“Isabelle?” Zach asked from next to her father.
She couldn’t see him, but the concern in his voice was palpable. No wonder. Her vocal cords refused to function.
“This was a mistake.” Her father’s voice, sounding the same as she remembered, tore into her resolve and had her agreeing. This had been a horrible mistake. He attempted to stand, but Zach’s hand settling on his shoulder stayed him.
“You’re not going anywhere until Isabelle has her say. You owe her that and a lot more.”
Zach’s voice, knowing he was there, that he’d gone to Louisiana for her, eased her rattled nerves enough to free her tongue.
“Sophie wants you to walk her down the aisle,” she began. Her father’s eyes closed. “Her wedding is this weekend. Zach will bring you to Pine Hill. Walk Sophie down the aisle and give her the wedding she wants. I’ll foot your travel expenses.”
“I’m not coming back to Pine Hill.”
It was the first thing he’d said directly to her in over twenty years. Goosebumps prickled her skin as the brevity of the moment hit. She was talking with her father.
“It’s what Sophie wants.”
His blue gaze stared at her from the screen. “Is it what you want, Isabelle?”
Her tongue stuck to the roof of her dry mouth. She swallowed. “It doesn’t matter what I want. Sophie wants you to walk her down the aisle.”
“That’s not going to happen.” He looked up at Zach. “You shouldn’t have found me. Doing so was a waste of your time. I have nothing else to say.”
There was a moment of silence, then Zach glanced toward the phone, his expression tight and the golden flecks in his hazel eyes glowing almost as if they were on fire. “Isabelle, is there anything else you want to say?”
Yes. No. Panic filled her. Twenty-plus years’ worth of things she wanted to say flooded her. Angry things. Pleading for him to come home things. Sad things. Happy things. Now was her moment, probably the only moment she’d ever have to say any of them, and words failed her yet again.
When she still didn’t speak, Cliff attempted to stand again, but Zach yet again stayed him with a pointed look that said he wasn’t going anywhere until Isabelle gave the okay.
Grimacing, he repeated, “This was a mistake.”
Heart beating so hard it might explode, Isabelle found her voice. “Yes, it obviously was a mistake. Because you’re too selfish to do this one thing for the most amazing daughter, who, despite you abandoning her, is still heartbroken that you aren’t there to walk her down the aisle.” Oh, saying that felt good. Her shoulders lifted, as did her chin. “If you have one ounce of decency, if you ever loved any of us even the slightest bit, then you’ll be at Sophie’s wedding and give her this one thing. You owe her that and so much more.”
Isabelle disconnected the call. Her bravado wilted the moment the connection ended. Her entire body sagging, she burst into full-blown sobs.
Chapter Thirteen
Feeling much asSanta must on Christmas Eve, Isabelle checked her various Sophie’s wedding checklists, making sure each item was marked off or soon would be.What to do leading up to wedding. What to do on day of rehearsal. What to do on wedding day.
Flipping through her pages, she stopped atRehearsal, then glanced around at the red, white, and blue Christmas-themed décor and quilts adding splashes of color to the church auditorium. The best Isabelle could tell, she’d created what Sophie wanted. Almost.
Her stomach clenched at the memory of her video call with her father. It was better that he’d said no. Even her mother had said so when Isabelle had told her about the call. Afterward, Isabelle had cried, long hard tears that left her gutted and in a fetal position for a while, but she was glad he’d said no. Zach had thought she needed peace. Fine, now she had it. Good riddance.
“Places, everyone.” Maybelle dinged a spoon against a glass, calling the wedding rehearsal to order. “Places.”
At Maybelle’s bidding, Cole, Andrew, Ben, and Bodie joined Pastor Smith at the front of the church that had also been decorated with a blend of patriotic quilts and Christmas. Isabelle, Sophie, Sarah, and Annabelle moved to the back of the auditorium. A couple of the other firefighters served as ushers, and one escorted Darlene to the front. As Cole hadn’t known anyone in Pine Hill other than the uncle who’d passed while Cole was serving in the Middle East, leaving him his farm, they had foregone bride-groom sides, and everyone was to sit wherever they wanted.
Pastor Smith gave a short spiel, welcoming the nonexistent guests. Then the music began, a blend of patriotic and holiday songs. Pretending to carry her bouquet, Annabelle walked toward the men, followed by Sarah. Isabelle and then Sophie did the same. They ran through the entire ceremony and when they were done, Isabelle pulled out her notebook, read through her notes, and made a few suggestions based on things Sophie had told her.
“Okay, with those tweaks, let’s start from the top one more time just to be sure everyone knows when to do what,” Maybelle insisted, clapping her hands.
When they were in the back of the church, Sophie gave her a big hug.
“In case I haven’t told you enough, thank you.” Sophie squeezed a little tighter. “I won the lottery when I got you for a sister, Izzy. I hope you know how much I love and appreciate you.”
Isabelle sniffled. “I’m the lucky one having you for a sister. Can you imagine what a grump I’d be if I didn’t have your constant positive attitude setting me straight?”
“Well, now you have Zach to keep you smiling. I love how happy you are when you’re with him.” Sophie’s forehead scrunched. “I hope he makes it back from wherever he had to go in time for the rehearsal dinner.”
