Page 128 of Love By The Falls

“Come on. After we play catch with Charlie, you can help me build some bookshelves in his room. I can use a hand.”

“What’s wrong with his old bookcase?”

“There was a minor incident at the other place. Everyone’s fine. Actually, it’s a funny story…”

epilogue

Sage

Three months later…

The house is too quiet since Charlotte and Charlie left, so I turn on the television for background noise.

They asked me to move in with them, but that’s their home, not mine. It was a gracious gesture, but I have to learn to live on my own now.

Today is their wedding day, and we were up late last night decorating the house. Charlotte wanted a small ceremony in their backyard and Caleb moved mountains to make it happen in only three months.

No one deserves such happiness more than Charlotte. I smile as I grab my purse and head out the door.

There are several cars in the driveway as I pull up to the house. Although I’m in my red bridesmaid dress, I’m wearing sneakers. So, I grab my heels, my makeup bag and run up the steps to the front door.

The white hydrangeas we planted earlier are in full bloom and look stunning against the freshly paintedblack doors and window sills. Even the roses have picked up.

I open the door without knocking as I knew it would be unlocked. “Good morning!” I call as I walk in.

Caterers, servers, event coordinators, florists, musicians, and even the minister are already here. Caleb gave uscarte blancheto plan this wedding, and we hired as much help as we could.

“Cindy, bring that tray over to the front. We need to serve champagne as soon as the guests arrive.” She turns and sees me. “Oh, no. They’re already here.”

I shake my head. “No need to panic. I’m the Maid of Honor, not a guest.”

The woman puts a hand to her chest. “Thank goodness.” Then she turns to her team. “We got lucky, people. Let’s get a move on.”

I scurry past the minister who’s talking with Charlotte’s parents and climb the steps to her bedroom.

When I open the door, I find Charlotte dressed in her white gown, a sweetheart neckline and princess cut tulle down to her ankles. Jane’s applying gloss to her lips.

“Wow, Char. You look gorgeous.” My eyes water and I fan them dry.

“Don’t cry,” warns Charlotte. “Or you’ll make me cry.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t,” I lie and keep fanning myself.

“Stop it, you two or I’ll have to fix her eyeliner.”

Jane’s teacher-like voice hits that chord, and we both settle down. “Where’s Kitt?”

“Austin has her,” says Charlotte. “He’s so sweet with her, always carrying her around.”

“He better not get any ideas,” says Jane, waving the lip gloss at Charlotte like a pistol.

Charlotte puts her hands up. “Well, it’s not my fault Kitt is so cute. She’ll make anyone want to have a baby.”

“Well, then definitely keep her away from me,” I tease, and they both laugh.

Jane’s smirk remains on her face, and she looks up at me. “You know, it’s too bad Casey won’t be at the wedding today. His surgery was yesterday, and the doctor won’t let him leave the hospital. I swear you two would be the perfect match.”

“Don’t tease me like that. You know I have the biggest crush on Casey.”

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