn were finally in motion. Everything she had worked so hard for the past few years was finally within her grasp. She was going to make her father proud.
So far, the reception was going exactly to plan. The largest meal they had ever served at the inn had gone off without a hitch. Only three plates were returned to the kitchen, and considering the palates of the guests, Ella was sure it was some sort of record. Actually, she had left the chef sobbing tears of joy as the meal completed and only compliments came in.
The speeches were over and the dancing was due to start at any moment. Ella felt the knot at the base of her neck slowly starting to relax. Her part of the wedding was over. The rest of the evening was up to the wedding director and the guests. She had made sure everything was beautiful and ready, which it was, and now there was nothing else for her to do but sit back and enjoy the party.