“I will check on Milo. You check on Evie. She is getting ready in my room. The sun will be over the bluffs in less than two hours.”
“Glad to meet you,” Kyson said warmly.
“And I you. Take care of my Kasaraibo.” Though the way he said it sounded more like a command than a request.
“Absolutely. Nothing will harm her when I’m near,” he vowed.
This made Toko smile, which took decades off his face. “This is good,” he said and then took his leave, headed toward Milo’s father, Sani.
“What’s Kasaraibo mean?” Kyson asked as I linked my arm with his.
“Angel.”
“Angel.” He made the word sound even more beautiful than it already was. “Fitting.”
“You think?” I teased.
He stopped when we hit the stairs of the porch and turned me toward him. “You are an angel, Isabeau. Every night I thank God you walked into my and Hope’s lives. With you, I feel like I’m truly living again when I hadn’t been in years. That is your gift. The people around you can breathe easier because you’re there. Helping. Supporting. Loving. Shedding your kindness all over the place. You are an angel, baby. Mine, his, Hope’s, everyone’s.” He cupped my cheek, dipped his head and kissed me so sweetly I felt the love he poured into every sigh, every swipe of his tongue. With every breath he took, I felt his words ring true.
“I love you, Kyson Turner,” I blurted because he needed to know. Every time I felt his love, I wanted him to know he had it in return.
He grinned. “I know, baby. You show me every time I look in your eyes.” He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles. “And I love you, too. Now, let’s go find your sisters and see about getting one of them hitched.”
I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt. “Yay! I love weddings!”
He chuckled and shook his head. “I am not surprised.”
I mock-glared and dragged him up the stairs and through Toko’s home.
When we got to Toko’s room I knocked lightly and responded, “Izzy and Kyson,” when they asked who it was.
Suda Kaye opened the door and pulled me a foot inside. She pointed at Kyson. “Hey, bro, can I tell you to find somewhere else to be without sounding bitchy?” She grinned.
Kyson laughed, kissed my shoulder and squeezed my hand. “See you outside whenever you are ready. I’ll go make sure Lincoln and Jasper haven’t taken their shenanigans to the back of the truck.”
“Oooh, good idea. You never know with those two.” I smirked.
He let me go and I watched his ass in those scrumptious jeans as he walked away. Suda Kaye was leaning on the door frame doing the same.
“The man has a fine ass, sister.” She whistled. I playfully shoved her into the room and followed behind her.
There was a petite, middle-aged woman sitting in the lone chair, sipping a glass of champagne. She had brown hair that was liberally mixed with streaks of gray, soulful brown eyes and a smile that could ease any tortured heart.
She waved as I entered. “Regina. Evie’s assistant and surrogate mother figure,” she boasted and sipped her champagne. “You must be Isabeau. Stunning redhead with the bombshell body gave you away, sweetheart. The cheekbones and the smile, though, all part of the family, I see.”
I grinned. “Nice to meet you, Regina. You can call me Izzy.”
“You can call me Reggie. Everybody does.”
I nodded and turned my head to the corner of the room. In front of a tall standing mirror, Evie stood in her wedding dress. She looked like an ethereal goddess. Her hair was pulled back on each side, just off her face. A single sunflower somehow tied into the center. The beaded bodice formed perfectly over her breasts, rib cage and tiny waist. From there it flowed out into waves of shimmery chiffon that just barely skimmed the floor.
“Well, what do you think?” She swallowed and put her hands out to the sides.
Chills raced through my body, and goose bumps rose on my arms. “You’re more than stunning, Evie. You’re a goddess.”
Suda Kaye grinned. “Milo is going to lose his mind when he sees you!”
Evie smiled wide as there came a knock on the door. Tahsuda entered, holding a wooden box, one it looked like he may have whittled himself.
“From my Catori to her daughter on her wedding day.” He held out the box and Evie’s hands shook as she reached for it. He covered her hands with his own. “You are more beautiful than the sunrise. More lovely than the sunset. Catori would be very proud in this moment. I am very proud.”
Evie went straight into Toko’s arms and hugged him for a long time. Not Suda Kaye, Regina, or I spoke, wanting Evie to have this private moment with her grandfather and the mother she’d lost.
Eventually, she sniffed and Toko murmured to her, “I will wait outside. When you are ready, we will walk you to your new life.”
“That’s my cue.” Regina stood, all of five feet and no change. “See you on top of the mountain, my dear. And don’t you fret. I’ll drag that hunk of man all the way up if I find out his feet are chilly.”
Suda Kaye, Evie and I all burst out in laughter.
“I’m sure he’ll be waiting rather impatiently for me to arrive. I have no doubt,” Evie announced with extreme certainty.
Regina and Toko left the room.
“Do you want me to go and let you have a moment?” I hooked my thumb toward the door.
She shook her head. “No, my goodness. I need you here when I do this.” She held the box to her stomach.
Suda Kaye put her hand to her sister’s shoulder. “It’s okay. You know Mom always wanted things to be a surprise at the right time. So go ahead, open the box. We’re right here, by your side, sissy.”
Evie licked her lips and I went to Evie’s other side and stood close.
Inside the box was a familiar pink letter with Evie’s Wedding Day scrawled on the front. She lifted it, and under it was a pair of wedding rings. His and hers, looped through an elegant, thin gold chain.
Evie covered her mouth as she handed the box to Suda Kaye and reached in to lift the necklace. “It’s Mom and Dad’s wedding rings,” she choked out, tears filling her eyes and falling down her cheeks.
“Here, let me.” My voice cracked as I took the chain and she spun around. I looped it around her neck and let the two simple gold wedding bands fall over her chest, near her heart. “They go perfectly.”
Evie nodded over and over as I pulled her into a hug. “She really would be so proud of the woman you have become. I’ve only known you three months and I already know you’re a beautiful woman, a great sister and will make an incredible mother one day.”