Everyone from the bridal party had arrived except Audrey and Pearl.
Lydia had walked right past him and said not one word. He needed to intercept Pearl before it got out of hand.
He could see the dust kicked up from the road before he could hear the car. They’d both arrived in Audrey’s car.
Tyson watched as she parked and then held his breath as Pearl climbed out in her bridesmaid’sdress and her hair all done up.
She saw him immediately, and her brilliant smile took over.
“I did get you the right size,” she joked as she walked near him casually.
“Wow, Morgan, you do clean up,” Audrey added as she walked past them and into the house.
He scanned another look over her. “You look beautiful. Though I’m not sure that’s a good enough word.”
“I think it does the job.” She looked around. “What are you doing out here? I didn’t expect any alone time today,” she said with a wink.
“We have a problem.” He swallowed hard. “Lydia knows about us.”
Pearl’s shoulders dropped. “That’s why she’s not speaking to me.”
“You’ve seen her?”
“Seen her, yes. Talked to her, no. She ignored all of us this morning and…”
“Do you know what it’s like to feel as though you were stabbed in the back?” Lydia’s voice came from the doorway.
Pearl and Tyson looked toward her.
Pearl took a step in her direction. “Lydia, you have to understand.”
“I do understand,” she said curtly, stopping Pearl from advancing. “You both think so little of me that you’d go behind my back and sleep together. We’re partners.” She said looking directly at Pearl and then at Tyson. “And you’re my brother. I should have been able to trust your word. But it means nothing to you.”
“Lydia, you know that’s not true.”
“Do I?” She narrowed her eyes on Pearl. “I want to be bought out. I can’t have you as a partner, so I want out.”
Pearl’s eyes widened. “I can’t do that. I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Your lover does,” Lydia snapped.
Tyson stepped up to his sister. “We are going to stop this right now, and we will talk about it tomorrow. This is Eric and Susan’s day.”
“Fine.” She turned around and started for the house. “I assume that you’ll get married behind my back too? It would be fitting.”
“You’re getting married?” This time, it was Susan’s voice that came from behind them as she, her sister, and the photographer walked from the garden. Her eyes fixed on them and went wide. “You two? What did I miss? You’re getting married?”
Pearl shook her head. “Misunderstanding. That’s all.”
Susan moved closer to them, leaving her sister and photographer behind. “I don’t think so,” she said smiling. “How long has this been going on?”
“Nothing is going on,” Pearl said shifting a glance to Tyson.
Susan glanced his way as well. “Nah, something is going on.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The photographer had whisked Susan and Pearl away. Tyson stood alone again in the driveway contemplating what had just happened.
He didn’t like this side of his sister. He’d rarely seen it, so he didn’t quite know what to do with it either.
Tomorrow, they would all sit down and discuss what was going on. He wasn’t about to cause a family rift between him and his sister over some woman.
That hurt to think of her in that way. She wasn’t just some woman.
The door opened again and this time, Eric walked out to him. “You doing okay?”
“Yeah. Just have a lot on my mind. But it’s not my day, it’s yours.” He made sure there was a smile on his lips. “You ready for this?”
“I am. Never thought I’d say it, but I am.” Eric gave him a slight nod. “Are you?”
“For you to be married? Sure, why not?”
“I mean you.”
Tyson fought off the urge to stick his hands in his pockets, as Glenda had been very strict about that ruining the crispness of the tux. “What do you mean?”
“I hear you and Pearl are getting married. I didn’t even know you guys were seeing each other.” He leaned in. “She’s not pregnant is she?”
Tyson raked his fingers through his hair and sucked in a breath. “This is worse than high school.”
“She is?”
“No.” At least, he didn’t think so. “No. And no, we’re not getting married.”
“Susan’s sister was telling her mother that you were. And Bethany overheard and became very excited about it. Looks like you’re getting married.” He laughed and a moment later eased back. “But regardless of rumors, which I’ll put a stop to…”
“I’d appreciate that,” Tyson interrupted.
“You and Pearl?”
Tyson winced. It was out there now, and he saw no reason to deny it any longer. “Yeah. Me and Pearl.”
“That’s crazy. How long has that been going on?”
“Couple weeks. It’s hit or miss. Lydia disapproves.”
“Why? They’re partners.”
“That’s the problem. Mom’s track record of getting involved with business partners hasn’t been a good thing.”
“And now she’s marrying her banker?”
Tyson nodded. “Yeah, but she sold off her businesses so that she didn’t lose anything.”
Eric rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. “I fall in love, decide to marry a woman, and suddenly I’m totally out of the loop,” he laughed. “I think Lydia is a smart woman. She’ll accept it.”
Tyson shrugged. “She holds grudges. She hasn’t said a decent word to Phillip Smythe in fifteen years.”
“I’m out of the loop on that too. You might have to fill me in there. But I’ll do what I can to stop the rumors when I hear them. Bethany is a bit too excited for her own good I think.” He slapped Tyson on the back. “Maybe you’d better just consider getting married if you love her. It might be easier.” He chuckled to himself. “C’mon, we’re gathering for pictures,” he said as he walked back toward the house.
Tyson stood there for a moment longer. He certainly hadn’t meant to fall in love with a Walker, but he thought maybe that was just what he’d done. Now the thought of marriage was in his head. He wasn’t getting any younger, and he’d still like to have a family of his own someday. But Lydia’s feelings needed to be dealt with. He couldn’t hurt her like this. Family didn’t hurt one another.
She’d been hurt enough. He needed to settle it.
The tension was thick, Pearl thought, but there were smiles on everyone’s faces. Lydia was gracious and didn’t let on that there was a problem.
Bethany had discreetly pulled Pearl to the side to congratulate her on her marriage, but Pearl had corrected her.
“That’s too bad. I was very excited for you,” Bethany said as she touched Pearl’s arm. “Everything’s okay though?”
“Yes.”
“And you and Tyson?” she whispered.
Pearl didn’t have it in her to lie to her. Besides, when she heard the name she couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah. We’ve been seeing each other, though it’s become a problem.”
“I’m sorry.”
Pearl shrugged. “Nothing to get worked up over. It’ll work itself out.”
A moment later, Bethany turned the conversation to Susan and Eric. That was certainly a more comfortable topic and really what the day should be about.
The photographer had taken pictures of the wedding party and the garden had filled with guests. They were moments away from walking down the aisle and watching Eric and Susan tie the knot.
Pearl had excused herself to the restroom and checked herself in the mirror one last time.
“You can’t fix perfection,” Tyson’s voice came through the door.
She opened it and saw him leaned against the door jamb, a broad smile on his face. “You�
�re very sweet.”
He pushed open the door and stepped inside the room, closing it behind him. “I needed just a moment.”
“They’re going to start getting antsy.”
“Only one moment.” He cupped her face in his hands and gazed into her eyes. “I’m not very good at this. I’ve never been sentimental or able to express my feelings very well.”
“So far, so good,” she said, feeling her cheeks warm .
“Maybe it’s the wedding atmosphere, but I wanted you to know, despite my sister’s rejection of us, I really do like you.”
She laughed and took his hands in hers. “I really like you too.”
“I thought so. So maybe we’d better just use the right words.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “I love you.”
Her heart hitched right there, and she found it hard to breathe. “You do?”
His eyes were big. “You don’t feel the same way? I just did that for nothing?”
“No,” she chuckled. “No. I just didn’t think you felt that way. I’ve never had anyone feel that way about me.”
“You do now.”
She placed her hand over her heart. “I’ve been thinking about it the past few days and kept trying to talk myself out of it, but I feel the same way. But what about Lydia?”
“Lydia is a grown woman. We’ll all sit down tomorrow and figure this out.”
“Are you sure?”
“Today of all days, I’m most sure.”
Pearl pulled him in, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I guess if that’s how you feel about it, then I can tell you too. I love you.”
“Good. You were starting to worry me.” He nipped her lips with another soft kiss. “We’d better go.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Susan had been sucking back tears since her father had walked into the room, readied to walk her down the aisle. That had set off Bethany’s tears, and Pearl had then noticed Lydia as well. To extend an olive branch, she handed her a tissue.
“Thank you,” she said quickly as she dabbed at her eyes.
“You’re welcome.” She’d have taken it as an opportunity to work her into the first conversation all day, but it was time. They all lined up in the kitchen, ready to walk out to the garden.
As the music began, Lydia led the procession out to the altar. Pearl thought of how wonderful it was to be part of such an elegant wedding, which she’d had a hand it. It was what she lived for day in and out—helping make the perfect day for the bride.
Though, the moment she saw her cousins all lined up at the altar in their tuxedos, and not a baseball cap in sight, the tears tugged at her. This was what she did for a living. She made everything beautiful.
Of course, she’d seen Tyson already, and she couldn’t help but melt when she looked at him looking so perfect in that tuxedo. Her mind flashed to the day she took the chance to push the boundaries while measuring him for the tux. It had paid off. He loved her. He’d said the words to her.
He winked as she neared the altar and she swore his eyes were moist.
Would this be where they were headed in time? Would things work out for them?
But then she heard the soft sobs of Lydia to her side.
She glanced in her direction as the guests stood to honor Susan as she walked down the aisle.
How could she put Lydia through something like this? Her commitment was to her first and foremost. The flirtation with Tyson was supposed to be just for fun. She’d never thought it would escalate to where it had.
As Susan reached the altar, she pushed it all to the back of her mind. This day was for Susan and Eric. They were lovely together, and they deserved so much happiness.
Because it was her job to do so, Pearl noticed how perfect the dress fit Susan and how perfect the earrings were that she’d chosen as an accent. Audrey had used her magic touch to transform Susan’s hair into a masterpiece.
As the minister talked and Susan and Eric recited their vows, Pearl thought it was the perfect day for a wedding. She batted against the tears that threatened again as Susan and Eric kissed and were announced as man and wife.
When the intimate wedding was over, it was time to head toward town for the reception. Lydia had hurried out to be there before anyone else in the bridal party and assure her mother had everything under control. The reception was going to be much bigger than the wedding, and that was how Susan had wanted it. Lydia was determined she was going to get it.
Tyson took the opportunity to drive Pearl into town. It might be the only alone time they’d have all day.
It didn’t much matter now if anyone saw them. He had to laugh at how things came to be. Everyone had learned they’d been seeing each other. Then suddenly the rumor was they were getting married, and maybe Pearl was pregnant. As an adult, he found it humorous. Either way, their relationship was in the open. Perhaps he could dance with her at the reception and hold her hand in public.
He never thought it was going to matter, but today it did. Besides, having been submerged in the Walker family and now into a wedding, he was feeling a little sentimental. There were things on his mind that had never crossed it before.
As they drove to town, they held hands. Her thumb rubbed over his knuckles, and it brought peace and warmth to him he didn’t know existed.
“You’ll save me a dance, won’t you?” he asked, and she turned toward him.
“Of course.”
“I know my sister,” he began. “She won’t make a scene.”
“But she’ll be upset.”
His jaw ached from clenching it. “She’s already there. We’ve never had a fight we couldn’t talk our way out of. Tomorrow we will sit down and talk. The three of us.”
“I can’t help but feel as though this is my fault.”
He squeezed her hand. “You can’t feel like that. She’s in a place where her perfect world, and mine, was shaken not too long ago. She’s going on the assumption that everything will go wrong if we’re together because my mom got involved once with a man who nearly lost her everything. Not getting involved with partners is the safe way, she thinks. We just need to prove her wrong.”
“And how do we do that? We don’t know that this will work. This is new.”
“Is it?” He glanced her way and then back to the road. “I’ve had eyes on you for a long time.”
“Then why did we wait until now?”
He shrugged. “Got me. I guess we had to let it stew.”
She leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’ve never been one to have good timing.”
Tyson chuckled. Neither had he.
~*~
Pearl had thought she’d seen the Garden Room enough times, in its different stages, to know what to expect. She’d been wrong.
Lydia and her mother had outdone themselves for Susan and Eric’s wedding reception.
White lights had been strung among the vines that crept up the outer walls of the outdoor room. They shimmered as a waterfall kept a peaceful rhythm in the corner.
A string quartet played in the corner as the guests were served hors d'oeuvres and champagne by a wait staff in white coats.
“Oh, this is amazing,” Pearl marveled.
She watched Tyson take in the view and the smile of pride that permeated his face was priceless.
“They are good at what they do.”
“I’m going to find Bethany.” Without causing a scene of any kind, she gently rested her hand on his arm and squeezed.
Tyson stood, comfortably, out of sight. Most of the guests had arrived. They were awaiting the married couple.
“Your sister has the perfect touch for this,” his mother echoed Pearl’s earlier statement.
Tyson looked at his mother, who was observing everything that was going on, perfectly synchronized as if it had too been rehearsed.
“You did an excellent job. Susan and Eric are going to be very pleased.”
It was then she turned to him, and her eyes lost the sparkle
they’d had when she spoke of the venue. “You’ve hurt her, you know. Your sister is miserable.”
“I didn’t do this to hurt her.”
“You lied to her. You broke her trust.”
“And tomorrow I’ll fix it.”
“I think it might be too late. You have no idea what your lust has done.”
“Lust?” He sucked in a breath and then lowered his voice. “This isn’t lust. I love Pearl.”
His mother just nodded. “You think you know what love is? You’re willing to risk your sister’s trust in you with words like love?”
This wasn’t happening. Not now. “I said I’d fix this tomorrow. Today it’s about Eric and Susan.”
“And yesterday should have been about Lydia,” his mother acknowledged as she turned and walked away.
He pinched the bridge of his nose as a headache began to creep in.
So this was how it worked? He made one decision in his life, which wasn’t okayed or made by his mother or his grandfather, and everything falls apart?
He’d had enough of this family time. There was a reason he worked with animals and lived in the barn.
Just as he’d decided to sneak out and leave the wedding, Eric and Susan walked through the door to grand applause.
The guests were on their feet, and the wedding party was gathering near the cake. Pearl caught his eye and waved him over.
He didn’t want to be part of this anymore. He should never have been part of it, but for Eric, he stayed and joined the wedding party, which he now realized was sans his sister.
There was no time for escape, between the toast, which was made by Dane, and one by Susan’s sister. Then the couple’s first dance. The food was then served, and, of course, the cake.
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