Page 65 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

She nodded. “I love him, Jules. So much.”

Julie took both of her hands and squeezed until the blood stopped flowing. “I knew it!”

“I’m scared, Julie. Really, really scared.”

“Don’t be. Enjoy the feeling. Revel in it. Love is an amazing thing and I’m happy you finally figured it out.”

“Did I?”

“You will, honey. I know it’ll all work out. Now, it’s time for our beauty sleep. We both have a big day tomorrow.”

“Yes, and I can’t wait. Good night, Jules.”

“Night, my maid of honor extraordinaire.”

Chapter Nine

The next afternoon,Taylor opened the door to Coop and Cassie. Coop was in his work clothes, Cassie in her jeans. “I think this young lady needs some assistance getting ready for the wedding,” Coop said. “Seems someone promised to do her hair.”

Taylor grinned. “That would be me. Hi, Cassie. Are you ready?”

Cassie put her head down. “I guess so.”

Taylor gazed into Coop’s deep blue eyes, her heart as full as it’s ever been. She wondered if he could see a difference in her, in the way she was looking at him. Was the evidence of her love written all over her face?

Coop winked as if to say Cassie would be all right. And then Taylor knew he hadn’t picked up on her newfound emotions. His concern was for his daughter. As it should be.

“Did you bring your special necklace?” she asked.

“Sure did.” He took a jewelry box out of his pocket and slipped it into his daughter’s hand. “Here you go, Cassie. I know you’ll take good care with it.”

“I will, Daddy.”

Cassie met Taylor’s eyes. “You’re going to wear yours, right?”

“I sure am.” Taylor put out her hand. “Ready? I’ve got an idea of what to do with your hair. I think you’re gonna like it.”

She looked at her dad and when he nodded, she took Taylor’s hand. “Go on, Cass. You’re gonna do fine, honey. Just like you did at rehearsal yesterday.” He bent to kiss Cassie’s cheek. “Dad’s gotta get ready for the wedding too. Grandpa and I will see you both at the church a little later, okay?”

Taylor put her hands over Cassie’s shoulders. “Don’t worry about a thing. Us girls, we’ll be just fine.”

Cassie finally cracked a smile and Coop gave them both one last look before he left.

“We have a couple of hours, Cass. The other girls are getting their hair and makeup done right now downstairs. Let’s start on your hair. And then we’ll both get dressed. How’s that?”

“Okay,” Cassie said, her mood brightening a bit.

They entered the house and she took Cassie upstairs where Taylor set out all her grooming paraphernalia. Hair straighteners, blowers, curling irons, combs and brushes took up most of the counter space.

She began brushing Cassie’s hair. “I love your long hair, Cass. I think we should leave it down in the back. You don’t mind if I do your hair like mine, do you? Here, I’ll show you.”

Taylor parted her hair down the middle in the front and began braiding Cassie’s hair on each side. Then she connected the braids in the back to make one longer braid, all the while leaving the rest of her hair to fall softly down her back. It took a few tries to get the hairdo just right, but when she was done, she handed Cassie a mirror to look at it from all sides. “What do you think?”

She smiled. “It’s just like yours.”

“Yep, that was the plan. And we all have a little tiara of fresh flowers to go in our hair. Here we go,” she said, placing the headband of baby roses onto her head. “It’s just right, Cassie. You look very pretty.”

Cassie was quiet, but she kept glancing at herself in the bathroom mirror, and with each glance, her acceptance seemed to grow.

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