Page 153 of Lavender Lake
I smiled and nodded.
Once the necklace rested against Hadley’s skin, I ensured her veil was straight and stepped back and linked my arm through my father’s.
“She looks perfect now, doesn’t she?” I said.
Dad nodded. He turned his head and kissed my hair. “You both do.”
There was another knock on the door right before it opened. Muddy came into the room; her face wreathed in a smile. She wore a lavender dress and low heels. Her cheeks were bright and her silver hair was pleated, woven through with wildflowers.
“You mind if I have a word with the bride?” Muddy asked.
“She’s all yours,” Dad said.
The two of us walked into the hallway, and then went downstairs. Jane had waited in the kitchen for my father, and when the two of them looked at each other, I wondered when we’d be attending their wedding.
“We should take our seats,” Jane said to my father.
Dad hugged me and whispered in my ear, “I would give anything to see you as happy as Hadley.”
I smiled up at him, metaphorically biting my tongue.
If only he knew.
Well, he’d know soon enough. Maybe in a few hours after all the guests were gone and it was just family.
“You look beautiful,” Jane said to me.
“Thanks, Jane,” I said, my tone sincere. “So do you.”
And she did. Her brown hair was down and curled, her cheeks pink and her eyes bright.
The two of them headed out the back door and I waited for Muddy and Hadley. They came downstairs about five minutes later and the three of us made our way to the wedding ceremony. Chairs had been set up, and at the end of the aisle Declan stood with the minister and Cas at his side.
Jane had gotten Dad to his seat in the front and now we waited for the musicians to start. They struck up a chord and the guests who’d been talking in low voices ceased, turning their attention to the back of the aisle.
Wyn walked first, followed by Poet. When it was my turn, I looked over my shoulder at my sister, shot her a wink, and then glided down the aisle.
My eyes immediately went to Cas.
Our gazes locked on one another and my heart flipped in my chest. It was as if there was no one else here, as if this wedding wasn’t my sister’s, but mine.
And in our tacit communication, we promised each other forever.
I made it to the platform and took my place in front of Poet.
And then I watched my grandmother walk my sister down the aisle.
The veil didn’t cover Hadley’s face—it was merely an adornment. And it was perfect because it meant I could see her expression.
Her beautiful, serene expression when she saw the man she loved waiting to make her his wife.
When they arrived at the platform, Muddy squeezed Hadley’s hand and kissed her cheek before letting her go.
Declan held out his hand to Hadley. She took it, and then stood on the platform, facing him.
He refused to drop her hand and instead, pulled her close and kissed her on the lips.
“I haven’t gotten to that part yet,” Minister Bainbridge teased.
