Wyatt glanced in the mirror and made an adjustment. “Better?”
“Not quite.” Royce stepped forward and re-adjusted the tie. He smiled as he patted the tie in place. “Are you ready for this?”
“Is everyone here?”
The man nodded. “Your brothers arrived just before I came up here.”
“Then yes, I’m ready. More than ready. I’ve been waiting a long time to find someone like Sherry.” He picked up the brush from the bureau and quickly ran it through his hair. “Have you seen her yet?”
“Not yet. She’s still getting ready. Delilah, Leslie, Mrs. Gallagher, and Lucy are still helping her.”
“I heard them laughing earlier. That’s a good sign, I think.”
The man agreed. “I think so, too. You should go downstairs and greet your guests.”
Wyatt checked his appearance in the mirror one last time, ran his fingers through his hair, then followed Royce from the room. He could hear the chatter from Josie’s girls from the top of the stairs, as well as Doctor Ben, Marshal Goodrich, his wife, Tresia, Merril and Polly, Ken and his fiancé, Angela, and the entire Hannigan/Silva clan. More guests were expected for the party after the wedding.
“You’re doing this?” His brother slapped his back when he entered the parlor.
Wyatt grinned. “I am. She’s lovely, Kyle. You’re gonna like her, I promise.”
“I’m sure I will.” There was a little bit of wistfulness in Kyle’s voice. “Mama talks about Sheridan like the sun rises and sets on her.”
Preston punched Kyle lightly in the arm. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
Kyle shook his head.
“Now that Wyatt’s getting married, Mama’s gonna set her sights on getting us married, too.”
Kyle’s response was to frown as he glared at Wyatt. “See what you started? Mama’s gonna be relentless in her pursuit of wives for us.”
“She’s already probably talked to Lucy. I’d run if I were you.” Wyatt laughed then grew serious. “Actually, let yourselves be caught. There is nothing in the world like the love of a good woman.” He smiled, knowing his words were true. “Let me greet the rest of our guests. Help yourselves to something to drink.”
“Sure thing. And congratulations.” Kyle pumped his hand as Preston patted him on the back.
He moved away from his brothers and found himself walking toward Hank, his best man, and His Honor, Mr. Peabody. A red rose was tucked into the lapel of Hank’s jacket.
“Congratulations, son.” Mr. Peabody shook his hand. “Are you nervous?”
Wyatt shook his head. “Not at all.”
Hank grinned at him. “Not even a little?”
“Not even a little.”
“When I married Mary, I was so nervous, my entire face shook.” He laughed. “Mary said she couldn’t even look at me.”
“I know.” Wyatt laughed as well. “I was there.” He was about to say something about how well Hank’s and Mary’s marriage had turned out when he noticed Royce standing at the bottom of the stairs. A moment later, he saw his mother, followed by Mrs. Gallagher, who dabbed at her eyes, and Leslie, who winked at him.
“If you’ll be seated,” Royce addressed the guests as he grasped Delilah’s hand and led her to one of the chairs that had been set up in the parlor.
Barrie seated herself at the piano and struck the first chord of the wedding march. The guests quieted and focused on the stairs.
Lucy came down first, looking as lovely as ever. She held a small bouquet of wildflowers, the first blooms of the season. She moved with effortless grace toward Mr. Peabody, Hank and him and smiled.
Wyatt barely noticed. His focus was on the stairs, and then he saw her. His Sherry. She looked so beautiful, it took his breath away. The dress was perfect. A shimmering ivory creation made by Leslie Carmichael’s loving hands. Sheridan’s golden blonde hair had been swept up in a riot of curls. Instead of a veil, flowers had been tucked into the curls and flowed down her back, but it was the look on her face that drew his attention. He’d never seen her so happy.
And that made him happy, so happy he couldn’t take his eyes away from her. When she stepped up beside him, he clasped her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
