by Beth Carter
Suzy folded Hope’s enormous garment bag over her arm. “Let’s go inside before we get hypothermia.”
Once inside the warmth of Cole’s home, Cheri led them to Cole’s bedroom. Suzy unzipped the bag and spread Hope’s dress on the bed. She sucked in her breath. “Your dress is stunning, hon.”
Cheri and Alex eyed the sweetheart neckline, long, lacy sleeves, and wide tulle skirt. “It’s beautiful,” they said in unison.
Hope propped her red cowboy boots beside the bed and stretched her bare feet. “I’m so happy he bought Britney a matching pair. That was a surprise.”
“Plus you’ll stay warm in this shitty weather,” Alex said, as she glanced at a clock on a nightstand. Raising her eyebrows, she added, “You only have thirty minutes to do your hair and makeup. We’d better hurry.”
Hope burst out laughing. “That’s an eternity. I can shower and dress in that amount of time.”
Cheri led her to an antique wooden desk and plunked her in a chair. “How about if we do your hair and makeup?”
“Really? I think I’ll feel like a celebrity. Go ahead, but don’t overdo it. I want Tucker to recognize me.”
Chapter 93
Alex plunked a massive cosmetics bag on the bed. “Whatever Cheri doesn’t have, I do. Of course, mine is from Walgreens.” As she fished through eye shadow, mascara, bronzer, blush, and an eyelash curler, she asked, “Does anyone have a clean tissue so I can dump this onto the bed?”
Suzy plucked a tissue from her pocket. Alex stared at it for far too long. “It’s clean.” After spreading the tissue on a bench at the end of the bed, Alex spilled the cosmetics on top, pulled up a chair, and directed Hope to sit down. “Girls, this is a joint effort. What did you bring to the pre-wedding party?” Cheri ran to the bathroom and reappeared. “I have sparkles.”
Hope appeared confused. “Sparkles as in fireworks? I guess that would be a nice touch afterward.”
“No, silly,” Cheri said. “Sparkles for your shoulders, chest, cheekbones, arms—or wherever you want to shimmer on your wedding day.”
Hope cackled. “I’ve never shimmered before.”
“There’s never been a better time to glow, my friend, even though you’re doing a good job of it naturally,” Suzy said. “The new mom glanced worriedly toward the barn.”
Obviously noticing, Alex said, “I’m sure the babies are in good hands with Ken.”
“You’re right.” Suzy turned to Hope. “Sorry, the only thing I can contribute are wet wipes and diaper rash cream.”
The women snickered. “I’m not touching that”, Alex said.
“I want to watch you work your magic.” Hope sipped her margarita and turned toward the mirror. She caught a glimpse of herself and her eyes bulged. “Oh, my God. Look at my hair. The moisture from the snow made it frizzy. Darn. I had it tamed fairly well this morning. It looks horrible.”
“Never fear,” Alex said as she made a circular motion with her index finger, indicating Hope should turn away from her reflection. “You can look after we’re finished.”
Within minutes, Alex and Suzy got on either side of the bride and expertly applied a rose lip gloss, taupe eye shadow, charcoal gray eyeliner and plenty of waterproof, black mascara.
Cheri ran into another room and returned holding shoulder length, dark brown hair extensions. She held them up behind Hope’s back. Alex put a finger to her lips to keep the extensions secret, while Suzy nodded approval. As Alex and Suzy finished applying makeup, Cheri expertly added the extensions, using a curling iron to blend them with Hope’s natural locks.
“What are you guys doing to my hair?” Hope asked.
She was met with a round of “shhh’s.”
After fastening the extensions, Cheri used a smoothing serum to soften Hope’s hair. She blended the fake and natural hair together as if she had been a hairdresser her entire life. The result was soft, bouncy curls. Hope looked as if she had been on a tropical vacation all week after Suzy applied the bronzer. Alex dabbed a smidgen of sparkles on Hope’s cheekbones and shoulders. Obviously satisfied, the three women grinned, stood back, and reached for their phones, each saying they wanted a photo.
“I want to see first,” Hope said.
“Just a minute,” Alex said, “I’m afraid you’ll cry and mess up my work.”
Suzy reached for Hope’s hand. “You’re a beautiful bride.”
After the women took several cellphone photos, they instructed Hope to turn around. Her mouth fell open. Nearly frozen from the shock of her image, Hope leaned toward the mirror. “That can’t be me.” She stared so hard she didn’t blink. “Is that me?” Hope touched her hair. “My hair is long and luxurious. I could be on a box of hair color. Tucker isn’t going to recognize me.” Her voice wobbled. “I’m-I’m almost hot.”
“You are hot. I’ve only told you that your entire life,” Alex said. “Now, maybe you’ll believe me.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s almost show time. Better put on your dress.” Suzy reached for the gown and held it for Hope to step into.
Hope beamed but stopped short. “I brought some Spanx.”
“Good girl. Put your undergarment on first,” Alex said.
Digging inside a pocket in her garment bag, Hope’s forehead creased. “I can’t find my Spanx. I thought I packed them.” She groaned. “I need the support.”
Alex chewed on her bottom lip. “I would only offer this to you—or any of you three girls—but no one else. Hope, you can wear mine unless that grosses you out, because you know it would gross me out. I don’t want them back, by the way.” Laughing, Alex hiked up her brown, form-fitting leather dress and began wriggling out of her Spanx.
“Found it.” Hope held the nylon girdle-like undergarment in the air. “But thanks, Alex. That was huge of you, my OCD friend.”
“Yes, it was.” Alex laughed. “Early wedding gift, I suppose.”
Hope finally stepped into her dress and Cheri buttoned the many covered buttons in the back. When Hope spun around, her friends gasped.
“You look drop-dead gorgeous, Hope,” Alex said.
“Let me see.” Hope hiked up her dress and stepped across the room toward a floor-length mirror. Her mouth gaped open. “I do look glamorous. I hardly recognize myself.”
“Tucker is a lucky man,” Suzy said. “Where’s your veil?”
“What would I do without you guys?” Hope retrieved the delicate, sheer veil with lacy edges. Cheri, who was already prepared with bobby pins, affixed it to her hair.
Checking her watch, Alex said, “We’d better get going or you’ll miss your own wedding.” She snorted. “Which is totally something I’d do.”
Suzy frowned. “Where can you stand so Tucker doesn’t see you before you walk down the aisle?”
“Yeah, who knew there would be a freaking blizzard today?” Alex brightened. “I know. The three of us can shield Hope at the back of the barn. It’ll be the girlfriend zone.”
“Perfect and exactly the way I want my wedding day.” Hope embraced her friends in a group hug. “Thank you for . . . everything.” She gasped. “I almost forgot something important.”
“To finish your margarita,” Alex said.
“My late mother’s pearls.” She fished for the velvet box in a zippered compartment of her garment bag. “I never knew her but”—Hope latched them behind her neck and patted the necklace—“she’ll be with me today.”
“That’s lovely, Hope.” Suzy turned to Cheri. “Is her bouquet in the fridge?”
Cheri rushed to the kitchen and returned with a bouquet of red roses, a boutonniere for Tucker, and a wristlet for Britney. “We all pitched in for your flowers.”
“You guys thought of every detail.” Hope’s eyes welled with tears. “You even remembered Britney. How can I ever repay you?”
Alex winked. “Easy. Stop the snow.”
Chapter 94
Surrounded by her friends at the back of the barn, Hope’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest as the wedding march began. Tucker hadn’t yet noticed her since he was at the front talking with the country minister, Rev. Jonah Culpepper, who was dressed in dark jeans, a white shirt, and a tweed jacket with elbow patches.
Once the music began, Suzy and Alex squeezed Hope’s hands, did air kisses, and scrambled to their seats.
Hope took several deep breaths. This is it. She admired the transformation of the barn before she walked down the aisle. Twinkling lights hung from the rafters and someone—likely Cheri—had scattered red rose petals down the aisle. Hay bales in three rows on either side were draped with white cloths. Two wooden poles at the makeshift altar were covered in filmy, white gauze and gathered in the middle with cascading holly branches and red berries.
Stomach doing summersaults, she smiled when she noticed Willow, Larry-Mac, and Paul standing, along with other Hilltop colleagues and her principal, Dr. Holmes.
Cole’s cowboy friends sat across the aisle, and Britney, smiling like a Jack-O-Lantern, waved from the first row. Alex, Suzy, Ken, and the squirming babies were behind her.
Cheri had agreed to take photos after saying she knew the perfect angles due to the paparazzi always crouching a few feet ahead of her in New York City. Cheri gave Hope a thumbs-up as she approached the guests.
As Hope stood at the back, Alex whispered to Suzy, “A minister with a mullet. Now, I’ve seen everything.”
Suzy shushed her as a smile twitched at her lips. “Actually, he’s cute. He has a young Billy Ray Cyrus vibe going on. Let’s watch.”
In time with the music, Hope steadied her gait and attempted to slow her heart rate with deep breaths. Once she locked eyes with Tucker, she immediately relaxed. He was all smiles and never took his eyes off her. As she got closer, she noticed the minister had a mullet and held a Bible in his hands. Hope bit her lip to keep from chuckling.
Her groom-to-be wore dark, creased jeans, a white shirt, and a brown leather vest. A red bandana poked out of the pocket and a white cowboy hat perched atop his head. Tucker had never looked more handsome.
Once she made it down the aisle—which seemed to take an eternity in the large barn—Tucker reached for her hand and mouthed, “You’re breathtaking.”
Hope squeezed his hand as the minister said, “Please take a seat, everyone. Let’s begin.”
As Rev. Culpepper performed the ceremony, Hope and Tucker faced one another and acted as though they were the only people in the room. The minister paused as Cole pressed a button on his iPhone. “I Do” by Paul Brandt filled the barn.
Hope and Tucker held hands as guests watched. When the song ended, Rev. Culpepper read the vows and asked Hope and Tucker to repeat after him. Tucker’s voice boomed but Hope had an almost inaudible whisper, voice catching, as she repeated the vows. When the minister asked them to exchange rings, Hope handed her bouquet to Britney in the front row, and struggled with Tucker’s wedding band. Her fingers trembled but she eventually managed to slide the ring on his finger.
Sniffling, both Alex and Suzy dabbed their eyes. One of the twins wailed, and Ken took the baby to the back of the barn. Cheri crouched near the bride and groom and zoomed in to get a close up of the ring ceremony.
Rev. Culpepper closed his Bible. “You may now kiss the bride.” Tucker carefully folded Hope’s veil back and pulled her close, softly pressing his lips against hers.
The minister said, “With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife.” He lifted his arms. “Everyone, I’m pleased to present Mr. and Mrs. Jensen.”
The small but mighty crowd erupted in cheers, whistles, and applause as Hope and Tucker faced them holding hands. Hope turned to her husband. “I want to skip and do a cartwheel. We’re actually married.”
“We sure are, Mrs. Jensen.” Winking, Tucker said, “Will you stay with me forever?”
“At least that long.”
The couple stepped back up the aisle and Tucker embraced Hope. “Whew. We did it.” He rubbed his belly. “I’m starving. When do we get to eat?”
Giggling, Hope said, “You’re the perfect match for me. I’m ravenous.” She spotted the chalkboard sign with the BBQ menu and pointed. “Look at this. Cheri outdid herself.” Sliding her arm around his waist, she beamed as friends gathered around them with hugs and high-fives.
Alex practically jumped up and down. “You’re married, Hope. Married. Can you believe it?”
“Nope, I sure didn’t think I’d be next. But don’t pinch me. If I’m dreaming, I don’t want to wake up.” Suzy hugged Hope, carefully avoiding squishing one of the twins between them. “You’re not dreaming, hon, your ceremony was exquisite.”
“Yes, it was beautiful—except for the damn snow,” Alex said.
Cheri held her camera in the air. “Actually, the snow’s a beautiful backdrop. Who doesn’t want a winter wonderland for a wedding?” She reached for Hope’s hand. “I got some great photos, by the way.”
Hope smoothed her poofy dress and touched her pearls. “Thank you for everything. This has been the perfect day. I couldn’t have done it without every one of you.”
The best friends joined in a group hug as Britney flung her arms around Hope’s back. “When are we going to eat, Miss Truman?”
Hope chuckled. “It’s Mrs. Jensen now, remember?”
Chapter 95
Everyone shuffled to get in the buffet line behind the bride and groom. With plates piled high—especially the cowboys and Tucker’s—wedding guests made their way to sawhorse tables covered in white linen. Cheri had rented white folding chairs for the food tables and had placed rustic holly and berries down the middle, creating a woodland country centerpiece. Hope and Tucker sat at a smaller head table accented with red bandanas, layers of tulle, greenery, and berries. Everyone chatted as they ate while “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis played softly in the background.
The babies seemed content to play with a rattle and Ken’s car keys. Alex made a face. “Those keys are probably filthy.” Rolling her eyes, Suzy tucked in beside Ken and Britney. She grinned. “They’re building their immune system.”
Cole and Cheri sat near the minister and Cole’s cowboy friends. Paul, Willow, Larry-Mac, and Dr. Holmes filled in the other side of the table. As guests were finishing up, Hope gathered the courage to stand. Tucker glanced in her direction. She mouthed, “Toast.”
Holding a shaky hand in the air, Hope swallowed past a lump in her throat. “I, uh, I’d like to make a toast. I’m terrible at this.” A nervous laugh escaped. “Not that I’ve made a wedding toast before.” Wide-eyed, she glanced at Tucker. “Are you supposed to go first? I don’t even know.”
Eyes twinkling, he said, “You’ll always be first in my life. Go ahead, honey.”
Holding her champagne flute in the air, Hope felt as though she might faint, leaned against the table, and pushed through. She faced Tucker. “To the first, best, and last man in my life”—her voice wobbled—“I-I never thought I could be this happy.” Sniffling, she added, “Thank you for coming into my life, Tucker. I love you.”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s sweet.” Alex raised her wineglass. “Here’s to many decades of wedded bliss—something I’ll never achieve but I’m happy for you, my friend. Best wishes for a happy forever. Just don’t forget about us at Coconuts.”
Suzy raised her glass. “Tucker, I think Alex got ahead of you. I believe it’s the groom’s turn.” Everyone roared. “But since I’m speaking, congratulations to the lovely bride and groom. Ken and I wish you the very best.”
Holding his flute, Tucker stood and reached for Hope with his free hand. “To my beautiful, smart, sweet, perfect bride. Thank you for making me the happiest man on
earth. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for our future together. I love you.” He turned toward Britney and winked. “And to you, young lady, thank you for making me the happiest dad on the planet.” Britney bobbed her head as she swiped a tear.
After the toasts and many kisses later, the room erupted in cheers.
“I’m gonna be sick if there’s any more lovey dovey talk,” Wyatt said.
“I need another drink,” Sawyer added.
“Ditto.” Alex joined the cowboys.
Cole made his way to his bar and filled drink orders while Cheri straightened red paper bandana napkins on the cake table. She shouted over the din. “Hey, everybody. After you have a cocktail, we’ll eat the cake.”
While sipping her chardonnay, Alex peeked outside at the snow-covered field, now several inches deep. She wrinkled her nose at the never-ending onslaught of snowflakes. “Do you think we’ll get stuck here?”
Sawyer said, “Hey, it could be fun as long as they have plenty of wine and beer.”
Alex raised her glass. “Maybe we can tell ghost stories later.”
Joining them in line, Hope obviously overheard and made a face.
Winking, Alex added, “Wedding ghost stories.”
“Much more romantic,” Hope said. Feeling a nervous pit in her stomach, for a split second, she wanted to confide in Alex that she was a virgin and this was going to be her inaugural night. Emphasis on was going to be her no-longer-a-virgin night. If this snowstorm didn’t stop, all of the guests might be sleeping together in Cole’s barn, meaning they’d have zero privacy. She winced at the thought of getting stranded on her wedding night. Studying her banker friend who appeared glued to the window, Hope decided to keep her virginity a secret.
Cheri clapped to get everyone’s attention. “Hey, everyone. Who wants cake?”
