Page 22 of Someone Like You
“That leaves the younger cousins.” Maddie smiled. “I was thinking I might have junior bridesmaids. Have you heard of that?”
“I have.” Brooke should win an award for the performance she was giving. “Junior bridesmaids would be sweet.”
“I think so.” Maddie leaned back. “I’ll have three—Malin is twelve and Sophie and Annie are both ten. As for flower girls …” She took a quick breath. “Janessa is eight, is that too old?”
“Eight?” Brooke’s mind raced. “No, that’s not too old. She’ll be great.”
“That’s what I thought.” Maddie hesitated. “You know it took a few days for me to get used to the idea of being engaged. But I’ve been praying about it and Connor’s perfect, Mom. Our families have been friends all this time, which means he’ll get me. Because we both have very big families.”
Am I being punked?Brooke forced herself to listen.Family this, family that.And of course that was all she talked about. Because Maddie was right, that was exactly how they’d raised their girls.
God first, then family.
The waiter came to take their order. He couldn’t keep his eyes off Maddie until she picked up the menu, when he seemed to see her engagement ring. When they finished giving him their orders, she smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“Is that …” He pointed to her ring. “Are you engaged?”
She had never looked happier. “Yes. I’m getting married next summer.”
He shrugged. “Had to ask.” Then he grinned at them. “I’ll get your iced tea. The salads will be right up.”
When he was gone, Maddie leaned over the table. “He saw my ring!”
“Of course he did, sweetie.” Brooke reached across the table and took hold of Maddie’s hand. “Look at it.”
For a long moment they marveled at the ring. The stone was a full carat, and the band was covered in a million tiny diamonds. She released her hand from her mom’s and held it to her heart. “Connor saved for a year. Can you believe that? A whole year.”
“He loves you.”
“So anyway, Janessa will be a flower girl and Egan, Blaise and Johnny can be the ring bearers. Then Tommy, RJ and Devin can be ushers. That way the whole family’s involved.” She barely paused. “Also, Mom, I was thinking about Summer, my only cousin on Dad’s side. She has a little girl who’s what, three?”
“She does.” Brooke studied her daughter. So thoughtful. Summer had been running from her family for years. Brooke chose her words carefully. “I wouldn’t count on her, but she might come.”
Their iced tea and salads arrived, and the waiter seemed to do his best not to flirt with Maddie. When he was gone, Brooke saw her chance. “Can I pray for us?”
Maddie’s smile came straight from her heart. “Please, Mom.”
She nodded. “Lord, thank You for this food. Thank You for Maddie’s excitement and her desire to include family in her upcoming wedding.” Brooke paused. “Family is everything to us, Father. It’s a gift we treasure. Whether related by blood or not, we’re one because of You and the people around us.” She took a breath. “In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Before Maddie could say anything, Brooke studied her across the table. The way she talked and moved and laughed. All of it reminded Brooke of herself at that age. No matter her DNA, Maddie truly had been hers from the beginning.
Brooke could feel her expression grow more serious. “Honey … there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
Maddie winced. “Is it the cost?” She picked up her fork. “Because Connor and I talked about that.” Her eyes met Brooke’s. “We don’t want you and Dad to spend a fortune on a six-hour party. People get crazy with weddings.” She shook her head. “That’s not us.”
“Actually …” Brooke felt herself losing steam. “It wasn’t about that, honey. We’re not worried about the cost. We can … talk about that later.”
“Okay. Thanks, Mom. Really … But still, we’ll be careful.” Maddie hesitated. “The way I acted the night he proposed?” Her smile became sheepish. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that, too.” She took a slow breath. “Everything was happening so fast. Graduation and the party and then the proposal. I could barely feel my feet on the ground.”
“And now?” This was actually something else Brooke had wanted to talk to her about. If she felt ready to marry Connor Flanigan. “How do you feel about him?”
Maddie’s eyes turned dreamy. “He’s the one. I mean he must be, right? I love him, Mom.” She looked around the scenic restaurant and back to Brooke. “And this day … I’ve dreamed about it since I was little. The day you and I look for a wedding dress.” She laughed. “I can’t believe it’s here.”
Brooke blinked. “Yes, Maddie. Me, too.” She felt her heart soften. Forget the truth. That could come later. When she and Peter were together with her. Brooke took a sip of her iced tea. “I’ve imagined this day forever.” She searched her daughter’s face. “I’m so excited for you, Maddie.”
“Thank you!” Happy tears filled Maddie’s eyes. “We better eat. I want lots of time to shop!”
The conversation shifted to color schemes and flowers and music. In no time Brooke was actually enjoying herself. Talk of Maddie’s birth, long forgotten.
