Every layer of Natalie’s gorgeous dress was in place as she seemed to float down the aisle of stepping-stones. A light breeze brushed the tendrils of soft brown curls around her face as she gazed at Brock and took his hand.
Lorea smoothed out the train as bride and groom took their places at the altar, the remnants of a burned-out log from the forest fire. The hem of the gown moved easily, but it was hard for me to grasp all that had happened since I discovered the diamonds.
I caught Walter’s eye and he smiled, but I could tell he still carried the weight of his cousin’s crimes. Walter had returned from Belgium just a few days before with a batch of legal diamonds he planned to sell in his jewelry store. He was crushed when he learned of the attempt on my life and the crimes surrounding the wedding gowns he’d helped bring to our peaceful valley.
Lorea and I were looking into other options for specialty wedding gowns we could carry in the shop, and she had ordered some beautiful fabric with the idea of trying her hand at creating her own designs.
My wedding planning business looked solid for the next year. None of the bookings would be as lucrative as Natalie’s, but they would pay the bills. The happy thought was that none of the prospective brides came close to Sylvia’s attitude or penchant for trouble.
Things were definitely looking better, except in the matter of my confused emotions. I’d been too busy to spend much time feeling sorry for myself. That thought brought my attention back to the present. The pastor was nearing the end of the vows, and I perked up, watching the photographer to make sure he would get a clear shot of their first kiss as a married couple.
Brock whooped and then punched the air as he covered Natalie’s mouth with a kiss. Everyone laughed and cheered for the new Mr. and Mrs. Grafton. I felt truly happy for Natalie. She deserved to have her dreams come true. I caught Lorea wiping her eyes—maybe her hardened shell had a few cracks in it.
The rest of the evening was a blur as I ran from one person to the next, supervising the takedown of the wedding and moving guests to the reception at Brock’s home. When I pulled around to Brock’s six-car garage, I took a moment to admire the fantastic sunset tinting the sky with dark orange and pink highlights. I hurried to Brock’s garden and pool house and appreciated the joint effort of so many highly skilled workers.
Twinkle lights wound through the rose garden and across the canopy over the seating area. Once the sun disappeared and darkness set in, the place would be stunning. The table near the entrance to the backyard was covered with smooth river rocks of varying sizes and permanent markers. Each guest would be invited to sign the “Stepping-Stones to a Happy Marriage” and include some advice. Natalie loved the idea of incorporating the setting of their ceremony into the “guest book” and planned on using the stones to line one of Brock’s rose gardens.
“How are you holding up?” Lorea asked as she came up behind me with a box of supplies for last-minute touchups.
“I feel good. This turned out better than I could’ve imagined.”
“I’ve been worried about you.” Lorea paused. “I’m sure it’s hard seeing Luke.”
I started to shake my head, but she held up her hand. “I just wanted to tell you that you can trust your heart. Dallas can’t hurt you anymore.” She studied my face with a half smile. “Enough about that. I also wanted to say that you outdid yourself. The wedding was perfect.”
I followed Lorea into the house, saving the response I wanted to give to the sigh hanging on the end of her words. When she set the box down, I hugged her instead. “Thank you for looking after me. I know it’s been hard, but I appreciate it.”
“What are friends for?” Lorea said. “Now, let’s go party.”
She pulled me outside to do the final check before the guests arrived. I grabbed the bulky wedding gift I had prepared for the happy couple. Usually, I presented my gift to the couple just before their big day, but my creative juices had run dry after Dallas’s attack. I turned to my mom and her Craft Monster for inspiration, and she had finished the gift just in time.
We found Natalie and Brock moving into place under an archway of pink climbing roses. They would have an old-fashioned receiving line for the first hour, and then the dancing would begin.
Brock had his arm around his bride. He nuzzled her cheek, and she giggled. Natalie’s smile widened as I approached. “I don’t know how this day could get any better.”
“I do.” Brock tightened his grip on Natalie, and she blushed.
“I brought you a gift.” I held the box wrapped in silver paper. “I apologize that I couldn’t find a better time to give it to you.”
“Adri, that’s so kind of you—and this is great timing,” Natalie responded as she and Brock opened the gift. “Oh, how did you find something so perfect?”
Brock lifted out the antique window frame by the silk ribbons attached to the back. The light caught the black vinyl lettering of their wedding date and “Brock & Natalie Forever.” Natalie traced her finger over the pressed wildflowers and leaves between the panes of glass that we had carefully arranged and sealed as a memento. “I love it.”
“My mom helped me make it. She’s really craftsy.”
“So that’s where you learned it.” Natalie hugged me. “Thanks.”
“Thank you, ladies, for making this day exceptional,” Brock said.
“I wish every couple was as fun to work with as you two have been.”
“Me too,” Lorea said. “But enough wishing. Let’s get out of the way so the photographer can take more
