by Barbara Gee
“Hey, Myla, hang on a sec.”
I went downstairs and met him in the hall. I pointed at my phone and mouthed “Myla.” He nodded and stayed quiet, dropping a quick kiss of greeting on the top of my head.
I hugged him, then stepped away and put the phone to my ear again. “Okay, I’m back. Yeah, um, I guess I did make a pretty important decision without your input.”
“Well, who is it? It’s gotta be someone I know—Hidden Creek is tiny.” She was genuinely excited and I hated to burst the bubble.
I looked at Jude for support and he moved behind me, putting his hands on my shoulders. I leaned back against him and told her.
“It’s Jude Keller.”
I could practically feel her shock. “Jude?” she finally said, her voice sounding small and strangled. “Wow, um, congrats. He’s a great guy.”
“I know you weren’t expecting that,” I said apologetically. “I hate that we haven’t been able to talk.”
“Hey, no sweat,” she said, sounding a little more in control. “And there’s no reason to beat around the bush. You’ve obviously figured out the connection. At least you chose him and not his brother.”
“I’m sorry to dump this on you all at once, but Myla, you have to come to the wedding. I know it’s selfish of me to ask, but I can’t get married without my best friend. It’s going to be really simple—we can do it during your leave if that helps.”
I heard her clear her throat, then she spoke again, her voice way too perky. She couldn’t fool me, but she was trying. “Of course I’ll come, as long as I can bring Derek. It’ll be a good chance for him to meet my family. How soon will you know the date?”
“I was waiting to hear from you, to see when it would suit you. How about the last weekend of your leave? That would be in, like, three-and-a-half weeks, right?”
“Wow, you guys aren’t messing around.” She paused. “That should work for me, but isn’t your mom going to have a fit if you don’t have a huge, fancy wedding befitting a Milton?”
“I’ve already told her it’s going to be here in Hidden Creek, very small, and in the very near future. She’s dealing with it.”
“Well, that’s good. Hey, I have to run. I need to call Mom next. I’ll check back in soon, okay?”
“Yeah, okay. Thanks, Myla. I can’t wait to hear about Derek.”
“I can’t wait to tell you. Bye, girlfriend. Talk soon.”
And she was gone.
Jude turned me around and put his arms around me. “Did that go a little too well?” he asked perceptively.
I nodded. “I took her completely by surprise, but she doesn’t want to rain on my parade.” I snuggled into him. “On a positive note, she said she’s dating a guy she met on her assignment. She seems excited about him, so maybe that’ll help.”
“Will she bring him to the wedding?”
“She said she is.”
I felt Jude exhale heavily. “I’d better break the news to JP.”
I propped my chin on his chest and looked up at him. “Do you think he’ll care?”
He nodded. “Not that he’d ever admit it.”
“I think he will, too,” I agreed. “I was hoping the wedding would force them to talk, but I doubt that’ll happen with Myla’s boyfriend along.
“Probably not.”
We were both silent with our thoughts for a while, hurting for the two people we loved.
“Back to a positive note,” Jude finally said, a smile in his voice. “Did you just set a date?”
I laughed. “I think I did. Three weekends from now, if that suits our families.”
“So, you’ll be Mrs. Keller in less than a month?”
“If plans hold,” I said, grinning at the thought.
“We’ll make ’em hold,” he drawled, before planting a very motivating kiss on my lips.
We spent most of the evening fleshing out those plans. I was determined to stick to my guns about keeping the wedding simple. I’d received no less than a dozen emails from my mother and sisters in the past couple of days, all of them giving “suggestions.” I’d read them, then deleted them. I’d never conformed to their idea of perfection before—why start now?
Jude and I both liked the idea of having the ceremony and reception at his house, in the big, beautiful backyard. We planned to have no more than eighty people there, and the yard was easily big enough to handle that number. We could put up a tent in the side yard for the reception, and if it rained, we could hold the ceremony there, too. Each of our pastors would have a part, and Jude had some friends who could do the music. Priscilla had already offered to organize the food, and I’d already accepted.
It was Jude’s and my idea of a perfect wedding, and I hoped my family wouldn’t turn up their noses. Even if they did, I wouldn’t let them ruin it for me.
After a while, we moved from discussing wedding details to talking about life after the wedding. Jude was very tactful, knowing how much Grandma’s house meant to me, but he admitted he’d rather live at his place. It was bigger and closer to his work, and he’d just spent months renovating it.
I pretended to be mightily torn, but I couldn’t keep it up for long. I finally punched his arm playfully and curled up against him.
“Of course we’ll live at your house, Jude. I never thought differently. I’d prefer not to sell this place, though. Maybe I’ll rent it out, if I can find someone I trust to treat it well.”
“There’s no rush. You can be choosy.” He grinned. “Or we can keep it as a vacation home.”
I giggled. “A vacation home thirty minutes from our real home. Nice.”
He shrugged. “It would make it easy to hang out with Chase and Hannah.”
“We’ll figure something out,” I said, giving him a fond smile. “Let’s just concentrate on getting married for now.”
“Gladly.” He effortlessly lifted me and put me on his lap so I was facing him, straddling his thighs. “No second thoughts?” he asked softly, his hands warm on my hips. “I appreciate you not making me endure a long engagement, but I don’t want you to feel rushed.”
I tilted my head and gave him a disbelieving look. “Are you serious? I feel like the next three-and-a-half weeks are going to crawl.”
He smiled. “I just want you to be sure. No doubts. Because if we say those vows, we grow old together. No outs. No excuses.”
I took his face in my hands and kissed each cheek. “I’m sure, Jude. So sure. One day, I’ll tell our kids how you swept me off my feet and had me walking down the aisle within four months.” I kissed his lips gently. “I’ll tell them I loved you so much I didn’t want to waste a single minute.”
He smiled slyly. “We could elope this weekend. Save some more of those precious minutes.”
“Hmm. Tempting. But that would disappoint our families too much.”
His lips curved into that slow smile and his hands moved up to my waist. “I do kinda want to see you walking up the aisle to me,” he admitted.
“I might run to you instead,” I told him, my eyes fixed on his. “I love you so much, Jude.”
His kiss told me he felt the same.
Epilogue
We’d been blessed with a beautiful, late-September day. The sun was shining, the slightest of breezes shifted the air, and the temperature was a perfect seventy-three.
Jude’s yard looked amazing. My original plans for a few simple flower arrangements had been altered pretty significantly when I’d enlisted Hannah to help with decorations and seating. Seeing the results, I was glad I’d given her free rein. There were plant pots of varying heights and shapes in a row all along the end of the yard, with a break in the middle for people to walk through to get to the rows of white chairs. Bright, lush, gorgeous flowers spilled from the pots, their colors breathtaking against the rich green lawn.
More flowers in quart jars hung from curlicues on steel rods that had been pushed into the ground at the end of every row of chairs. Enormous arrangements flanked the fr
ont where the wedding party would stand, and the bouquets that the bridesmaids and I would carry were breathtaking.
We were an hour and a half away from the start time, and I was anxiously awaiting Myla’s arrival. She’d texted a half hour ago and said she and Derek were getting close to Mountain View. They’d missed their flight yesterday, and thus hadn’t come to the rehearsal. I suspected the missed flight had been by design, but I wasn’t going to call her on it. I was just grateful she was coming at all.
Hannah and my mother were fussing with my dress, which was hanging from a hook Jude had mounted on the wall just for that purpose, but I was hardly aware of them. I pressed a hand to my stomach, trying to soothe the butterflies that were flying around in there at the thought of Myla coming face-to-face with JP.
I’d seen JP earlier, and he looked so very handsome in his gray suit and aqua blue tie—the same color as Hannah’s and Myla’s dresses. Even if Myla was madly in love with her new guy, seeing JP was going to hit her hard. I felt guilty for putting her through it, but I honestly couldn’t imagine getting married without her.
We’d talked a lot in the last few weeks, making plans and telling each other about our unexpected romances. But not once had JP’s name been mentioned, and the fact that she still couldn’t talk about him made me wonder if she was truly over him. Derek sounded like a really nice guy though, so….maybe.
I checked the time again, and right then Myla burst through the door of the upstairs bedroom we’d claimed as the girls’ dressing room.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so, so sorry to cut it so close,” she said, dumping all her stuff on the bed and laying out her dress bag before coming over to hug me. “You look stunning, Ava. Oh my word, this dress!” She went over to where my gown hung in the corner. “It’s even more gorgeous in real life. Facetime didn’t do it justice.”
She moved on to my mother, who accepted her hug a little stiffly. “Hey, Mrs. Milton. Can you believe your baby is ready to walk down the aisle?”
Before Mom could answer, I introduced Myla to Hannah, then Myla went into the bathroom for a shower, which she promised would be lightning quick but was very necessary, because traveling always made her feel dirty.
I tuned everyone out and went over to the window that looked out over the backyard. I could see the whole layout. The beautiful flowers, the rows of white chairs, and the area in the front where we would stand. JP had surprised us by building a beautiful wood and iron pergola, which Hannah had twined with floaty chiffon and more flowers. It was lovely and perfect.
I smiled, feeling jittery with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to walk to Jude and vow to love him forever. To feel his hands around mine and see the love I felt for him reflected back at me from his beautiful blue eyes. To begin our lives as husband and wife.
No doubts, Jude. Not a single one.
Hannah called out that it was time for my makeup, and I obediently went and sat in the designated chair, trusting that the girl Hannah had booked knew what she was doing. I told her I wanted to keep it light and natural, and she nodded and went to work.
My hair was already done, with only a few elegant braids among the waves to hold it back off my face. Jude had requested that I leave it loose rather than putting it up. He said if it was up in some elaborate style I wouldn’t look like myself, and he wanted to see me walking up the aisle, not an unnaturally formal and polished version of myself.
Myla soon emerged from the bathroom, wearing a soft white robe. The hairstylist motioned her over and immediately went to work on her long, thick, dark hair.
“Just a little curl, more of a spirally thing, please, nothing big and puffy,” Myla instructed.
I was relieved that she seemed in such a good mood. I knew part of it had to be forced, hiding her nervousness, but I also knew she was truly happy for me.
As soon as her hair was done, Myla took my place in the makeup chair, and then Hannah announced it was time for the two of them to get dressed so they could then help me with my dress.
The makeup girl and hairstylist began packing up their things, and I went to the window again. A few people were now seated on the chairs, and I couldn’t stop my wide grin. This was happening!
Myla came up beside me and twirled in her dress, causing me to squeal with delight. The aqua color was perfect with her dark hair, golden eyes, and her smooth, lightly tanned skin. It was hard to picture this fancy, gorgeous girl in army camo and boots, but I had no doubt she rocked that look, too.
“It’s perfect, Myla!” I exclaimed happily. “You look so beautiful.”
“I love the dress. Thanks for not making us wear big poofy things.”
“I’d never do that.” I gestured to the window. “Look. Can you believe how beautiful it is out there?”
She came and stood beside me, beaming when she saw the setup. “And the weather is perfect, too. What more could you ask for?”
I heard a door slam from downstairs, and then a group of guys walked out onto the lawn. I immediately looked for Jude, who wasn’t with them, but then I realized JP was. He strode up to the pergola, not even a hint of a limp left in his gait. He reached up to make an adjustment to a strip of chiffon, then tested the sturdiness of the leg nearest him.
I looked over at Myla. Her body was stiff, her eyes locked on JP. She followed his every move as he walked to each corner of the pergola, making sure the legs were all set firmly, then walked back over to the group. Someone said something that made them all laugh, and JP gave Chase a light shove.
I felt Myla’s fingers close around my wrist like a vice.
“I can’t do this, Ava. I thought I could, but I can’t.” Her face was pale, her eyes wide and stricken.
I put my hand on her shoulder and smiled gently.
“Yes, you can, Myla,” I said softly. “You can, and you need to. JP Keller has controlled your life for long enough. Your unfinished business with him has kept you away from friends and family who love you, and it’s going to end.”
She started shaking her head, but I reached up and grabbed her chin. “You’re going to walk down that aisle with your head held high, and when it’s over, you’re going to take JP’s arm and walk out with a smile on your face. Because you’re strong, and it’s time you stop running and show that.”
I gave her my sternest look. “It’s time, Myla. We both know it. Stop giving him the power to control you even when you’re thousands of miles apart.”
Myla closed her eyes. “I don’t want to give him that control, but I can’t seem to help it.”
“It’s kept you away for too long,” I told her gently.
She nodded. “Driving through Hidden Creek just now—it made me realize how much I’ve missed it.” She swallowed hard. “I have until the end of next week to extend my enlistment for another four years. I was going to do it, because I’m really good at my job, and what else would I do, you know? But now I’m not sure. I want to come home, but I don’t think I can live in the same town as JP. Not even after all these years.”
I hugged her. “We’ll figure it out.”
She turned away from the window and smoothed her hair back with a trembling hand. “I’m so tired of hating him, but I don’t know how to stop,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That part of my heart—it’s dead. He killed it.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s not dead, it just needs CPR. Maybe Derek can take care of that, if you truly give him the chance. But first, you need to purge JP. I think you should talk to him.”
I felt a little guilty saying that, because even though I’d mentioned Derek, deep down I still felt there was a chance that Myla and JP were meant to be together, just as Jude and I were. I knew I couldn’t give a hint of that, however. I didn’t want to face Myla’s wrath.
She straightened her spine and I saw a little bit of a spark come back into her lovely eyes.
“I’m all for purging JP, believe me.” She forced a grin. “For now, though, all that matters is your beautiful wedding
. This is your day, Ava, and I’m not going to ruin it. I’m going to go down there and own that lawn as your maid of honor. Then I’m going to dance the night away with my handsome boyfriend. I might talk to JP and I might not, but I don’t want you to worry about it either way. You have more important things to think about.”
I hugged her again, tighter than before. “And this is why I had to have you here. I couldn’t get married without you, Myla, I just couldn’t.”
She chuckled. “Just don’ t ever doubt my loyalty to you, Ava Ann Milton. There’s no one else in the world I would face that man for.”
***
It was almost time. Everyone was outside waiting, except for Hannah, Myla, and me. We were huddled at the back door, awaiting our cue, still giggling at how my heel had caught on the bottom step and nearly sent me sprawling in all my wedding-gowned glory. I’d managed to stay upright, but only with much dancing and arm waving, and the other two had witnessed the whole thing.
“Okay, Priscilla is waving us out!” Hannah said excitedly. “Let’s do this thing. Love you, Ava!” And then she was out the door, walking sedately across the lawn as Jude’s friends played a beautiful song on violin and cello.
Myla looked at me, once again fighting the fear. “I’ve got this,” she said. “Don’t worry about me. You’re marrying the love of your life today, and I couldn’t be any happier for you.”
And then she whirled around and walked out, her spine straight, shoulders thrown back confidently. I’d never loved her more than I did in that moment.
Now it was my turn. My father was waiting for me just outside the door. I’d go out and take his arm, and then I’d walk down the aisle and take Jude’s, to love and be loved by him forever.
I went outside eagerly, beaming up at my dad, who looked happy and maybe even a little nervous. I took his arm and watched Priscilla, waiting to be beckoned over to the opening in the flower pots, where I would begin my walk to Jude. She waited for Myla to take her place up front and for the musicians to begin the processional piece, then waved us over.
