Page 206 of Heartbeats & Highways

Brooklyn opened another bottle of champagne.

“Guess I better tell you,” Jazz said with a shy smile. “I’m pregnant.”

There was another round of squealing and hugs.

The door opened again, and Riley’s daughter Clementine burst through the door, her hair curled into ringlets.

“What’s going on?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips and pouting. She clearly didn’t like being out of the loop.

“Er—nothing,” Jazz said.

“I can keep a secret,” Clementine said. “I keep lots of secrets.”

“Like what?” Riley asked her daughter.

“Like the ring Virgil has in his pocket.” She blinked. “Whoops. I wasn’t supposed to say that.”

“A ring?” Riley asked.

“Give me your glass,” Brooklyn said. “You look like you need another drink.”

I settled my bulk into the chair next to Savage. He took my hand. “Missed you.”

“I had to help the bride,” I said with a smile.

“How is Jazz? Shaking like a leaf? Cold feet?”

“Nah, nothing but warm toes,” I said, laying my head on his shoulder.

Horace and Angie Jackson lived on property and had more than enough room for a ceremony and party. A white event tent had been set up the day before and the caterers were ensuring everything was ready.

Homer stood in front of the wooden pergola. Pink and white flowers twined around the wooden beams. Roman and Virgil were with him, and they were conversing quietly while they waited for the ceremony to start.

Cozy and Riley sat in the front row next to the Jacksons, their heads bent as they exchanged some words. They saw me. Cozy gave me a finger wave. Riley looked flushed but happy at the news that Virgil had bought a ring.

I wondered when Cozy would come around to the idea of marriage. But like me, she’d been running scared. Roman was patient with her though, and that’s what she needed.

The string quartet struck a chord, signaling the start of the wedding. Everyone took their seats, and our attention turned to the back of the aisle.

Clementine was dressed in a pink dress, and she carried a basket of rose petals. She dropped them on the ground and when she got to the front, she went and sat on Horace’s lap.

Brooklyn and Brielle came down the aisle, one after the other. They looked gorgeous in their sage green bridesmaid dresses that complimented both of them. They went to stand under the pergola and waited for the bride.

Jazz hadn’t opted for a traditional white gown. Instead, it was satin cream with a spring flower motif. No veil covered her face.

She walked down the aisle as though a magnet were drawing her to Homer.

I looked at the groom, expecting to see a stoic expression crossing his face. But he surprised me. He wore a picture of awe, his jaw dropping a bit when he saw his bride-to-be.

“Well, look at that,” Savage whispered.

“I’m looking.”

The couple recited traditional vows, and I couldn’t stop the tears that gathered in my eyes. Savage reached into his pants pocket and handed me a handkerchief.

Smiling in surprise, I took it and dabbed my cheeks.

When the minister announced they were man and wife, Homer gathered Jazz in his arms and kissed her.

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