“I guess I just never explained it that way before,” I said, shrugging.
He kissed the top of my head once more, “Then pumpkin cake it is. Loran you can mark cake off the list.”
Carleigh walked into the living room with Jerad by her side.
“What happened to your hair?” I asked, surprised it looked like a rat’s nest.
“Your son,” she replied flatly as she flopped on the couch beside me.
“What were y’all playing?” asked Bentley, “We could hear him squealing with laughter since supper.”
“A little of this and a little of that. Make a tower, pile on top of Auntie Carleigh to tickle her to death, hide and seek…” Jerad rattled off the list of activities.
“Which we might have played a little too long because we found him in the hamper, sound asleep.” Carleigh said, letting Jerad snuggle in beside her from the arm of the couch.
“Did you put his pajamas on, brush his teeth, and change his diaper?” Bentley asked, getting up to do that.
“Were we supposed to do that?” teased Carleigh.
“It’s okay, I’ll go and change his diaper at least.” Bentley started to get up.
“I’m kidding Bentley, we made sure all of that was done before we played hide and seek.” She pointed to Jerad’s shirt, “See, he even missed the sink and spit toothpaste on his shirt.”
“Thanks guys,” Bentley said settling back into the couch.
“He’s fun, Bentley. I understand why Carleigh always talks about him when I can’t make it out,” Jerad offered.
“That he is,” Bentley agreed.
“Let’s get back to wedding planning, people,” Loran said tapping the table.
“You in a hurry?” Travis teased.
“Actually we kinda are,” Curtis said.
“Got something more important than planning my wedding?” Bentley joked.
“We decided to start trying to have a baby.”
All of us girls started screaming and congratulating Loran.
“Calm your asses down, women, and bring the crazy back in. Don’t get so carried away, nothing has even happened yet.” Curtis waved around before wrapping his arms around his wife.
I swatted his arm, “Shut up, Curtis, this is exciting.”
Loran put up her hands, “Thank you, we’re pretty excited too, hopefully it doesn’t take too long to get pregnant.”
“Let’s get back to wedding planning, shall we?” Curtis suggested, as if he couldn’t get out of here fast enough. I laughed to myself, knowing it was exactly the case.
“Dresses are done, tuxes or whatever are done, justice of the peace is done, food is done, and the location—is it still at the Wells’ Ranch?”
“Yes,” I confirmed.
“Good another thing to cross off. Next is photographer,” Loran continued.
“I think you should use Netty’s Photography. Her price is a little higher, but her pictures always turn out amazing,” Whitney suggested.
“I’m with Whitney. She took my girlfriend’s wedding pictures last summer, and they were astounding. I just wish she hadn’t been booked so we could have used her for our wedding,” agreed Loran.
“You think we could get her?” I asked.
“It’s early enough in the wedding season, I don’t think you should have too much of an issue. I have her contact information at home. I’ll send her an email and include you in it tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks, Loran.”
“You and Bentley need to go to the courthouse a week before the wedding and apply to get your marriage license.”
“Okay,” Bentley said, entering the info into his phone and set a reminder.
“Looks like that’s it for the main stuff, now we just need to decide on invitations, decorations, and if y’all are having a dance?”
“I decided I am going to design and print off the wedding invitations here at home, and then have my classroom kids put them together with glue, add a ribbon and put a few gems on it.”
“That’s nice,” Carleigh said.
“It’s not every day your teacher gets married. I thought it was a fun, simple way they could all be a part of it.”
“Are you guys wanting a dance?”
“Yes,” Bentley answered before me. “I want to dance with my wife.”
“I guess we’re having a dance,” I shrugged. “In fact, I already talked to Mike, and since he does all the audio for the school assemblies, he said we could probably borrow the school’s sound system, and he’d run the music for us.”
“Great.”
“Yeah, we just need to make sure we give him a copy of the songs we want to start the dance off with.”
“Do you know what they are already?” asked Whitney.
“I’m not telling anyone what I pick. I’ll give them to Mike closer to the date when I know for sure,” Bentley said.
“Have you been working on this behind my back?” I asked him teasingly.
“Oh my God, you have no idea what I have gone through these last few weeks, listening to this song, downloading that song, going back to first song and repeating the second song. Honestly, at this point, Haley, I’m willing to play anything just to get Bentley to make a frickin’ decision already,” Travis huffed out his explanation.
Bentley threw a bridal magazine at his brother. “Shut up, you little fucker, I want it to be perfect.”
I held Bentley’s face. “Knowing you put this much thought into our first dance, it can be any song, and I’d think it’s perfect. Thank you.”
Bentley leaned down and pecked my lips. “You’re welcome.”
“Okay, then I guess the last thing that needs to be discussed is the decorations.” Whitney said, looking over Loran’s shoulder at the papers.
“I was thinking of getting married in the middle of Grams’ flower garden. It has that stone center that will be big enough for twenty chairs, plus all of us standing.”
“Would you guys like an arch? Because I can make that for you,” offered Curtis.
“Really?” I asked.
“I was thinking we could decorate it in woven tulle and add some flowers to it that match the ones in the garden,” Loran added.
“I like the sound of that,” Bentley chimed in.
I closed my eyes and pictured what everything would look like with Grams’ flowers all around us as we stood under the arch. “I think it will be perfect, Curtis, thank you.”
“Speaking of flowers, have you given any thought to the bouquets you want?” wondered Carleigh.
“I’m thinking of just getting some flowers from Costco and making them myself.”
“Let’s get those made. My parents want to help in some way, and I think that’s a good contribution for them,” Bentley suggested.
I had to agree; Charlotte has mentioned it more than once. I smiled at him. “I’ll see when Charlotte is free to go to the flower shop then.”
“Where are you getting your chairs and tables from?” asked Travis.
“I was thinking of asking the senior center if we could rent their round tables and chairs for the day,” I said.
“Are you dressing them with anything?” asked Whitney.
“I’m not sure, I haven’t really given it much thought.”
“I think you should rent some linens from the same place Loran and I did. They were easy to work with, and the final price wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.”
“I’m thinking we really only need to rent five round tables and three long ones with thirty chairs,” said Bentley.
“I think we should cover them with white linens, and accent the chairs with grey ribbon, and the round tables with bright warm colors like orange, teal, purple, pink, and green, but leave the food tables with just the white table cloths. Maggie said we don’t need to rent any dishes, silverware or wine glasses. She has new ones at the diner we can use.”
“Haley, this is the most excitement we’ve seen from you since you two go
t engaged,” Whitney laughed.
“I know, I think all of a sudden it just hit me—I’m getting married!”
Everyone laughed.
“Mama funny?” Emerson asked walking into the living room.
“Sorry, bud, did we wake you with our laughing?” Travis asked as he picked him up.
“Story?”
“Sure, Uncle Travis would love to read you a bedtime story. Let’s get tucked back into bed. Say goodnight to everyone, Emerson.”
“Bye.”
I got up and kissed his chubby cheeks, “I love you.”
Emerson wiggled in Travis’s arms to give me a hug.
I watched as Travis and Emerson went down the hallway, probably talking about tractors and cows.
“I think Travis really missed him,” Bentley said behind me.
“You guys have no idea,” Whitney replied.
Curtis and Loran stood, “Since most everything has been taken care of I think Loran and I are going to head home.”
Curtis and Bentley did their man hug before he walked them to the door.
“After Haley emails about the rentals we need, and she hears back from them, we can come back and finish the rest of the tiny details.” Carleigh said, grabbing Jerad’s hand as she stood. “I’m getting tired, I think we’re off to bed; see you guys in the morning.”
“You still want to go four-by-fouring in the morning?” Bentley asked Jerad.
“Yeah!” he answered enthusiastically.
“We’ll head out after breakfast then.”
“Sounds good to me. We can cook, and the girls can clean up when we leave.”
Bentley went outside to clean off the back patio while Whitney and I tidied the living room.
MY HAIR AND makeup are done, and I just finished getting into my dress. Standing in my grandparent’s room, I looked out the window, watching everything happen below.
Grams has out done herself planting spring blooming flowers; she even transplanted a few potted flowers to make sure there was a bit more green foliage. Travis did an excellent job cleaning the brick tiles leading to the arch Curtis built. I cried when he brought it over yesterday; he did a stunning job. He even carved our initials inside a heart.
No one had an issue when I called about renting the tables, chairs, and linens, which made the process so easy. The chairs were set up with the white covers on them and beautiful grey sashes tied around them with big bows on the backs.
I couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle to Bentley. It felt like I had been waiting for this moment forever.
I tuned to the door when I heard a faint knock. “Come in.”
The door opened slowly and revealed Maggie with a small box in her hand. “I hope I’m not interrupting, or anything, but I was hoping I could give you your something borrowed.”
She walked in and closed the door behind her. She opened the box and showed me what was inside, taking my breath away. I reached out and let my fingers touch the beautiful broach. “It was my mother’s. My grandma gave it to her, my mom gave it to me, and now I would like to share it to you.”
I could hardly see through the haze of tears. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to. I’m not your mom, and I’m not trying to replace her…I just wanted to give you something from me.”
I took the broach from the box and held it in my hands, facing the window, as the light caught the tiny sapphires, making it sparkle. “I’d be honored to wear it, Maggie.” I turned back to her and hugged her close. “You are my mom and have been for a very long time.”
Stepping out of her embrace, I faced Grams’ vanity and clipped the broach in my hair beside the flower and weaved it through so it wouldn’t fall out. “I think it’s perfect, thank you.”
I gave Maggie one more hug before she left to take her seat out in the garden. I looked at myself one more time before I went to the living room to join my bridesmaids.
The moment I stepped into the room, the excited chitchat stopped, and everyone turned to face me, making me blush at the sudden attention.
“Haley, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
Papa walked up and hugged me. “You make your Grams and I so proud, sweetheart. You picked a strong man, and a wonderful family to marry into.”
I only let one tear slide down my cheek when I let him go and cupped his face. “I love you, Papa.”
Will popped his head in the screen door. “It’s time, are you ready?”
I turned to face him and smiled, “I am.”
He stepped into the living room and twirled me around. “Lovely, absolutely stunning.”
“Thanks.” I couldn’t say anymore without my makeup starting to smear.
He took both of my hands. “I don’t think I need to say this, but, Haley, you became a part of our family before we even met you. You brought our son back from being so lost and gave us our first beautiful grandchild.”
“And second.” I winked at him.
He looked at me, stunned, before a huge grin appeared on his face, “Really?”
“Yes, but Bentley doesn’t know yet. I’ll tell him on our honeymoon.”
He picked me up and hugged me tight as I laughed.
Carleigh clapped her hands, “Okay boys, it’s time to take your seats, while us women try one more time to talk Haley out of this.” Whitney slapped her on the arm.
“I’ll tell them to start the music then,” Will said as he left, winking at me one more time.
“I guess I’ll show Grams to her seat,” Papa said, putting on his suit jacket.
“Actually, Papa, I was wondering if you’d walk me out to the garden then Dad can meet us to finishing walking me the rest of the way?”
“Sounds perfect,” Dad smiled. “I’ll take Mom to her seat and see you guys at the garden.” He kissed my cheek. “I love you, Hales, more than anything, but if he ever hurts you, know I will pack you and Emerson up so fast, and he will never find you.”
“Don’t worry, son, I’ll just shoot him,” Papa stated with a nod.
I closed my eyes and shook my head with a smile. Today I’d become Mrs. Bentley Knight, and I couldn’t wait.
PAPA AND I left the house, and we could hear the start of the music for Bentley, Curtis, and Travis; followed up by the bridesmaids.
“What song is playing?”
“Can’t Take My Eyes off You by Frankie Valli. Bentley and I wanted something fun.”
“I remember dancing with your Grams to this song; brings back some good memories.”
Once the trumpets started playing and people began laughing, I knew Curtis was doing something stupid. All of a sudden we could hear Travis and Curtis singing along, “I love you baby…” I would give anything to see them at this moment. Thank goodness Mike thought of recording the ceremony.
The song ended and everything fell silent. I looked to Papa, silently asking him if something was wrong. He patted my hand and smiled just as I heard the sound of Bentley’s guitar.
We walked around the house with everything in view, and I walked to my dad with tears in my eyes. I kissed my granddad before taking my dad’s arm.
“Are you ready, baby girl?”
“He was made for me, Daddy.”
Dad and I faced the aisle and stopped as I took a deep breath and watched Bentley play and sing. Dad went to take a step, but I held him back. “Give me one more minute.” He kissed my cheek while I watched Bentley with tears running down my face. “God, I love him,” I said to myself.
“Ready?” he smiled.
“Yes.”
The twenty feet we walked to the center of the garden took forever. The moment I reached the alter, I let go of my dad’s arm and rushed to Bentley, kissing him with everything I had. This moment in time was just for us, and I closed my eyes and took everything in, and felt everything around us. I pulled away and whispered, “I love you.”
He handed his guitar to Curtis. “T
hen I guess we should get married.”
Bentley took my hand and pulled off my engagement ring. “When I gave you this ring, I gave you my heart, Hales. I promised you would never walk alone again, and my heart would always be your shelter, and my arms would always be your home.”
Father Paul handed Bentley my wedding ring, “With this ring, today I give myself completely to you in marriage. I promise to be faithful and honest in every way. To encourage and inspire you, and to laugh with you and comfort you in times of struggle.” He slid on my band then returned my engagement ring to my finger. “I promise to love you when life seems easy, and when it seems hard. I’ll take care of you in sickness, and in health. To be your friend and your companion, and I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in the highest regard.”
“Haley, it’s your turn.” Father Paul passed me Bentley’s ring.
I wiped away the last of the tears and looked into his eyes then began, “Bentley, I take you to be my best friend, my faithful partner, and my one true love. I promise to encourage you, and to inspire you; to love you through good times and bad. I will forever be there to laugh with you, to lift you up when you are down, and to love you unconditionally through all of our adventures in life together.” I slid the ring on his finger. “And I vow to always love you, even during football season, and especially on the nights you don’t bring home a win. I love you, Bentley Knight, more than words will ever say.”
Bentley grabbed my hands and pulled me into his arms as Father Paul said, “I now happily pronounce you, Bentley and Haley Knight.” Bentley started kissing me before he could even say, “You may now kiss your bride.”
We could hear our son cheering as he ran to us, “Kiss, kiss, kiss!” Holding my hand, Bentley scooped up our son, and we walked down the aisle as the Knight Family.
AFTER OUR GUESTS congratulated us, Bentley and I left for some family pictures with Emerson before he went down for his nap.
“For the last picture, I would like Bentley, Haley, Travis, and Whitney,” Netty said.
My new brother-in-law Travis tapped my husband’s shoulder, “I don’t know how much more I can smile, man. My fucking cheeks hurt.”
Haley & Bentley (Falling for Bentley #2.5) Page 4
