Page 33 of May I Kiss the Bride
Viola swallowed, then turned her head. Her parents were still standing just inside the entrance, although someone had mercifully shut the doors. “Mother, Father, I’d like you to meet Reynold Christensen. My fiancé.”
Her mother moved forward. “Mr. Christensen, it’s lovely to meet you.” Her eyes brimmed with tears, and her lips trembled, but she was all smiles.
“Call me Rey.” He extended his hand and shook Mother’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Delany.”
Mother pulled a handkerchief from one of her pockets and dabbed her eyes.
“I’m Mr. Delany,” a deeper voice said. “Viola’s father.”
Her father stepped up, his hand outstretched to Rey. The men shook hands, then Father’s gaze was upon her.
“Viola, there’s so much to say.” A lump moved in his throat. “So much to apologize for.” He looked around at the audience who was soaking up every word. “Might you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you up the aisle so you can marry this gentleman?”
“Oh, Father.” Viola flew into his arms even though her dress was crushed and who knew what the result to her hairdo might be. When Father’s arms hugged her tight, tears coursed down her cheeks. “Of course you can.”
Next she stepped into her mother’s arms. When they moved apart, Aunt Beth came forward, and the two sisters embraced for a long moment. Then Aunt Beth shook hands with Father and welcomed him to Mayfair.
“Beth, thank you for watching over our little girl,” Father said, emotion edging his voice.
The confused audience, watching and avidly listening, began to clap as murmurs arose. Viola knew she owed many explanations, but for now the wedding must go on. She linked arms with her father.
“Now I’m truly ready.”
Thatcher chuckled. “Everyone to their places. Let the wedding march begin again.”
Viola’s heart zoomed up and down with each step she and her father took toward Rey. He stood, hands behind his back, his gaze once again focused on her. The edges of his mouth lifted in an amused smile, and she could only guess at the thoughts behind his dancing eyes.
When her father released her arm, she took her place across from Rey, waiting for the reverend to begin the service. As he spoke, Viola’s heart swelled at least another size or two. Her mother quietly sniffled in the front row, leaning her head on Father’s shoulder, whose eyes were just as red.
“I love you,” Rey whispered in the middle of the service.
“I love you too,” Viola whispered back.
Her entire world had become this man and his daughter, but she was more than happy to add her own parents to the mix. She knew there was likely a lot of things to work out, a lot of things to understand, but they’d come to Mayfair. And that was the first and most important step.
After the reverend concluded, and after they exchanged their vows, Viola decided that the single gold band upon her ring finger was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she could ever wear. It was straight from Rey’s heart, after all.
“May I kiss the bride?” Rey said as if they weren’t being watched by a hundred people.
“You may,” she whispered.
And then her cowboy leaned close, taking one of her hands in his. Before she closed her eyes, she saw him smile. Her eyes fluttered shut just as Rey made good on his promise and kissed his bride.
