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A low growl emitted from Gia’s throat, surprising me. “You think he’s here to scope out the competition?”
“It’s turning out to be amazing, so you have nothing to worry about. Now get the bridal party to start walking before the guests get antsy.”
Gia straightened, her face transforming into the cool and capable mask I was used to. “We’re walking in two.”
A few minutes later, the guests turned when Ireland’s brother, Finn, played the first few notes of Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major on the violin. Then Ethan’s son, Miles, walked down the aisle with one of Zoe’s cousins, who threw flower petals as they walked.
Gia directed the wedding party while I stood off to the side, ready to step in and help if she needed it.
Zoe’s sister was the last to walk before Zoe came into view. She looked so radiant in her wedding dress as she walked with her hand in the crook of her father’s arm. She kept her gaze on Max as she walked confidently toward him. She kissed her father’s cheek before he handed her off to Max.
The moment was even more meaningful because they’d chosen to get married on my farm, the place that already held so many wonderful memories.
While they exchanged vows, Jake turned in his seat, caught my gaze, and held it for a few seconds before he winked. Maybe he was saying that we’d be the ones getting married one day, or maybe it was just a sweet, shared moment. Jake and I were solid, but we hadn’t discussed something as serious as marriage. I wasn’t even sure he was interested in getting married.
He loved me, and that was enough for now. We didn’t like to spend the evenings apart. Not when we were so busy with our respective businesses during the day. So, he spent every night here and helped me around the house and farm.
He was the person I came home to, the soft spot to land. I couldn’t imagine us living anywhere else.
My heart was full when the preacher declared Max and Zoe husband and wife. Once the bridal party walked down the aisle, we sprang into action, some of us helping with the receiving while the others directed the guests to the porch for cocktails. Abby wanted the bridal party to pose for pictures in front of the pond, the gazebo, and the barn.
Zoe had even requested photographs in front of the house. As a surprise, I’d added flower arrangements on the columns and to the gazebo to enhance the pictures. This was my first wedding, and it was an advertisement of what was possible for events held here.
Gia mentioned making it part of a package, but I liked the idea of always having flowers in certain places as part of the flower farm’s reputation. I was still playing with the idea. If it was too expensive, I’d have to reconsider it. But for now, it was good marketing.
When pictures were finished, we guided everyone to the barn. Jake got my attention. “Sit down and take a break.”
“I’m kind of in charge, you know,” I said with a smile as I sat down next to him, grateful to be off my feet.
“You can take a few minutes to eat. Otherwise, you’ll pass out from hunger.”
Gia said we could take a break during dinner. That Ireland would be available if there was an issue.
“I’m so impressed with what you did with the barn. You really transformed the space,” Hailey said.
“Gia helped. She has a vision, along with the bride, and I make it happen.”
“It’s amazing, and it’s giving me ideas for my own wedding,” Hailey said.
I grinned. “That’s the idea.”
My dream had become reality. I let the good feelings flow through me. Even if my parents or sister weren’t here to see my success, it didn’t matter. The pictures would hang on the wall at Happily Ever Afters as an advertisement for other brides and grooms.
Jake leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Are you ready for things to get busier?”
“Not really.” I’d hired two part-timers to work at the shop, and so far, they’d worked out great. I held out until I found ones who were interested in plants and trained them so they could converse knowledgeably with the customers about arrangements. Hiring help freed up my time to handle the farm events.
I was handling the deliveries, but I wondered if it would soon be too much. I delivered locally two days a week. I loved being the one who arranged the flowers, wrote the notes, and delivered them with love. But I could see it growing with more requests from farther away. I needed to invest in a good shipping service.
“Enjoy this. It’s only the beginning.”
“You’re right.” It was important to celebrate each step along the way and be present for the little moments. Success wasn’t a having a degree or opening a medical practice; it was the experiences like this.
We ate, and I reveled in being present for once at a reception. Not standing on the outskirts, making sure everything was running smoothly, but just enjoying the moment. After dinner, Finn strummed his fingers over the strings of his guitar to warm up.
When we interviewed Finn, he said he taught music at a school, and played most instruments, but the guitar was his favorite.
“I love his music. He’s played at Max’s a few times,” Hailey said.
