She gripped the paper and pulled it back. “She signed them?”
“Yes. I called her after I left your place last night. You were so depressed about all of it, I had to do something. She said she was leaving town for a month, but if I met her near the airport this morning, she’d hand off the papers. I thought it would be quick and easy. I didn’t think…” Maybe now wasn’t the best time to tell her how close Victoria came to not signing off on all rights to Lori.
Hailey’s silver fingernails reappeared. “We promised each other we wouldn’t keep secrets.”
“I’d never do that, honey. I just wanted to surprise you.”
“What did she say?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does to me. I need to know what happened between the two of you today.”
Nate’s gut twisted. He could understand her being upset about him seeing an ex on their wedding day, but he never thought she doubted his love or the strength of his commitment to her. “You don’t trust me?”
“I do. I know you will always do what is best for your daughter.”
Nate’s chin dropped. He knew Hailey admired the way he’d cared for Lori—put her before anything else in his life. He couldn’t be angry at her, because he knew she wouldn’t expect him to be any different. What did hurt, was she let her fear rule her. He gripped her hand and fought the urge to push the door open. “I’m here. Nothing would keep me away.”
Her reach extended, and he followed his gut, stepping closer to the door until her touch grazed his cheek. When it did, she whispered his name.
“Never once—not even for a second—did I want anything more than her signature. I did this for Lori, and I did this for you. My two girls deserve the peace of mind those papers give you. You are the one who has loved and cared for our daughter.”
“Our?”
“As soon as we get back from the honeymoon, you can have your friend finish filing the papers. I mean, we’re still getting married, right?”
“Of course.”
Maybe all Hailey needed to know was what he’d already said, but he couldn’t break the vow they’d already made. No secrets. No omissions. “Nothing unspoken?”
“Nothing.”
He leaned against the door and steeled his nerves. “It wasn’t as easy for her to sign the papers as I thought it would be.”
Her heard Hailey inhale sharply and wanted to round the door and pull her into his embrace. His promises to Rhonda and his daughter held him back.
“Do you think she’ll change her mind?”
“No. I don’t. After Lori called me, and after I showed her pictures of the two of you together, she said it was evident that Lori loved you. She confidently signed them, saying you would be the mother she could never be.”
“How can you be sure she won’t decide she wants her back in a week, a month, or a decade from now?”
He gripped her hand and brought it to his mouth. “Once she made her decision, she picked up her latte, walked out of the coffee shop, and drove off. Once Victoria makes a choice, it’s a done deal.”
“Daddy!”
Nate turned to see Lori running down the hall.
“Rhonda says you have to get pictures taken now!”
“Okay. Okay.” He twisted to the door. “I love you, Hailey.”
“I love you too, baby.”
“You didn’t look at her, did you!” Lori said.
He dropped to a knee. “I promised you I wouldn’t. Don’t I always keep my promises?”
She nodded. “I just don’t w-w-want any b-b-bad luck.”
“Can’t happen.” He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. “I know what you, Hailey, and I have is a lot stronger than any ol’ bad luck.”
Her eyes widened. “What is it?”
“Family. We love each other. Right?”
“Uh-huh.”
Nate spoke louder to make sure Hailey could hear. “Is it okay to tell her?”
“Of course. She should know.”
He guided Lori to sit on his knee. “Remember when you asked me if it was okay to call Hailey mom?”
She nodded. “You said I had to wait until you got paperwork from the lady who grew me in her belly.”
Hailey’s voice came from the other side of the door. “Your daddy picked the papers up this morning.”
He wouldn’t have thought it possible, but Lori’s smile widened even more. “Really? Hailey is going to be my mommy!”
“She is.”
Lori jumped off his knee and went to the door, pressing both hands to the wood. “Can I call you mommy now?”
“Of course.” He could hear tears in Hailey’s voice again, but knew this time they were joyful ones.
Rhonda and Jake came down the hall. “Nate! Time to get dressed. You’ve totally ruined my whole schedule, but maybe we can salvage it if you get moving right now.”
“Okay,” He sighed. “I’ll see you at the altar, baby.”
“See you at the altar.”
Chapter Eight
Hailey stood to slight left of the closed doors to the sanctuary, her brother at her side. She couldn’t take her gaze off her daughter, as Anna and Kelly fiddled with Lori’s hair, making sure every curl was in place. “Are you ready, honey?”
Lori looked up and smiled warmly. “I’m ready, Mommy.”
Swallowing the tears pressing against her throat, she motioned to her sister. “That one piece.”
Kelly tucked the strand behind Lori’s ear, and fiddled with the bobby pin until it was secure.
“Am I ready?” Lori asked.
“You sure are!”
Rhonda reached to open the door and signal the pianist, but the door to the front of the church opened, allowing a gust of wind to sweep through the vestibule.
Hailey turned to see Betty Crawford with her son, Ben, two steps behind. Betty owned Sunnydale Farms—where Anna worked and Lori was enrolled in the hippotherapy program. Betty paused in front of Hailey. “Oh my. Such a beautiful bride. Sorry we’re running late.”
Hailey took the woman’s hand. “I’m just glad you made it.”
“Look at me, Miss Betty!” Lori called out.
The older woman laughed and paused in front of Lori. “You are so pretty!”
“Thank you. I’m dressed just like my mommy!”
Betty’s glance moved between the two of them. “I see that.”
Rhonda opened the door, so the Crawfords could enter the church.
Hailey noticed Ben’s stare lingered on Anna. As they passed her, he leaned in close. “You clean up well.”
Anna nodded and whispered something back Hailey didn’t quite catch. As he entered the church, Anna’s cheek’s flushed.
After the music started and Rhonda sent Lori down the aisle, Hailey met Anna’s gaze. “Should I be aiming the bouquet your way later?”
The pink on Anna’s cheeks deepened to crimson. “Hush! We work together. He and his mother are my employers. That’s it.” Anna then took her cue from Rhonda and started down the aisle.
Jake squeezed Hailey’s arm. “Are you ready for this?”
“Absolutely.”
“No doubts?”
“None.”
Kelly took her cue and started down the aisle next. Rhonda took her place in the doorway. She plastered a bright smile on her face but spoke to Hailey through her clenched teeth. “When the music changes, move into position in the doorway. Let the photographer take a few pictures before you start moving. Jake, make sure her train stays straight and flat.”
“I couldn’t have pulled this off without you, Rhonda. Thank you.”
“Hush. No crying until pictures are over.”
****
Nate met Rhonda’s eyes and smiled warmly. They’d had a few run-ins over the last year—mostly in the beginning when Rhonda advocated for Hailey to stay in New York and pursue her career. The moment Hailey had made it clear she was moving home, Rhonda had become their biggest champion.
/> Within minutes of his proposal the previous June, she’d stepped into the role of wedding planner and dress designer. She’d made all the wedding party dresses and his mother’s. She also commissioned a friend of hers to design and tailor the tuxes for the men.
The outcome was beautiful.
As she approached the alter, he stepped forward and hugged the woman’s neck, kissing her cheek. He had to laugh when Rhonda fanned her face, presumably to keep tears at bay.
The pianist paused and switched to Pachebel’s Canon in D Major. Nate inhaled sharply and centered himself. He’d been told over and over that Lori’s dress was a near replica of Hailey’s and had been trying to picture his bride-to-be since seeing Lori when he arrived.
Nothing prepared him for what he saw when she stepped into the doorway on her brother’s arm.
His eyes locked on hers, and his knees went weak. A common reaction to seeing Hailey since she’d stolen his heart nearly a decade ago. She always left him defenseless. But never like this.
The dress was fitted at the waist, but the skirt flowed out—like a ball gown—into layers of silk and tulle. The bodice was made of similar layers that evolved into lace around her shoulders and neckline, fitting her body in an elegant way.
Tears sprang to his eyes as he stepped forward to meet her and her brother.
Jake took Nate’s hand and guided it to Hailey’s elbow. He spoke to Nate—words sure to be important but indistinct and far away.
Nate reached out and grazed Hailey’s cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”
Not so bad yourself, she mouthed. I love you.
Hailey handed her bouquet over to Rhonda and stepped toward the altar, taking Nate’s hands.
As the minister began to speak, Nate knew he should be focusing on the timeless words—the meaning of the vows, the sanctity of marriage—but it all seem muted.
Somehow, he was able to key in when he was asked to repeat his vows. Unlike when they rehearsed, this time the promises he made to her came from deep within and branded themselves to his heart. By the time he spoke in sickness and in health he heard his voice crack.
The precise moment Hailey began to speak, a single tear rolled down her left cheek. Miraculously, not bringing a bit of her mascara or eyeliner with it. Her stare never broke from his as she spoke the words clearly.
It took everything in him to restrain himself from kissing her until after they’d placed the rings on each other’s fingers and had been given permission by the minister.
The church erupted in applause—no one in the congregation aware of what had nearly stood in their way today—and the pianist began playing once again.
Hailey turned behind her and reached for Lori’s hand. “Come on, honey.”
Lori eagerly skipped forward, squeezing between Hailey and her father and taking their hands before nearly pulling them back down the aisle. “It’s time for the party right?”
“Yes. It’s time to party.” Nate met his bride’s gaze, knowing the decade long wait and everything he’d done today had been worth it. Moving forward, they’d be the partners they were destined to be and the family his daughter had longed for.
About the Author
Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, and four canine kids where she writes contemporary romance novels and paranormal romance novels.
When not writing stories of finding and rediscovering love, Constance and her husband spend the hours planning a cross-country motorcycle trip for the not-so-distant future…if they can find a sidecar big enough for the pups.
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Acknowledgements
Thank you first and foremost to my readers. Without you, these stories would be tales I spin for my own amusement. I love nothing more than hearing what you think, I hope you will consider leaving a review.
Thank you to my family, for putting up with the characters in my head and the times I disappear to put words on the page.
Thank you to my cover artist, Aileen Harkwood.
Thank you to my editor, Gilly Wright. You are awesome!
Save the Date
Upcoming Weddings
Ben and Anna (Sunnydale Weddings Book Two) (All That’s Unclaimed)
Rhonda and Trevor (Sunnydale Weddings Book Three) (All That’s Unrealized)
Sam and Betty (Sunnydale Weddings Book Four) (All That’s Unforgiven)
Eli and Marilynn (Sunnydale Weddings Book Five) (All That’s Unforeseen)
Leo and River (Sunnydale Weddings Book Six) (Lone Star Burn: Lone Star Leave)
Brian and Charlene (Sunnydale Weddings Book Seven) (Fire and Ice, Hunks to the Rescue)
Other Books By Constance Phillips
FAIRYPROOF SERIES
Fairyproof
Council Courtship (Novella)
Chasing Power
SUNNYDALE DAYS SERIES
All That’s Unspoken
All That’s Unclaimed
All That’s Unrealized
All That’s Unforgiven
All That’s Unforeseen
ANTHOLOGY
One Lucky Night (Lexi’s Chance)
SINGLE TITLE BOOKS
Resurrecting Harry
The Ultimate Catch
Lexi’s Chance (Novella)
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HOTEL PARANORMAL
Refused to Reign
KINDLE WORLD
Lone Star Burn: Lone Star Leave
Royals of Monterra: Royal Holiday
Chapter One From All That’s Unspoken
The squeak of the barn door rolling down the metal rail cut through the silence of the night air. It wasn’t as heavy as Hailey remembered, but then again her fondest memories of the barn were from when she was a lot younger.
Her cousin Rhonda laughed as she walked past her then went straight to the light switches, flipping them on. “Quiet or we’re going to get caught.”
“I think we’re old enough to be in the barn after dark.” Hailey pushed the door closed to block the biting wind. Still, it slammed against the walls, causing the aging building to moan and creak in protest, mimicking the mood of her heart as she remembered the events of the last year.
“Think fast!” Rhonda pulled a beer can from the pocket of her coat and then tossed it in Hailey’s direction. “Uncle Bill isn’t going to ground us for sneaking beer?”
Hailey looked at the label a moment before cracking it open. A rush of memories accompanied the sound and scent. “What were we? Sixteen?”
“I think so. Wasn’t that the summer after my family moved to Saginaw? Your mom and Dad let me come and stay with you for a couple of weeks.”
“Thanks for coming out here with me. I needed a break from all the holiday cheer,”
Rhonda hoisted herself up on the gate separating the barn aisle from the open arena, straddling it as if it was a horse.
Hailey leaned against one of the stall doors, and raised the can toward her cousin. “Merry Christmas.” She then took a long sip before continuing. “Jake and Kelly think Dad needs to be put in a nursing home, you know. They’ve been trying to nail me down to ‘talk about it’ since I got home yesterday morning.”
&
nbsp; Rhonda exhaled and slid back on the top of the gate until she was leaning against the wall. “I thought he was fine at dinner, a little tired maybe, but aren’t we all? My mom says he has moments, though.”
“That’s what they say too. I haven’t seen any signs.”
“On the drive up here Mom was saying she feels like she owes it to her sister to help Kelly, Jake, and you care for him.”
Everyone in the family had mourned her mother together, but sometimes Hailey became absorbed in her grief and lost sight of the fact that Rhonda had lost an aunt and her mother had lost her sister. “She agrees with them, then?”
Rhonda’s gaze dropped to the barn floor. “I’m so sorry. This has got to be destroying you.”
Hailey took another long draw from the beer. “I know Dad’s taken Mom’s death really hard, but I haven’t seen anything that says diminished capacity. It can’t be dementia. Can it? He’s not that old.”
Rhonda let her foot sway back and forth. The heel of her boot occasionally clipped the metal of the gate sounding like an old church bell. The look on her face was one of empathy, but she had no words.
Hailey understood though, even took solace in the silent support of her cousin and best friend. “It is a lot on Kelly and Jake to care for him. Maybe it’d be easier on everybody if I moved home.”
“No one expects you to abandon the life you’ve made for yourself in the city.”
“What life? It’s been six weeks since I lost my job, and none of my interviews have panned out. Seems like perfect timing to me.”
“The holidays are a really bad time to be looking for a job. You’ll get an offer right after the first of the year. I’m sure of it.”
Hailey shrugged and set the beer can on the ground. She then stepped up on the bottom rail of the gate, and gripped the top rail, flexing her body and stretching out her back as she used to do when she was younger.
Rhonda began laughing again. “Do not get this thing swinging while I’m sitting on it.”
“What’s wrong with you? We used do this all the time. Are you too old now?”
Nate and Hailey: The Sunnydale Weddings Page 4
