AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jake nodded toward Sawyer. “Your brother has them too.”
Jake looked over his shoulder at Sawyer. “Yeah. I know.”
Sawyer laughed. “You seem to do alright despite the fact you got granddad’s brown eyes.”
Jake looked at his two sons. “Yet neither of you have a date for the wedding.”
J.T. shook his head. “You never bring a date to a wedding. They’re bound to get carried up in the romance of it all. Next thing you know, they expect to see a wedding in their future. I don’t want to get caught in that trap.”
Sawyer came up to them. “Truer words were never spoken. Flying solo at a wedding is the onlyway to go.”
“I guess you guys would know. The only other wedding I’ve been to was my own. But hopefully, I’ll go to at least three more in the coming years.”
Sawyer shook his head. “Don’t hold your breath, Dad. I’m not looking for love.”
“Neither was I.”
Ember’s mother, Eileen, was fussing with the short veil flowing out from a band of ivory roses, and falling to Ember’s shoulders.
“You’re absolutely gorgeous, darling.”
“Thank you, Mom. Now please stop fussing with the veil. It’s fine.”
Eileen stepped away from her and looked at Genny and Sage in their pale blue dresses, then started to cry.
Ember hugged her. “Mom.”
“I’m sorry.”
Genny came and took Eileen’s arm. “I think it’s time for a pre-wedding glass of champagne.”
Eileen nodded. “I think you’re right.”
Genny poured four glasses of champagne and handed them out. She then held up her glass. “To the bride. My brother is a lucky man.”
Ember smiled. “Thank you. But I’m pretty sure I’m the lucky one.”
She drank some champagne, then went to look in the mirror again. “She loved her dress. Itwas a simple style made with a full ivory satin skirt and antique lace on the sleeveless bodice. The neckline was square and cut low enough to tease a little, but not be scandalous. Around her neck she wore a blue sapphire necklace her parents gave her for her something new and something blue. Her old and borrowed items were also one and the same and provided by Genny. It was a beaded bracelet Noko Esty had made her when she was a child. Genny had told Ember it would bring her good luck.
Sage came up behind her. “Are you ready?”
Ember nodded. “Yes.” She turned and hugged Sage. “I’m so ready.”
Sage looked at her for a moment. “I just want you to know…I’m really happy you were there for Dad when he really needed someone. I hate to think what would’ve happened if you hadn’t been his nurse.”
“I’m glad I was there for him too. He was just so alone in the world. I couldn’t leave him to fend for himself.”
Sage hugged her again. “Thank you. Truly.”
If Jake had been a man quick to tears, he would’ve been crying at the sight of Ember. But he wasn’t. So he watched dry-eyed and awestruck as she walked down the aisle toward him on her father’s arm.
When they got to the front of the church andDale handed her off to him, Jake nodded and said, “Thank you,” as though the man had given him the most precious gift in the world. And maybe he had. He’d just entrusted his daughter to a man he barely knew.
Dale returned his nod, then went to sit by his wife, who was crying in the front row.
Jake took Ember’s hands in his and looked at her. Then cocked his head. “Who are you again?” She threw her arms around his neck and he whisper in her ear. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist.”
She pulled back and looked at him. “I’d hate you right now if I didn’t love you so much.”
