“He already knew how to sew, Isabelle.” Sarah looked torn a moment, then came over to stand by Isabelle, taking her hands. “While he was still inpatient at Walter Reed, he mentioned the quilt I’d given to Bodie to his occupational therapist. Wisely, she thought learning to sew would be good therapy for Zach as he regained use of his right hand. Not that you’d notice now, but he had nerve damage due to shrapnel near his spine.”
Hearing about Zach’s injuries, Isabelle winced. “I—he never told me.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I thought you should know that wasn’t why Zach agreed.”
Isabelle’s heart thudded against her ribcage. “Why did he agree to find Dad in exchange for me teaching him something he already knew?”
Sarah gave Isabelle’s hands a gentle squeeze. “That’s something you’ll have to ask Zach.”
Chapter Fourteen
The closer itgot to two o’clock, the more Isabelle’s insides jittered with anxiety. She’d mentally ticked off every item of what needed to be done prior to Sophie’s walk down the aisle. She’d gone over every list, marked off every item, and committed all the couldn’t-be-done-until-the-final-moments ones to memory. The only thing that wasn’t as it should be was her dark hair, and that she’d have to live with. Maybe the photographer could photoshop the color. She made a mental note to ask after the ceremony.
Music played as family and close friends arrived, smiling and chatting about the various patriotic quilts draped over pew backs. After the small gathering of guests was seated, Pastor Smith, Cole, Andrew, Ben, and Bodie exited one of the side rooms at the front of the auditorium and stood near the altar. Each man wore his uniform proudly—Bodie in his army, Cole in his Marine, Andrew and Ben in their firefighter, and Pastor Smith in a navy suit.
Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Isabelle made another mental check mark.
Well, almost perfect. The man standing by himself near the foyer water fountain kept distracting her. Did he know they could see him from their vantage point on the stairs? Where Sophie had dug up their father’s uniform was beyond Isabelle, but he’d agreed to her request for him to wear it. Based upon his pallor and the way he clenched and unclenched his fingers, he might be regretting that decision. Isabelle knew enough about trauma to have momentary concern over his being in his uniform for the first time in over twenty years but refused to feel empathy for someone who had caused her family so much pain. She didn’t want to think about him.
Or the man who stood by the doors leading into the church. Was Zach standing guard to make sure her father didn’t run away?
Ugh. Isabelle moved to where she couldn’t see into the foyer, turning back toward her smiling sister. That, she thought… that was why all this was worth every icky feeling inside her. Sophie was happy. Truly happy. And this day was as her sister wanted. That was all that mattered.
The music changed and they entered the foyer. Greyson, dressed in the cutest little suit, joined them. When it was time, he’d pull the wooden wagon with its gorgeous quilt and sleeping Jeannie to stand with the wedding party. One by one, Bodie and Ben escorted the Butterflies to their respective seats with John, Lou, Charlie, and Uncle George. Then, winking as he passed by his pretty redheaded wedding date, Ben came back to the foyer to collect Darlene.
Looking watery-eyed, their mom kissed Sophie’s cheek. “I love you, honey. Be this happy always.”
Tears prickling her own eyes, Isabelle sniffled.
“Always.” Sophie gave their mom a quick hug, then smiled as Ben linked arms with Darlene to escort her down the aisle to her reserved seat in the first pew.
When her father followed Ben and her mother, Isabelle’s stomach dropped. What was he doing? She reached to stop him. Did he think he was supposed to already be in the church? How could he walk Sophie down the aisle if he was already up front?
“No, don’t.” Sophie grabbed Isabelle’s arm. “Let him go with Mom.”
Panic clutched Isabelle’s insides. This was not how she had things listed out on her ceremony checklist. “I don’t understand.”
“You went to so much trouble to get Dad here, Izzy.” Sophie’s eyes were soft and without a single trace of anything but joy and love. “Please don’t be mad that, earlier today, I realized I didn’t want him to walk me down the aisle, after all.”
The floor shifted beneath Isabelle’s heels. “You don’t?”
Sophie shook her head. “I’m glad Dad’s here but having him walk me down the aisle to give me to Cole didn’t feel right. I talked with Dad about it, Mom and Cole, too, explaining how I felt, and they all agreed.”
The music changed to the song that Greyson and Jeannie were to make their appearance to. Pulling the sleeping flower girl in her wagon, Greyson made his way into the auditorium.
“Aw.” “How adorable.” “So cute.” Whispers could be heard.
With a big smile on her face and a little wave of the fingers holding her bouquet, Annabelle stepped into the auditorium, leaving Sarah, Isabelle, and Sophie in the hallway.
“I don’t know what to say,” Isabelle admitted, her stomach in a tight knot. “I’m not mad, just shocked that you changed your mind. But it doesn’t matter, Sophie. You marrying Cole is what matters.” At her words, Sophie’s eyes shined, and Isabelle’s tension eased. “All I’ve ever wanted is for today to be everything you’ve dreamed.”
“It is,” Sophie assured. “Thanks to Cole, to you, and to our friends and family sharing this with us.”
“Love you,” Sarah whispered from where she’d been standing next to them, watching the exchange all shiny-eyed. Then, smiling, she entered the auditorium.
Knowing she was seconds away from making her entrance, Isabelle leaned over and, careful not to wrinkle Sophie’s dress, hugged her sister. “No worries, Soph. Not about anything. I agree with Mom. Be happy, always.”
Sophie hugged her tightly, but didn’t let go, even when the note hit that indicated Isabelle should join the others.
