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He smiled softly as he braced his hands on the bed next to my hip.
“I guess you bring out that side of me, peaches.”
I breathed a faint laugh and pulled him down for a kiss. The screen door slammed with a bang that echoed in the air.
“You two better not be up to any funny business,” Beau said.
Landon sighed and reluctantly tore himself away from me.
“I’ll fend him off while you get dressed.”
The next few hours were a whirlwind of preparations. The homestead was decked out in ribbons, streamers, and lanterns. Grandma Cora and I set up in my bedroom while she did my hair, pinning a few wildflowers into place for good measure.
“You better not be wearing those things,” she said, gesturing to the shoebox in the corner. A set of high heels nestled inside, protected by a cloud of tissue paper. “It’s tradition for country girls to wear boots on their wedding day.”
I lifted my skirt and extended one leg to display my boots.
“Way ahead of you, Grandma. I tried the heels but they were so uncomfortable. I like my boots better.”
She laughed and patted my shoulder.
“All done. I better check on Landon before the ceremony starts.”
I took Grandma’s hands, helping her out of the chair.
“I’m so glad I get to see the two of you tie the knot,” she added. “You’re good for him. And that man will love the hell out of you for the rest of his life.”
I grinned. “I know.”
As Grandma Cora made her way across the house to her old room, I couldn’t resist peeking out the door a crack. Landon and Beau greeted her warmly.
“Miss Cora, you’re looking lovely today,” Beau said. “Has anyone told you that?”
She hummed. “You smooth-talking son of a bitch can sit by me during the wedding. Landon, I brought your corsage. Come here. Let me pin it on you.”
A beat of silence passed. Then Landon spoke.
“Is this the part where you threaten me to treat your granddaughter right?”
“No need. You’re not dim-witted like your father. You’re well aware how lucky you are when it comes to Callie.”
“Yes, ma’am, I do,” Landon replied.
“That’sGrandmato you, young man. You’re about to be a McClaren, remember?”
“Grandma.” The smile in Landon’s voice was audible. “Thank you. For everything.”
“It’s good to see you smiling, Landon. I can’t tell you how proud I am to call you my grandson.”
The florist, Birdie Knowles, bustled into the room and I didn’t hear anything else. She was a warm, nurturing presence who navigated the chaos of the wedding plans with a calm-headed, pleasant demeanor. I couldn’t haven’t managed all of this without her. She pressed a massive bouquet of wildflowers into my hands—daisies and prairie coneflowers, poppies and sweet william, blue flax and evening primrose.
“Table arrangements are in place,” she said. “The avenue of sunflowers is lined up and ready to lead you to the altar. All guests are seated. The only thing we’re waiting on now is the bride, and my goodness, you are so pretty. Those forget-me-nots in your hair really bring out the blue in your eyes perfectly.”
The tread of boots on the floorboards followed by the squeak of the screen door signaled that Landon, Beau, and Grandma Cora had left the house. Birdie gave my hand a squeeze.
“Take your time, sweetie. This is a big moment. It’s normal to feel a bit nervous.”
I shook my head with a smile.
