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Another knock.
“Come in.”
“I can’t.”
Ryan.
She rushed to the door, pressing her body against the wood. “What are you doing here?” she whispered. They hadn’t seen each other since the rehearsal dinner the night before. Being without him was killing her, but they’d made it this far. She might not care about wearing white, but she did care about superstitions. Only minutes separated them from being husband and wife. They wouldn’t falter now. “You can’t see me before the ceremony.”
His deep chuckle rumbled through the door. “I know. Ellie’s reminded me no less than a million times. I just wanted to check on you.”
Warmth spread through her body, and her fluttering nerves settled.
“Your mom’s freaking out about the snow. How are you feeling?” he asked.
She glanced to the window where the flakes were falling more quickly now. She’d always known if she ever married Ryan the day would be magical. Each drop of snow that drifted from the sky was a promise of the love they would share through the years. They’d rented tents and filled them with heaters and small gas fireplaces to keep the guests warm and the atmosphere cozy. Everything would be fine. Ryan’s love had taught her that. She could worry, stress, plan everything perfectly, but events would play out how they were meant to. In the meantime, she would set her sights on what she wanted most and go for it. Today, she wanted to start her forever in a tent by the lake with the man she loved while snow fell around them.
When she didn’t answer, the door started to open.
“Ryan, no.” She placed her hands against the door, ready to close it, but he didn’t push. Instead, his hand appeared around the edge, groping for hers. When she slipped her hand into his, he squeezed. She blinked away her tears and cleared her throat. “I’m good,” she told him. “Really good.” How could she not be good? This man was hers. Forever.
“Need me to carry you?” Even through the door, she could tell he smiled. “You sometimes have trouble on the grass.”
Although he couldn’t see her, she rolled her eyes, remembering the night six years ago when he’d thrown her over his shoulder and flipped her world upside down. “I think I can manage. You just be at the altar when I get there.”
He tugged her hand through the opening and pressed his lips to her palm. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. At least until later . . .”
Some things never changed.“Be patient.”
He huffed. “I think I’ve proven I can wait for things I really want . . . and, Cass, there’s nothing I want more than to be your husband.”
Her vision blurred. If he kept this up, she’d ruin her makeup. “It’s almost time, you better—”
Tiny footsteps tapped raced up the stairs. “Daddy, what are you doing? You can’t see Mommy.”
Ryan dropped her hand. “I didn’t. I swear. I was just checking to make sure she hadn’t gotten cold feet.”
Cassie could all but hear Ellie’s eyes roll to the back of her head. “Of course her feet are cold, Daddy. Mommy’s always cold. Plus, it’ssnowing.”
Cassie grinned and stepped away from the door. Ryan’s voice drifted away, then the door creaked open and Ellie slipped in.
She opened her mouth as if to chide Cassie for talking to Ryan, but instead a smile split her little face. “Oh Mommy, you look like a . . . a princess.”
Cassie’s eyes again filled with tears, as she pulled her daughter against her. Ellie wrapped her arms around Cassie’s waist and squeezed tight.
Pulling back, Cassie surveyed the dark green taffeta dress Ellie had chosen herself. She smoothed away a few wrinkles and straightened her sash. “You look beautiful too, sweet girl.”
Ellie beamed, causing her dimples to cave. “Daddy’s a lucky man.”
Cassie laughed. “You think?”
With a shrug, Ellie replied. “That’s what he said.”
“Ready?” Cassie’s father appeared in the doorway. He rubbed at his eyes and sniffed suspiciously.
Butterflies alighted in Cassie’s stomach as she took Ellie’s hand and nodded. Finally the time had come for her to receive her forever Christmas gift.
* * *
