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She turned back just in time to see Asher holding up a vintage square diamond ring surrounded by smaller diamonds. “This was my grandmother’s ring,” he told her gently, reaching for Remy’s hand. “And her mother’s before that. My mom gave this to me to propose to you. I had to size it to your finger, which is why I didn’t give it to you when I proposed…again.” He slid the ring on her finger. “You should have seen Mom that day, Remy, she was so very excited about you officially becoming her daughter. It had been a bright moment in her depression.”
Tears welled in Remy’s eyes and she fought them not to mess up her makeup. “It’s so beautiful, Asher.”
He glanced into her eyes. “It’s perfect on you.” He kissed her forehead, then hugged her so very tight. “I better let the girls back in here before they kill me.”
When he turned away, she grabbed his hand. “Your mom is with us today, you know. I dreamed of her last night.” Remy hadn’t wanted to say anything when they woke up this morning, thinking that maybe mentioning his mother would have been too hard for him.
“What did you dream?” he asked softly.
Remy smiled. “The dream was of her and two mourning doves. She looked so happy petting them. Peaceful.”
Asher returned the smile, but he looked full of emotion. “Thanks for telling me that, Remy. I hope you’re right.” He moved to the door, then glanced over his shoulder. “Did you know that mourning doves were her favorite birds?”
She shrugged. “No, but after last night’s dream, I figured as much.”
Asher laughed softly, then left. He may never believe in all the things Remy did, but he never discounted her either.
Kinsley entered the room again, with Peyton in tow. “Holy shit,” Kinsley said, rushing toward the dress. “That is…no, it can’t be.” She glanced over her shoulder at Remy, wide-eyed. “Is it?”
“What am I missing?” Peyton asked, studying the dress intently. “This is a seriously gorgeous dress.”
“A really long time ago I saw this dress in a store and fell madly in love,” Remy explained, moving back to her spot on the bed. She tucked in her robe when she sat cross-legged, and Salem promptly climbed back onto her lap. “I was with Asher when we walked by the store and I don’t think I stopped talking about it for weeks.” She hesitated, then realized something she hadn’t before. “Actually, the old dress shop store was where my shop is now.”
“Oh, my God, you’re right,” Kinsley said, reaching for the curling iron and getting to work on the curls again. “I totally forgot that dress shop was there. That’s kind of cool.”
“It’s perfectly right,” Peyton said, grabbing the blush brush and getting back to work on Remy’s makeup.
Remy’s gaze fell to the dress again. Okay, so maybe fate sometimes did get things right.
Forty-five minutes later, wearing the dress that was a tad too tight but thankfully fit, Remy followed the girls down the staircase, with her hair in flowy waves around her face. When they reached the kitchen that led to the outside, Peyton smiled. “Ready?”
“Beyond ready.” Remy nodded.
Peyton left through the back door and then a beautiful feminine voice filled the silence. Remy made a note to make sure to thank the regular singer at Whiskey Blues for lending her voice to the ceremony.
“I’m so happy for you, Remy.” Kinsley gave Remy a quick kiss on the cheek. “Let’s go get you married…again.” She laughed as she headed out.
Remy followed, immediately greeted by every cop in Stoney Creek and some even from Whitby Falls. The rest of the people in the yard were friends that both she and Asher had gained over the years, and, of course, MaryJane and her gossip crew were there to witness something they could talk about for the next month, even though they all seemed confused there was a second wedding.
Remy carefully made it down the wooden stairs of the deck and then her focus narrowed on Asher. He looked slick and sexy in his black suit and a light green tie. He stood between his mother’s flowerbeds, which looked alive again with the green plants that Remy had bought, and the girls had gotten planted. Boone and Rhett stood off to the side, standing up for him. Judge Mulroney was in front of Asher.
With each step Remy took, Asher’s eyes warmed. Right as she passed the first flowerbed, nearly reaching him, two mourning doves suddenly flew out of the flowerbed closest to Remy and then rested on the white wooden arbor.
“See, she’s here.” Remy smiled when she reached him.
Emotion danced in his eyes as Asher took her hand and kissed her palm. “You brought her back here.” He tugged her forward until she pressed against him and his hand sprawled along her back. “You brought life back here…and to me.”
She smiled up at him, not caring they weren’t following wedding protocol. Life was on their terms now. “If these are your vows, you’re off to a good start.”
He chuckled and arched an eyebrow. “Baby, I’ve had years to think of what I’m about to say to you.”
She slid her hand up to cup his face. “Just promise me forever, Asher. That’s all I need.”
His mouth brushed across hers. “Don’t kid yourself, Remy. Me and you, we’ve always had forever.”
Epilogue
Five months later…
