I know she depends on you, and I know having you close by has made a world of difference. I can sense her laughter from here and her sense of well-being; you are a big part of that.
Which brings me to you. It’s your turn now to lean on others. Remember that at Two Willows, you are surrounded by those who love you for exactly who you are. You don’t need to be tough or independent, although those are fine qualities for any woman. You can express your needs. You can ask for help. It will be given joyfully.
When you took Emerson on as a partner, I’m sure you knew you took the General on as well. He isn’t quite the gruff old bear he pretends to be. Your children will bring him as much joy as the rest of his grandchildren, and soon you’ll learn what an asset a mellow old man can be to a lively household.
I know you and Emerson will be very happy together. I wish the very best to both of you.
Wyoming, as one who has met you as a little girl more than once, let me assure you that you have always been worthy of love. Your parents’ problems are their own and no reflection on you. Go forward with a confident, happy heart and know that you are you—and you are wonderful.
Love,
Amelia
Wye looked up to find Cass in tears, and she set her letter down to hug her friend, clearing her throat before she could speak.
“What did she say to you?”
“That she loves me. That she’s proud. That she knows all I did to try to raise my sisters the way she wanted to raise us. That I am good enough.” Cass broke down in sobs. “I wish she was here. I wish she could see my baby when it’s born.”
“I know.”
A quiet knock at the door announced Cass’s sisters. They filed in silently, closing the door behind them, and climbed onto the bed in a huddle of arms and tears.
“She loved us so much,” Jo gasped finally. “Why did she have to die so young?”
“I don’t ever want to leave my baby,” Cass said. “If I do, all of you have to promise—to promise—”
Wyoming hugged her harder, then stretched out her arms to try and take all of the sisters into them at once. Squashed together, their tears turned to laughter. “We’re all in this together,” Wyoming pronounced. “We’ll all watch out for each other—and for each other’s families. None of us will ever have to feel lonely again.”
“Mom said she knows I’m taking good care of the garden,” Sadie said, sniffing a little.
“She said she wishes she could have one of my puppies,” Jo said. “I wish she could, too.”
“She said she’s glad I met a man who lets me be me,” Lena said.
“I feel like she’s here right now,” Alice said.
They were all quiet a moment, feeling Amelia’s presence. Wye felt Cass squeeze her hand.
“If Mom was here, she’d tell us to get going and get ready for Wye’s wedding,” Cass said finally. The spell was broken, and they shifted apart, untangling themselves from each other.
“Where’s Elise?” Wyoming asked.
“Hunter’s got her. They’re downstairs,” Jo said.
“Go take your shower,” Cass told Wyoming. “Time to make you beautiful.”
Wyoming folded her letter and put it back in its envelope, tucking it away with her things to read again later.
She was part of the magic now.
And she was happy.
Several hours later, Wye stood in the hall outside the front room, waiting to walk between the rows of chairs they’d set up for guests and to take her vows. Her stomach was full of butterflies, and she thought she might faint, but Cass, Alice, Lena, Sadie and Jo stood near her, the familiar green bridesmaid dresses making them look younger than their years.
When the General approached, Wye stepped aside to let him pass into the front room, where he could take his seat. To her surprise, he stopped in front of her.
“I wasn’t here to walk Cass down the aisle. Or Jo, Sadie or Lena. I regret that. I wish it hadn’t taken an injury to get me home for Alice’s wedding, either. No more regrets. From now on I’m here for all my girls. That includes you, Wyoming, and my beautiful granddaughter, Elise, and all the other grandchildren that will arrive at Two Willows. I won’t make the same mistakes again.”
He crooked his arm, and she took hold of it, tears stinging against her eyelids once more. She’d told herself she wouldn’t mind walking down the aisle alone because Emerson was at the end of it, but she was more grateful than she could say for the General’s steadying arm.
“Ready?” Cass asked, taking her place at the head of the line. Her sisters arrayed themselves after her.
“Ready,” Wye said clearly.
Chapter 12
‡
All the furniture in the front room had been removed, although the Christmas tree remained in one corner. Folding chairs had been placed in rows to seat their guests. An archway, decorated with pine boughs and ribbons, stood at the head of the room.
Reverend Halpern greeted Emerson as he took his place. Brian, Logan, Hunter and Jack came to stand up with him. Connor started the bridal march playing through his phone, which was connected to speakers placed throughout the room, and the music swelled. He took his place next to the other men.
Emerson nodded to Megan, who held Elise on her lap in the first row. She’d insisted on taking charge of the little girl during the ceremony.
A bustle in the doorway from the hall had him straightening, his breath catching when Cass stepped into the doorway in a spring-green bridesmaid gown that Alice had tailored to accommodate her baby bump. She stepped slowly down the aisle between the chairs, followed by Alice, Lena, Sadie and Jo.
Then Wyoming stepped through the door in a wedding gown Emerson knew had once belonged to Amelia Reed. All five of her daughters had worn it.
With its newly beaded bodice and flowing skirts, it suited Wye perfectly as she stepped down the aisle on the General’s arm.
The General leaned on his cane as he walked, but he held his head high. When he reached the altar, he placed Wyoming’s hand in his.
“I’m happy for both of you,” he said and took his seat by his daughters.
Cass moved to the side, and she and Brian stood sentry while Emerson and Wyoming faced the reverend.
“Dearly Beloved,” Halpern began.
Emerson’s heart thumped loud in his chest as he listened to the familiar words, and when it was his turn to speak his vows, he said them clearly. Every word was true. He did pledge his life to Wye. He would stick with her no matter what happened. He did plan to spend forever and always with her.
Gladly.
This was the woman he’d always dreamed of finding. The life he’d always wanted to live.
He’d found love. He’d found a family.
He couldn’t ask for anything more.
Wyoming knew from the first swell of the music that every moment of her wedding would surpass her wildest dreams. She’d hoped to find a partner with whom to live her life.
She’d never thought she’d find a soul mate, a houseful of sisters and friends, a surrogate father—
She never thought she’d belong anywhere so completely.
Two Willows had pulled her in until she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Cass and her sisters had taught her what it was to have a family.