“Busy as usual. And you?”
“Been good. Gigi has been keeping me busy setting up a new studio for her painting.”
Gigi laughed and batted his arm. “Oh, listen to you. I was happy painting in the front room but you insisted I have my own space. Don’t believe a word he says, Liam. He spends more time playing the stock market than building my studio. That’s the real reason it’s taking him so long.”
Liam smiled and a friendly silence settled over them as they walked to the church door together.
“Hear you’ve taken up a part-time job.” Atticus smoothed his moustache down as he spoke.
Liam stared at him, trying to get an understanding of where this was going. “Maybe.”
Atticus kept his steady gaze on him. “I trust you with my girl, Liam. She’s not been the same since she came home. Maybe you can get that sparkle back in her eyes.”
Gigi touched a hand to his arm and spoke softly. “You always had a way with her, Liam. Just be gentle, okay?”
The weight of their expectations felt heavy on his shoulders, but he was willing to try and get through to her.
Drew came out of the church. “Is everyone here?” He glanced down the road. “Where the heck is Aggie?”
Gigi spoke up. “We offered to bring her but she wanted to walk by herself.”
Drew groaned. “She’d better not let me down. I don’t need my sister throwing April’s well-laid plans into chaos.” He looked down the path and up the road toward their house.
Liam couldn’t see her and held up his hand. “I’ll go and get her.”
“Thanks, pal.”
Liam pulled his keys out of his pocket as he hurried back to his car. He jumped in and headed back toward the Hopes’ home. There was no sign of her along the way and there was only one route to the little church, so he couldn’t have missed her. He pulled up and parked before running up the stairs. He lifted his hand to knock when Aggie walked into the kitchen, saw him and jolted.
Not again. Lately, all he did was scare her. Liam was starting to get a complex.
He slid open the sliding door. “Sorry, didn’t mean to do that again. Drew is freaking out because you’re the only one not at the church yet.” He walked over to her and noticed her damp hair, her makeup free cheeks.
“I’m not late, am I?” She glanced at the kitchen clock over the stove and cursed. “Damn it. Sorry. I was enjoying a long soak in the shower and time got away from me.”
“Not to worry. I’ll give you a lift.”
She gave him a wary glance. “Thanks.” She smoothed a hand over her hair and sighed. “No time to change I guess?”
Liam shook his head and looked at the faded jeans and knit sweater. “You look fine.” She’d never look anything other than spectacular as far as he was concerned.
Aggie walked out and waited for him to follow so she could shut the door. Then she followed him down the steps to his car. When they were on their way to the church, she glanced over at him. “Thanks for last night.”
Liam laughed. “For barging in without an invitation? Any time.”
Aggie blushed. “No, silly. For not leaving me alone when I was freaking out.” She lifted her arm and leaned it against the door, resting her chin in her palm.
“I don’t want you to feel alone, Aggie. I told you that and I mean it. I’m here for you.” Liam pulled into the church parking lot and stopped the car. “Listen, can I take you for a drink or something to eat when we finish here?”
Aggie dropped her head, staring into her lap. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Before Liam could reply, Drew ran down the path, opened the door and gestured for them to get out. “Sheesh, talk about making an entrance. That’s supposed to be the bride’s job.”
“Sorry. I was enjoying a hot shower and completely forgot the time.” Aggie slid out of the car and waited for Liam to lock the doors.
“Hurry up, you two. Pastor Richards is getting anxious and April is fit to be tied.” Drew walked up ahead of them, beckoning with rapid movements.
“We’ll discuss this later.” Liam grabbed her hand and pulled her up the path where the rest of the family was milling around the door.
“Is everyone here now?” Father Richards clasped his hands in front of his stomach, a pinched look on his face.
“Yes. Sorry, Father. Didn’t mean to hold you up.” Drew did his best to placate the perpetually nervous man and Liam grinned behind his back. He was going to be a wreck on the day of the wedding.
“No problem. Right, let’s have you and your best man down at the front of the church please, Drew. April, you wait here with Mr. Hope and your bridesmaid. When Mrs. Beetson starts the music, I’ll give the signal and away we go. Everyone understand?”
Heads nodded.
“You have the vows already written I hope, Drew? It might seem rushed but there’s only two weeks to go.”
Drew patted his pocket. “Yes, sir.”
“Right, let’s get going then.” Father Richards walked briskly down to the pulpit of his church and took his position.
Forty minutes later, they could all relax.
“That looked stressful.” Liam found it hard to keep a straight face as he stood with Drew outside the church after the rehearsal was over.
“You think it was stressful? You should be in my shoes.” Drew shuddered, not realizing he was being teased. “I keep having this nightmare that April will say no and I wake up in a cold sweat.”
“As if. You two have been headed this way for years. Sure there was a little bump in the road when she married someone else, but you got there in the end.” He watched the bride-to-be talking with Aggie and Gigi.
“I guess.
