Brynlee
The wedding has been set up in the backyard of our house, and I stand in the bedroom as Darla finishes buttoning up the back of my dress. The lace along the bodice looks both elegant and timeless, and it was the first and only dress I tried on.
Strapless, it hangs just off the ground in my wedges in the slight A-line skirt. Compared to the dress Mary picked for mywedding to Kevin, this is simple. But I love it. I also love the changes in my body no one but Rhett and I notice. My boobs have begun to fill out—finally—and I swear my stomach protrudes just a bit.
“This is a beautiful dress, Brynlee,” Darla says.
I look at her through the mirror and smile. The deep red dress she wears works well with her curled hair tied up in a simple updo. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad you didn’t want a train. This is perfect.”
My grandmother’s pearls compliment the dress beautifully, and I like the way my curls hang loose over my shoulders. Nothing is over-the-top, and it’s not uncomfortable. It’s perfect.
“How are you doing?” I ask, taking her hands. It’s hard not to notice the lack of wedding ring on her finger.
Right after Rhett and I announced our engagement, we learned Carter and Darla split up. The day after Christmas. I hate how guilty I feel knowing I played a part in it. If I knew going into business with Darla would end her marriage, I wouldn’t have even offered.
Carter moved into Rhett’s old house with Everett, and Darla’s still in the house. The only time she doesn’t stay there is when Carter has the girls. They decided to be the ones to shift rather than make the girls uproot their lives every other week.
Darla shakes her head at me. “This is your day.”
“And you’re my friend. My best friend. And my business partner.”
Licking her lips, she nods. “I’m gettin’ through.”
At least business is going really well. “Have you talked to him?”
“Only when we make the swap for the girls. It’s hard, but I think it’s what we both need. I can tell he feels it, too.”
From what Rhett tells me, this isn’t true. Carter hates being separated from his wife, but I’m not going to upset Darla with that. Not today, anyway.
“And you’re sure this is what you want?”
“I won’t lie and say I’m happy, but I’m relieved. You know better than anyone else how tirin’ it is to pretend nothin’ is wrong. You did it with your old life, and I’ve been doin’ it for years in my marriage.”
My heart breaks for her because no matter how tough she seems, I know how much she loves Carter. “I’m sorry, Darla.”
“It’s okay. I think it happens with a lot of people who marry too young. You miss out on life and dreams you didn’t chase. It’s now comin’ back and bitin’ me in the ass.”
“Ready?” Martin calls from the hallway.
Darla hands me a bouquet of wildflowers, and I smile. “Ready.”
We walk out, and my father-in-law gasps as his eyes widen. He wears a dashing suit, and he looks like a Southern James Bond. “You look like an angel.”
“Thank you,” I say, the tears already springing to my eyes. Today will be filled with moments of fighting back the happy tears. A day I never knew would be this joyful.
Following Darla to the back door, we hear the music start, and she walks out first. Martin turns to me and offers his arm. “We’re so happy to have you in the family, Brynlee.”
“Me, too,” I say and take his arm.
It hasn’t been a year since Rhett and I met each other, but I’ve known from the very beginning he’s the one for me. And I truly believe Mama and Daddy brought us together. They saw what they couldn’t have down here, and they made it happen.
“Jensen and Kathleen would be tickled pink that you chose the family home to get married. And raise a family.”
Sniffling, I nod. “That’s enough of that. I’m already having a difficult time not crying.”
“You’re happy?”
