“Sounds good.” Buck reached for the door handle. “Good luck today.”
“Thanks!” He figured he was already the luckiest man in the world.
“For me?” Wyoming said when Cass pressed a small envelope into her hands. “From your mom?”
Cass was shaking, and there were tears in her eyes. “There were letters for all of us. Wye, I didn’t think there were any more to come. When she died, the lawyer gave one to each of us, but that’s it. I know she left a stack of them for the General, but I’ve never seen those.”
“Why would she write one for me? How could she even know—?”
“See, you’re part of the magic after all,” Cass told her. “You have been from the start. Should we both read ours now?”
“Okay.”
Wyoming was still in her robe. Sadie had taken charge of Elise this morning, telling her to rest for her big day. Soon she’d get up and shower and start the process of doing makeup and hair for the wedding. She scooted back to lean against the headboard of her bed and patted the mattress next to her.
Cass joined her, sitting cross-legged on the comforter. She opened the envelope addressed to her. “Go on; read yours,” she told Wyoming.
Wyoming opened hers and began to scan Amelia’s beautiful handwriting.
Dear Wyoming, she read with a squeeze of her heart.
I wanted to tell you how happy I am that you are in my daughter’s life. Cass needed a good friend, and you came along to teach her that she isn’t alone in the world and she doesn’t have to keep such close watch on everything and everyone around her.
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
