Epilogue
Clara’s smile trembled. New Year’s Eve. Today was the day. Oh God, she was going to marry a man she’d only known for weeks. What was she thinking?
“Do you love him?” Robert asked, pacing the sitting area in Clara’s small suite.
“Of course, she loves him. It’s written all over her face.” Sue rolled her eyes, making Clara laugh.
“It’s not too late to call this off.” Robert declared. Her uncle was so adorable and eager to defend her. There was nothing like the love and support of your family.
“I love him. I never imagined I’d marry so quickly, or such a special man. He makes my heart pound and my soul sing. He gives me music and makes me whole. I’m so ready for this wedding. My life has changed so much, so quickly, I needed a moment to take a breath.”
“Darling you have every right to be nervous, but I’ve known Zane for years. He’s one of the good ones,” Sue said.
Clara chuckled. “I’m not worried about Zane. I was just overwhelmed. Thank you both for being here for us today.” There were no words for the depth of her gratitude. Robert and Sue had offered to give her away and act as stand-in parents. Their support was an immeasurable gift, as was their welcoming her into their family.
“I think I’m ready,” she whispered and kissed them both on the cheek. “Let’s get this over with so we can start the celebration.”
“I’ll go tell everyone we’re good to go.” Robert hurried from her suite.
Like they had for Trish and Riley’s wedding, they were using the foyer for the ceremony. This time, the celebration would be more intimate. Family and friends. The only guests from the inn were Wren, Noah as well as Wren’s mother. New baby Kate was in the hospital ICU. She was still too small to come home. Another three days and Kate would join them. Like Zane, Noah had changed jobs. He’d left his position in the city and was resuming his mechanic career here in Coyote Creek. They’d be moving into a rental house tomorrow.
“You look beautiful, dear. Your dress is stunning.” A soft smile graced Sue’s face.
“Zaria found it for me. She’s got a friend who designs clothing for movies. She pulled a string or two. I’m thrilled.” She looked down at the ivory gown. It had long, snug sleeves and was form-fitting. Not so tight as to be lewd, but snug enough to hint at her curves. In her three-inch heels, it barely brushed the floor. The bodice and hem were trimmed with bead encrusted French lace. Clara worried about how much it cost, but Zaria insisted it was a small gift for a new friend who had given her a job and helped her settle into her new hometown.
Clara stared into the tilting full-length mirror Sue had brought with her. Her hair had grown over the past few weeks. It reached just past her chin in a neat bob. At Zane’s request, she’d pulled back the left side to show the white spot. She didn’t know why he like it so much, but if seeing her weird unpigmented hair made him happy, she was more than willing to pull back her hair. Instead of a veil, she’d chosen a beaded tiara to match the dress.
She wasn’t one for makeup, but she’d let Honey and Zaria paint her face. The look was subtle, it was her without any bells and whistles, her but better. Prettier. She liked the look. She was going to learn to perfect it for future dates with her soon-to-be husband. Butterflies danced in her stomach and her heart tripped happily. She was almost married to the most magnificent man she’d ever met.
After his Christmas day proposal, he’d courted her, taking her to dinner and movies. Bringing her flowers and gifts. Doing odd jobs around the inn. He was a keeper for sure. They talked for hours, often late into the night after making love. She blushed, thinking of his skills. Wow! They shared life values and they both wanted children. Soon, but not too soon.
Sometimes she still wondered what he saw in her, but she’d taught herself to trust his love and believe that with time she too would begin to see what he saw in her. Zane loved her, he showed it in everything he did, and she loved him right back. More than she’d ever believed herself capable of.
Zane was so unlike her father and so much like her uncle it was incredible. She was lucky and blessed to have him in her life.
“Okay. Let’s do this.”
Moments later, she watched Honey, Zaria, Jane and Daisy stroll up the aisle. Sue held her left elbow. Robert held her right. Pausing at the threshold to the foyer, she whispered, “Thank you both so much for being here for me.”
Robert mumbled something that might have been an agreement. Sue said, “Never doubt this. You might not be the child of our bodies, but you are the daughter of our hearts. Let’s get you married. A handsome man is standing up there waiting to begin his life with you.”
“Thank you,” Clara whispered, and with a nod, they started forward in unison.
The minister from the Flints’ church stood beside Zane. Her future husband, the love of her life, was beautiful in his tuxedo. His tie and cummerbund matched her bridesmaid’s dresses. Daisy and Jane had chosen puffy flower print dresses with green trim that matched the rest of the wedding party. Clara was virtually oblivious to everyone except Zane.
She was so incredibly lucky, honored really, to be marrying a man like Zane. Solid, dependable, sexy, handsome. There weren’t enough words to describe him. She was equally lost, looking for a way to describe his effect on her. He was like a missing piece of a puzzle. He completed her, heart and soul.
She tried not to hurry forward and had to slow her pace when Sue tugged discretely on her elbow. Everyone stood, their faces wreathed in warm smiles, as she strode forward to meet her destiny.
“Hi,” she whispered when she arrived at his side.
“Hi back, beautiful.”
His warm smile stole her breath and she fell even further in love with him.
“Who gives this woman to be married?” the minister asked.
“We do!” the entire congregation called.
