“Sounds great,” Thayde said.
“Huh?”
I heard what you thought. Thayde’s voice was clear as a bell in my mind.
“Is that supposed to happen?” My face must have mirrored my feelings because he began to laugh.
“When you’ve finished cording it is. Why do you look so shocked?”
“I’m just not used to anyone but Tammer doing it.” I snuggled my face into Thayde’s neck, wrapping my arms around him, breathing him in. “It could prove to be very useful,” I admitted.
You’re the love of my life, he thought.
I answered him with a deep, passionate kiss.
Oh man! You keep this up and I’m not going to be able to stop at just the kiss!
Stop thinking and just kiss me.
Epilogue
“What a gift of grace to be able to take the chaos from
within and from it create some semblance of order.”
- Katherine Paterson
“You know honey – you keep shaking like that and this lipstick’s gonna end up in your ear.”
Juan the Stylist shook the end of the lipstick container at me and reached forward, planting his hand on my head to hold me still.
“I can’t help it,” I cried, “this is so much better than getting married at City Hall.”
“Mm-hmm, you got that right.”
“Everyone’s here and we’re leaving for Tahiti tomorrow!”
“I know,”
“We’ve never taken a trip like this before. I’m so excited!”
“Mm-hmm, hold still!” Juan hissed like a cobra and I froze. “Mmmm – perfect!” He stood back, giving me the once over. “And that is why they pay me the big bucks, honey.” In his excitement, he turned my seat to face the mirror so quickly I nearly fell off.
Juan was simply a genius. I didn’t think it possible for me to look any better than I had the first time he’d done my hair and makeup. This time, he’d outdone himself.
“I wanna hear it!” He said into my ear.
“You’re fabulous,” I stuttered.
“Amen to that!” He cried, pulling me to my feet. “Totally worth flying me in, wouldn’t you say?”
I gave him a huge hug and he patted me lightly on the back.
“Thank you, Juan,” I said, “for making me amazing!”
“Oh honey, anytime. You know that! Now go away and let me get ready.”
Moving aside, I took a long look in the full length mirror. Beside the hair and makeup being as perfect as it could be, I looked strong and confident. Happy - the blushing bride. Before, I had been in a rush to get married and send Thayde to what I thought would be his certain doom. This time, we could relax and enjoy our wedding, surrounded by family and friends.
We were getting married on the cliff just above the cabin, overlooking the McCall Payette Lake. Ezen and Tiesa had flown in along with a multitude of Tammer and Mom’s friends. The plan was to get married again, head to the beautifully decorated Pancake and Christmas House for our reception, and leave for Boise that night. Our flight to Tahiti and Moorea was scheduled bright and early the next morning.
Juan pulled on a bright pink jacket and adjusted the lily in his lapel. “Tammer’s here.” He mumbled, fidgeting with the petals on the lily.
Tammer sheepishly entered the room.
“Just watching you,” he admitted and reached for my hand. “You look lovely. Thank you for doing this.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“It means the world to your mother and me.”
I nodded. “I know. It would have been nice to have had Dad here to see it too.”
“He’s here in spirit,” he said and squeezed my hand.
“Are we ready?” Jacob stuck his head in the doorway, adjusting his pastor’s collar. “Everyone’s probably getting antsy by now.” Juan reached up, straightening it for him.
Tammer read my mind. “Oh, she’s more than ready,” he grinned. “You’re going to have many more happy days like this, Morgan. I’m so happy you found the love of your life.” He pulled me into a bear hug, nearly pulling me off my feet.
“You ready?” He asked.
I nodded - I’d marry Thayde a hundred times if I could.
“Let’s do it!”
Fathom Page 17
