His brows shot up. “Now? As in, like, right now?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No, not this very moment. But soon. I don’t need a large, over-the-top wedding. And even though I don’t think I’ll be that much bigger in May, I’d like to be your wife sooner rather than later.”
A brilliant smile lit up his face. “I like this plan. What were you thinking?”
“Well, maybe we could get married at the church, with just family and our closest friends, and then when the weather turns better, we can exchange vows again in the gazebo. Just the two of us and Jack.”
Hunter swallowed hard and cleared his throat. It was clear he was trying to get his emotions under control. “You have no idea how much it means to me that you want to include Jack.”
I reached across the table and took his hand in mine. “He’s a part of our family, Hunter. I love him, and he somehow always knows when I’m having a bad moment. I couldn’t imagine not having him with us when we get married.”
“Even at the church?”
“Yes! Of course.”
“If we were at home, I’d totally take you on the table right now.”
I quickly looked around and then flashed him a stern look. “Stop that, Hunter Turner, or you’ll make me want to abandon my lunch, and the baby and I need food!”
He winked. “Later, then.”
I giggled as I whispered, “Later.”
Two weeks later
Five sets of eyes stared back at me as I looked at myself in the mirror.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful bride in my life,” Candace said, placing the simple diamond and pearl tiara on my head. My hair was pulled back in a low ponytail with my bangs swept back. Little bits of baby’s breath were woven through my hair to give it the perfect touch.
Greer sniffled and wiped away a tear. “I agree.”
I met her eyes. Greer and Hudson were planning a summer wedding at their house in the back garden. It was going to be stunning. “You’re going to be a beautiful bride, too, Greer.”
She smiled and nodded. “I know.” We all laughed, and Greer chuckled. “Wait, that’s not what I meant!”
I took her hand in mine. “I know what you meant, sweetie.”
“This dress, though, I can’t believe we found it as fast as we did,” Abby said as she adjusted the ribbon tied around my waist.
Willa sighed. “It’s so romantic looking.”
“Like it’s from a storybook,” Greer added.
I looked back at myself in the mirror. The A-line gown was made of chiffon, tulle, and lace. The illusion lace bodice and three-quarter sleeves were perfect for a winter wedding and added just the right amount of romance to the dress. The waistline was natural with lace draping down onto the softly gathered chiffon skirt. I turned and looked at the deep-scooped back that led to satin-covered buttons and more lace. I moved my leg to reveal the side slit. It was the perfect blend of romantic, sweet, and sexy.
After I’d told the girls that Hunter and I had talked to Buck Gale, the pastor at First United Methodist Church, and told him we wanted to get married as soon as possible, Bree and Candace had planned a shopping trip to Boston. We found the dress at the very first bridal shop we walked into. Or, I should say, Bree found the dress. The woman ought to be in fashion.
“I still can’t believe how fast Maddie altered the dress!” Candace said. “That woman needs to be working in Paris and not owning a little quilt shop in Boggy Creek.”
Abby nodded. “She’s talented, but she’s our little hidden gem.”
“Yes, don’t give her any ideas, Candace. Whenever I find a wedding dress, I want Maddie to do all the alterations,” Greer added.
“Are you still thinking no necklace?” Willa asked.
I brought my fingers up to my bare neck and nodded. “I think so.”
Willa handed me a box. “Hunter asked me to give this to you.”
Turning, I took the box from her and stared at it. “He got me a gift? Crap! Was I supposed to get him something?”
Willa laughed. “He knew you were going to say that, so he told me to tell you that you’re giving him two of the greatest gifts he could ever want: you and the baby.”
Tears started to build in my eyes. Before they could fall, I felt a sharp pain on the back of my arm. “Ouch! What in the hell?” I said as I spun around and stared at Candace.
She had a stern look on her face. “I spent forever on your makeup—no crying allowed!”
I opened my mouth to protest, but she raised a single brow as if daring me to argue. I closed my mouth and focused back on the box in my hand. I opened the small card and read it.
For my beautiful bride. Your something blue.
I love you always and forever, Hunter
I picked up the piece of lavender sprig inside the card and put it to my nose, smelling it as I let a single tear slip free. To hell with Candace.
“Don’t wipe! Dab! Dab!” Candace rushed over and dabbed a napkin on my cheek. When she stepped back, I started to open the box. I gasped at the beautiful silver bracelet with round sapphires inside.
“Oh, that is stunning! It looks like an antique,” Abby stated.
Willa sniffled. “It was our grandmother’s. My granddaddy gave it to her on their wedding day. Then when my folks got married, she gave it to my mother to give to their firstborn. Granddaddy got it from his mother, who told him it needed to be passed down to each firstborn baby. I’m not even sure how old it is, I just know it’s been handed down for generations to the firstborn on their wedding day. So, if you and Hunter have a son, you’ll give it to him for his bride. Or if you have a daughter, it’ll be a gift to her from you and Hunter. It’ll be her something blue too.”
“Oh shit,” Candace said as she ran and grabbed the tissues.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, looking down at the bracelet. Willa took it from me and proceeded to put it on my wrist.
Candace was back with the tissues. My lower jaw trembled, and I fought to hold back my tears. Candace handed me the box and sighed. “Fuck it. Just cry. I’ll fix the makeup.”
A sob slipped free as I stared down at the family heirloom. “I love it even more now,” I said, grabbing a tissue and trying not to mess up my makeup. After I got my emotions in check, I turned to Candace. “Did I ruin it?”
She placed her thumb and finger on my chin and examined me carefully. A wide smile broke out on her face, and she shook her head. “Goddamn, I’m good. You still look beautiful.”
“Candace! We’re in a church!” Abby protested.
Greer let out a laugh. “Like she cares. She’s had sex in a church.”
We all gasped while Candace rolled her eyes. “It was outside of a church, not in it.”
Greer laughed and looked like she was about to say more, but Candace changed the subject by turning me so I could look at myself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. “Are you ready to become Mrs. Hunter Turner?” she asked.
With a deep breath in, I exhaled. “I’ve never been more ready.”
Turning to the door, I stopped when I saw my mother and father standing there.