Page 47 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

“Yes.”

“And you know everyone there will also be all dressed up?”

She nodded.

“Cassie, you do look very nice in this dress. Very flower-girlie and I think you’ll surprise some people in a very good way when they see you wearing this.”

Her eyes brightened. “You do?”

“Yes, I really do. And you know what my mama told me when I was about your age and feeling embarrassed about performing a dance in my ballet recital? She told me it doesn’t matter what the rest of the world thinks, just so long as you hold close to your heart the ones who really love you. And I happen to know many people love you, Cassie. Can I show you something?” she asked.

Cassie nodded and Taylor pulled out the heart-shaped locket she kept tucked underneath her blouse. “My mama died some years ago and when I get to feeling a little bit scared or unsure, I remember my mom is always near, and it gives me courage. See,” she said, pressing the latch and opening the locket to expose a photo of her mom holding her as a baby. She’s here with me. I’ve been wearing it every day since I left New York.”

“It’s pretty,” Cassie said. “My mom died too. When I was five.”

“I know, and she’s someone you hold close to your heart, right?”

“Yes.”

“Cassie, maybe you have something that gives you courage. Can you think of anything? And it can’t be your baseball mitt.”

Giggles rose up from Cassie’s throat and the sound swept straight through her. At least she could make the little girl laugh.

“I know that,” Cassie replied.

“It should be something special that you could wear or hold on the wedding day. Something that will give you super flower girl powers.”

A thought struck and her eyes grew wide. “My daddy has a necklace that was my mommy’s. He says I can wear it when I get older. He takes it out and lets me hold it sometimes. It’s a heart too, with rubies around one diamond.”

“It sounds very beautiful.”

“It is. The prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Well then, I think your daddy would surely allow you to wear it on Julie and Miguel’s special day. Do you think that would give you strength?”

“I think so. If Daddy lets me wear it.”

“Would you like me to ask him?”

She smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

“Then I will.”

Joy entered Cassie’s eyes. Then she lurched forward and wrapped her arms around Taylor’s waist. The hug was unexpected and loving and so surprising, it took Taylor a second to recognize what was happening. But that didn’t stop tears from pooling in her eyes as she returned the hug with a big squeeze.

Coop was right, Cassie was a special kid.

With super flower girl powers.

*

Coop was pleasedwith the progress on the she-shed. The siding was up, and the windows would be going in after that. This was one of the easiest projects he’d engaged in, but it was also very special and he wanted everything just right for Julie. She’d been a dear friend all these years. And he and Miguel had become instant buddies when they’d first met.

Coop walked around the entire building, checking out the workmanship. As he rounded the corner and glanced at Julie’s back door, he spotted Cassie coming out, a big smile on her face. She was eating a cookie, and Taylor was behind her holding a tray. The women of the house always made sure the crew was well-hydrated. This time, it looked like icy cold lemonade. He didn’t know which was more appealing after a hard workday, the lemonade or the woman delivering it.

Taylor had a big smile on her face too and it was impossible for him to pry his eyes away.

“Take a picture, boss. It’ll last longer.” The oldest and most experienced of his crew, Toby Greene, was too damn observant.

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