Page 53 of Wicked Cowboy
I glanced at my hand and then to my reflection. This wasn’t me. The person reflected back was beautiful. My eyes misted, but I refused to cry and ruin all the makeup.
A knock at my door caught my attention. My guest bedroom had turned into bride central. I opened the door. I threw my arms open for a hug. “Sally, I’m glad you’re here.”
Since I'd arrived, she’d been sweet and kind. Hopefully, we could be friends now. As her hug ended, she said, “Chelsea’s being sweet, helping us all find our seats. She said you wanted to see me.”
Good girl.
I nodded. “Yes, I was hoping the invitation to the women’s club is still open. I don’t know anyone here.”
Her lips curved up and she said, “You’re absolutely invited. I’ll text you the next meeting date.”
Good. It would be great to have friends in the area. “Thank you for being here.”
She patted my hands and let herself out. Someone else was at the door. I figured it was the makeup people to check on me as they didn’t knock, but then I took a step back.
Finally. Three of my five sisters hugged me. The oldest, Georgie said, “Stephanie and Indigo can’t be here.”
I didn’t move or respond. Indigo was in Venice and Stephanie was in London. I just squeezed tighter the ones that were here. “Georgie, Nicole, Olivia!”
Our family hug ended and the youngest, Olivia, whistled. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” Inside, it felt, from the heels of my feet to my fingertips, as though a balloon of excitement was growing. I asked my oldest sister about her family, “Where’s Michael and Jeremy?”
She pointed to the window. “Michael’s grilling your Carter about his intentions.”
I never thought any man would take the protector role in the family after Dad died and sniffled before I said, “That’s funny.”
Georgie handed me a tissue. “We’re happy for you.”
Olivia then asked, “Does he have a brother?”
One day, my sister would find someone for her. Olivia had the biggest heart in the family, but I said, “No. Sorry.”
Nicole then took a photo with her phone from my bedroom window. “I am totally creating some videos here for clean living. Your wedding looks like it will be beautiful.”
The tick in her lips was new. She was always flawless, so I tilted my head and asked, “Nicole, you look distracted.”
She waved her hands in front of her. “It’s nothing. I’m happy to be here. I’m just wondering about my upcoming appointment.”
She had a devoted following of fans for her blog and lifestyle advice. I asked, “What appointment?”
She crossed her arms. “I’m heading to Vegas to meet a donor who wants one-on-one guidance.”
Georgie asked, “In Vegas?”
She glanced at me like she needed to apologize as she said, “It’s honestly the most amount of money I’ve ever been offered, but it doesn’t matter. I’m here for your wedding.”
I patted her shoulder. "Do you need help or advice?”
“No. I’m good and it’s not my day. I was just distracted for a moment.”
She was a great sister, so I said, “Well, be safe. Vegas is full of crazy people.”
She saluted me. “I have y’all on speed dial and group chat.”
Georgie took over as the makeup people came in. She said, “We’ll go take our seats, but we wanted to see you first.”
I directed my sisters to the door and called out, “I love y’all.”
