Wasn’t she?
“It’s pre-wedding jitters,” she told her mother. “Most every couple has them at one time or another. It’s normal.”
Barbara gave her a searching gaze for a long moment before nodding. “Okay, honey. That’s good to hear. However, since I started this ball rolling already, I’ll say one more thing and get it off my chest, and then we will be done with it. Okay?”
Could I stop you? “Okay.”
“You’ve been planning this wedding for a year. You’ve put your heart and soul and dreams into it, and I know how much you want it to be a fairy-tale day. I want that for you too. But, sweetheart, being in the industry, you and I both have heard stories of brides who have gone through with weddings they knew they should have canceled. That’s a mistake I don’t want you to make.”
“Mom.”
Barbara held up her index finger. “Gillian, if you have serious doubts at any point—even as your father is walking you down the aisle—I want you to promise me that you’ll listen to them and act. Don’t allow the wedding to prevent you from calling a halt to getting married.”
“I won’t, Mom.”
“Promise?”
“I promise. But you don’t need to worry because that’s not going to happen,” Gillian assured both her mother and herself. “Jeremy and I are fine. There’s so much going on, what with the holidays and wedding planning and getting everything ready to launch Blissful Events. We’re just stressed.”
“Okay, then.” Barbara crossed to Gillian and took her in her arms for a hug. “I needed to say my piece, and now I’ve said it. I only want what’s best for you, Gillian.”
“I know, Mom.”
“Let’s call it a night, shall we? Your father is making Tuscan chicken for dinner. Care to join us?”
“My favorite. Of course, I’ll join you.” Gillian pressed a kiss to Barbara’s cheek and added, “And I love you, Mom. To the moon and back.”
“And I love you too, baby girl. I love you too.”
In harmony with each other once again, the Thacker women locked up and walked out of Bliss Salon and into the crisp winter evening.
* * *
The fish turned out fabulous, and Tucker and Jackson staged a mock battle over the last piece to entertain a giggling Haley. Caroline gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes, then swooped in to steal the fillet right off her fiancé’s fork.
Afterward, they built a fire in the pit and roasted marshmallows on skewers while Haley continued to enthusiastically share details about her afternoon with Uncle T. As the tangy scent of burning cedar drifted over them, the conversation moved on to a debate between Caroline and Haley about the perfect amount of marshmallow char needed to create the perfect s’more. Tucker and Jackson stood back from the crackling fire and watched. Softly, Jackson said, “She’s happy tonight.”
“She did great today.”
“She really took a fish off her hook?”
“She did. Two of them. Baited the hooks herself too.”
“I’m impressed. Thanks for taking Haley under your wing, Tucker.”
“Glad to do it. I hope it helps.”
“Already has. She was a knot-tying fool last night. Went through the house tying together anything that dangled. Kept her distracted during the hours that her mother was on an airplane.”
“Where is our favorite famous pop star off to this time?”
Jackson cut Tucker a sardonic look. His relationship with his ex-wife had improved since the mid-September plane crash, but nobody would call her his favorite anything. As for Tucker, well, he’d never liked the woman even before she’d dragged Jackson to hell and back over custody issues.
“Nashville,” Jackson said. “Studio meetings. She’ll be back tomorrow.”
Both men were distracted when Haley giggled as the marshmallow Caroline was toasting went up in flames. Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “I love hearing that sound.”
“Pretty music, for sure.”
“This is the happiest I’ve seen Haley in weeks. You’re really good with her.” Jackson gave Tucker a sidelong glance and added, “Maybe now that you’re out of the army, you should think about getting married and having an ankle-biter or twelve of your own.”
“Twelve!”
“Cheaper by the dozen,” Jackson said with a shrug.
“In what universe?” Tucker’s gaze fixed on the beautiful little girl and the yearning that he’d experienced earlier returned in spades. “Actually, I’ve thought about that. I wouldn’t mind having a family of my own. You know, you’re not married to the lovely Caroline yet. Maybe I should swoop in and steal her away from you.”
“Try it and die. Never mind that you wouldn’t stand a chance. Caroline loves me.”
“But I am the charming cousin. Granddad always said so. If I turned on the charm—”
“What charm? It’s been AWOL for a decade now. Besides, Caroline and I are soul mates. She’s my music and my muse. She’s the song my heart sings each day I awaken lying next to her.”
“Those are some pretty poetic words, cousin. Gonna write ’em down?”
“Actually, I already have.” Jackson’s jade-green eyes glowed with joy. “She’s given me back my music, Tucker. I’m writing some good stuff these days.”
“That’s awesome.” Tucker clapped his cousin on the back. “I’m glad for you, man. Really happy for you both.”
As if sensing that she was the topic of the cousins’ conversation, Caroline looked away from the marshmallow roasting over the fire and smiled brilliantly at the McBride cousins. Tucker added, “Your lady sparkles. You are one lucky man.”
“Don’t I know it. Caroline bought her wedding gown this morning. She’s been dancing on air ever since.”
“What is it about women and weddings?” Tucker asked. “A woman I worked with in DC had a daughter getting married last year. The two of them were on the phone half a dozen times every day talking about everything from swizzle sticks to bridesmaid’s robes to playlists. And the money involved … it’s crazy.”
“I don’t think Caroline’s one to worry about swizzle sticks, but she’s been all about the dress for a while now. Wedding gowns are big business. Took her three weeks to get an appointment at Gillian Thacker’s dress shop, and Gillian is one of her bridesmaids!”
Tucker gave Jackson a doubting look. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. That shop does a bang-up business. Gillian’s mother is apparently some sort of wedding gown guru, and women come from all over the state to buy their dresses from her.”
“I met Barbara Thacker. She and her sister spent a weekend at the inn last month. Seems like a nice lady.”
“Barbara is good people. So is Gillian.” Jackson hesitated a moment before adding, “Not so sure about the guy she’s marrying.”
Tucker’s interest went on high alert, but he kept his tone casual. “I don’t think I’ve met him.”
“You will. Once Jeremy Jones finds out that you play golf, he’ll be your new best friend.”