“And then we stopped by Emerson’s Barn on the way home so I could see it for myself,” Sophie concluded. “It’s really nice. Thinking that we should have the whole reception inside, though. It’d be warmer, and more comfortable for women wearing party dresses.”
“You really did cover it all,” he said, impressed.
“How was your day?”
“We didn’t lose any calves today, and the weather’s warming. We should be up fifteen degrees by Thursday, and almost balmy this weekend.”
“That’s such a crazy change in weather.”
“That’s Montana,” Summer said with a weary smile. “You know, I think I might just go to bed early. I’m more tired than I thought.”
“How about I make you something light to eat?” Sophie offered. “I’d hate for you to go to bed without any dinner.”
“I don’t need dinner, not after all that cake today. I think a cup of tea would be nice and I’ll just turn in.”
“I’ll make the tea,” Sophie offered.
“I’ll help you upstairs, Mom,” Joe said.
*
The next few days passed in a flurry of work, wedding preparations, normal life errands, dinner prep, and dishes. Sophie’s head buzzed with all there was to do, and the wedding that she hadn’t wanted, actually became exciting and part of her wished she’d invited her family. Part of her wanted them here to meet Joe so they’d know just how wonderful he was.
Thursday evening, after work, she was in the barn with Joe admiring the calf that had been born that morning and admiring the calf had turned into a stolen make-out session. They kissed until they were breathless and then Sophie giggled and he asked why she laughed, and she said she kept waiting for the deputy sheriff to arrive and tell them to knock it off.
Joe laughed, too, and they kissed as they laughed and Sophie pulled her phone out of her back pocket and snapped a selfie of them together. “I think this is our first picture together,” she said, smiling into the camera with Joe’s handsome face just above hers, his strong arms wrapped around her. She took another quick couple of pics, and then put the phone away because Joe was kissing her neck, and then kissing her collarbone, and she turned in his arms, and melted against him, boneless, mindless to all, but the pleasure.
It wasn’t until later that night, when she was in bed, she remembered the photos and she pulled out her phone to look at the three selfies. They were smiling in each and they looked good together. Happy together.
She looked happy.
Sophie zoomed in on the photo and studied her face, but mostly her eyes, and they were shining, bright with joy, and love. So much love.
And now she and Joe were marrying again, in just ten days, and this time it wasn’t because it was practical, but because it was fun. It would be a party. A wonderful party because they’d be celebrating their future.
Impulsively she sent one of the pics in a group text to her family. “Found my heart in Montana. Marrying Joe Wyatt next Sunday. Can’t wait for you all to meet him.”
Sophie woke up to a dozen texts from her large family, some with questions, others congratulating her. Her mother was concerned, fearing Sophie hadn’t thought it through, and would regret her decision. Her oldest brother wanted her to know if he should fly out and meet this guy. Another brother, the lawyer, said he looked into Joe Wyatt and he didn’t have a record, if that was useful. Sarah sent a text with just a red heart emoji.
Sophie answered each that she was good, and for no one to worry, and she promised to come to California sometime with Joe so everyone could meet him. And then she showered, dressed, made a quick breakfast before heading into Marietta for work.
It proved to be a hectic Friday. The salon was crowded, with every stylist booked all day, with the phone ringing frequently with last minute calls from clients hoping to get in Friday or Saturday. The weather had done a one-eighty from two weeks ago and was blissfully sunny and bright, with temperatures predicted to be in the high seventies all weekend. Sophie hoped the good weather would hold for another week. She’d love weather like this for her and Joe’s barn wedding next Sunday.
*
Sunday was Mother’s Day and Sophie had surprised the Wyatts by making a reservation at the Graff Hotel for their Mother’s Day brunch. She cornered Joe and Melvin in the barn and let them know about her plans. “I know you don’t all normally go into town for brunch, but I’ve heard they do an amazing buffet and they have fresh flowers for the moms and I think Summer should be spoiled.”
“That’s a long way to go just for food,” Melvin answered.
“It’s not just food, Granddad,” she answered. “It’s really good food and it’s a chance for Summer to look pretty and go out and be seen with her family. Women like that sort of thing, and she doesn’t get to do enough of it here.”
“Mom never asks to go out,” Joe said.
“Because she’s outnumbered. But she’s not outnumbered anymore. She’s got backup now, and we’re going to make her feel special today. Our reservation is for eleven. We should leave by ten, just so she can take her time getting from the car to the dining room.”
“Does Mom know?” Joe asked.
Sophie smiled. “I’m going to take her a cup of coffee and tell her our plans now.”
Summer was surprised by the Mother’s Day brunch plans, and halfheartedly argued against a trip to town, but when Sophie told her that Joe and Granddad would probably love the buffet featuring a carving station with roast beef and a honey glazed ham, Summer caved, agreeing that it did sound like a lovely treat.
At the Graff, they were seated at a table for four not far from the table where Sophie and Joe had sat on the day of their courthouse wedding ceremony. She glanced at Joe, wondering if he remembered, and he smiled. “Our table,” he mouthed.
She grinned, delighted. Even better, the Wyatts all seemed to enjoy the lavish brunch, with Summer sending Joe back for seconds for her from the dessert table, while Joe and Grandad had seconds and then thirds from the carving station. Sophie ate a little bit of everything, from the omelet to the salads to the fancy shrimp on ice. She sampled one of the tiny lemon meringue tarts, as well as a pretty pink petit four.
The dining room manager walked around the room passing out roses to all the mothers in the room. Summer blushed and thanked the manager for her long stem rose. “This was such a wonderful idea. Thank you, family,” she said, eyes bright. “I don’t even wish your brothers were here because I’m hoping they’ll show up next Sunday for the wedding.”
“And if they can’t,” Joe said, “we’ll still have a wonderful day. Next weekend, there’s big prize money out there. I fully expect the boys to be chasing the money.”
*
When no one could eat another bite, or wanted another splash of coffee, Joe signaled for the bill. The waiter approached and quietly let him know that the bill had already been taken care of. Joe glanced at Sophie, who was smiling, and looking impossibly pleased with herself.
“This is my gift to all of you,” she said.
She’d always been pretty, and she’d always been optimistic, but in that moment she was downright radiant, lighting the room with her beautiful, generous heart. He felt impossibly lucky, and improbably lucky, to have met her online.