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“Oh, that will be Lark and Dove.” Her mother went to answer it.
Dazed, Avalynn shook her head. “Dove?”
“She’s friends with Lark. Between the two of them, they’ve handled all the details. Just relax, Avalynn.” Her mother opened the door and two women stepped in.
For a heartbeat, her gaze met Lark’s. She read a hint of hesitation in the beautiful woman’s expression—and almost heard the question.
Are you holding up?
She bustled forward to embrace her new friend. Having that sisterly squeeze was so damn appreciated at this moment that tears sprang to her eyes.
No ugly crying. Stop.
“I hear you’ve been very busy, Lark. How can I ever thank you?”
The stunning blonde woman with her moved forward. “You can help keep her from losing her mind when she plans her own wedding to Clay.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Dove, Quaide’s fiancée.”
Red curls bounced around Lark’s face as she nodded. “He’s very old-fashioned and set in his ways. But what can I do? I love an older man.”
Dove laughed. “You spend enough time reminding him of your age difference.”
“But love doesn’t know any bounds.” Lark turned to her. “Does it, Avalynn?”
Her heart gave another little blip like champagne had hit her bloodstream. Why did it seem as if Lark saw more than she knew herself? She searched the woman’s face, hoping to find some answer to questions she didn’t know how to formulate yet.
This was all happening so fast. Could she really go forward with their scheme to get married?
The engagement had been whirlwind yet mind-blowing. She couldn’t imagine the lengths Julius had gone to for theirwedding.
She recovered enough to squeeze Dove’s hand. “Thank you for being here to share this day with us.”
Her mother beamed at all of them. Then she pointed to the gown. “Should we take a look at what you’ll walk down the aisle wearing?”
Now she felt like someone shook her up, and she was about to burst. “Yes!”
Suddenly, with so much excitement hanging in the air it felt like a real celebration.
With a grin, her mother drew the gown out of the garment bag. When she held it up for all to see, Avalynn clapped both hands over her mouth. Tears stung her eyes. “It’s perfect!”
“I knew that you’d choose that for yourself.” Dove’s smile was yet another ray of sun on the day.
Judging from the romantic and slightly bohemian design of the lace gown, Avalynn could guess at the theme of the wedding.
A tear hovered near her eyelid, on the verge of tumbling down her cheek. She held her eyes wide to keep it in.
Lark fondled the lace and shook her head. “I have to admit, I did not see Julius beating Clay to the altar!”
The ladies shared a laugh. When Dove looked to Avalynn, her smile softened. “In all seriousness, relationships with Sentry men work.”
Avalynn held out a hand, and Dove squeezed it. “Thank you all for being around me today.”
“You’re going to be the most beautiful bride,” her mother said.
What Julius had done to make this moment special for her was enough to tell Avalynn that if it actually were real…that she’d be the happiest bride.
* * * * *
As the string quartet struck up the lovely classical piece he had selected out of at least two dozen options, his heart contracted.
