Page 32 of The Baxters
“I do.” He sounded breathless now, like he was in trouble and he knew it. “I love her with my whole life. I’ll make her the happiest girl in the world, Dr. Baxter. I promise.”
Tim’s words seemed to come from a clearly apologetic heart. When John didn’t say anything, Tim continued. “I’ve asked God to help me be the man Kari needs. And my goal is to put her first in everything I do. Always.”
John nodded. “It’s okay, Tim.” He studied the man. “Save that for the vows. Right now I have to get going.” He pointed out the window where a long black limo had pulled up. “Luke and I are going with the driver to get the girls.”
Tim shook his hand again. “Sounds good.” His palm was sweaty and he wiped it on his black tux pants. “I meant what I said.”
“I hope so.” John’s eyes found Tim’s again and held. “Kari deserves your best.”
“She does.” Tim walked with him to the door of the chapel and handed John an umbrella. “The rain’s still coming down.”
Not until John and Luke were in the limo and halfway back to his house was he able to sort through his array of feelings. Whatever Joe the groomsman had been referring to, John didn’t like it. And he didn’t like theway Tim had talked about a last night of freedom. Or the way he defended his love for Kari. In quick bursts and rushed sentences.
Like he was guilty of something.
Which John hoped was not true.
But it wasn’t only Tim’s strange behavior. There was something else scraping against John’s heart. He peered out the limo window as they pulled up to the Baxter house.
He was about to escort his daughter Kari to the chapel, about to walk her down the aisle toward Tim Jacobs, and place her precious hand in his. About to watch her change her name.
And all he could think about was the baby girl he’d held in his arms that day at the hospital, the day she was born. His Kari. He could see her riding her pink tricycle with the streamers and heading off for her first day of kindergarten. Back then, when they were raising their family, he and Elizabeth talked weekly about how quickly time passed.
How the little kids at the table looked less little all the time. Especially his four daughters. “I’ll never make it through their weddings,” he used to tell Elizabeth.
He still wasn’t sure he would. The limo pulled up to the house and John sighed. He’d done this before, of course. With Brooke a few years ago. But no matter how many times he was father of the bride, one thing was sure.
Giving his daughters away wasn’t only something he’d spent a lifetime dreading.
It was the hardest thing he’d ever do.
10
Ashley zipped up Brooke’s dress in the makeshift bridal room and next to them Kari was helping Erin. It was almost time to head to the chapel. Outside a steady rain still fell, but the storm was between sets. For the first time all day they could work without the sound of thunder.
Erin looked over her shoulder at Kari. “These are such pretty dresses.” Her smile was the sweetest ever. “You picked the perfect shade of pink.”
“Thanks.” Kari stepped back and looked at the three of them. “I don’t think it’s the dresses, though. It’s my beautiful sisters wearing them.”
The mood was lighter than before, and Ashley was glad. There was nothing any of them could do to change things now. Kari was going to marry Tim, for better or worse. “It’s your turn.” Ashley grinned at Kari. “Let’s get that wedding gown on you.”
“Yes.” Kari’s eyes were shining. A vast improvement from how she’d looked when she joined them half an hour ago. Her makeup had been redone and Mom had helped her fix her hair.
Whatever had made Kari cry, Ashley wasn’t sure. She’d find out later. It didn’t really matter, as long as Kari was happy now.
“Hello, everyone!” The photographer, Daisy, found them and immediately she threw her arms in the air. “Okay, beautiful bridesmaids!” She did a little scream and set her camera bag down. “These are going to be the best photos!”
Daisy directed them through a series of poses. The girls fussing over each other’s dresses, and then the three of them helping Kari into her gown.
“Nice and slow!” Daisy’s energy could fuel a fleet of cars. “We don’t want makeup on that bright white lace.”
Ashley and her sisters buttoned up the back of Kari’s bodice. And when she turned around, Ashley’s breath caught in her throat. “Kari!” She touched the pretty skirt. “You look… stunning.”
A few more photos of the sisters preening and prepping around Kari and then Daisy waved them off. “Someone get your parents. I need pictures of them with Kari before we can move on.”
Just as Ashley was about to find her mother, she heard her baby crying. Then her mother’s voice coming from the living room. “Ashley? Cole needs a bottle, honey. I have to finish getting ready.”
“Sorry.” Ashley checked the time on the kitchen clock as she hurried past. Actually Cole had needed a bottle an hour ago. But she’d been busy, so this would have to do. She grabbed the can of formula and in ten seconds she had a warm bottle, ready to go.
