“Okay, I think we’re almost done.”
Sam opened her eyes and viewed herself in the mirror. She still looked like herself—but like the best polished, prettiest version of herself there had ever been.
“Wow. Thank you.” Sam smiled at both the ladies. “Thank you so much!”
Avery appeared by Sam’s side. “Come and get dressed, and don’t worry about the time. It’s traditional for the bride to be late.”
“But I don’t want poor old HW getting all nervous again,” Sam objected. “He’ll probably pass out. How long have we got?”
“About fifteen minutes,” January called out as she dressed the baby in a sailor suit. “You’ll be fine.”
Sam went into the bathroom to pee and put on the important basics before she got into the wedding dress. She took off her bathrobe and changed her woolen socks for a pair of long white knee-high ones Ruth had knitted specially for her. She needed something between her prosthetic foot and the leather of the boot, and nylon wouldn’t hack it. Her white cowboy boots with silver embroidery were beautiful. She didn’t really look sexy, but HW wouldn’t care.
She added a new bra and the under petticoat January had obviously ironed for her and went back into the bedroom. Some of her friends had gone down to the wedding venue leaving just her main attendants all wearing dresses in their favorite colors and carrying coordinating posies.
“Ah, there you are,” Yvonne said. “Come over here by the mirror and close your eyes so I don’t damage your makeup when I put the dress over your head.”
“Okay,” Sam obliged, shivering as the cold fabric of the dress slipped over her skin. She opened her eyes and blinked hard. “Hey! This isn’t January’s dress.”
“I know.” Yvonne was beaming at her. “I couldn’t bear to see you trying to be so brave about not having your own wedding dress, so I went and got you this one.”
Sam smoothed down the frothy skirts as she fought the strange urge to bawl like a baby. “This is the first dress I tried on. The one I loved.” She turned to Yvonne, her skirts swirling around her. “How on earth did you manage this? It’s even the right length.”
Yvonne made an airy gesture. “I just commandeered my father-in-law-to-be’s private jet, made a stop in Vegas at a shop that stocked the same dress, and got them to alter it immediately. Nothing much.”
Sam rushed over and gave Yvonne a hug. “Thank you,” she whispered. “That was the most awesome thing to do for me ever.”
Yvonne kissed her cheek. “You’re welcome. Now, let’s make sure it fits properly. Avery is standing by with her needle and thread if you need to make any last-minute alterations.”
“And I’m quite good at it,” Avery piped up. “I’ve literally sewn people into their wedding gowns.” She helped Yvonne fluff out Sam’s skirts, and took a slow walk around her. “I think this looks good to go.”
“How does it feel, Sam?” Yvonne asked.
Sam looked in the mirror. The boat neck of the dress sat nicely over her collarbones and the half-lace sleeves hid the scars left by the explosion on her upper arms. The bodice was fitted, but the skirts were wide with several layers of chiffon, lace, and silk panels cut like the petals of a flower. It was the most beautiful thing Sam had ever seen.
“I love it,” Sam said in a hushed voice. “I look like a cowgirl princess.” She turned to grin at all her friends, some of whom were actually shedding a tear. “Enjoy it while it lasts because I doubt I’ll ever look like this again!”
Yvonne clapped her hands. “Then perhaps we’d better take some pictures so we don’t forget.”
* * *
HW fiddled with the collar of his new shirt again and Ry nudged him.
“Stop it.”
“I’m not doing anything,” HW muttered. “What time is it?”
“Five minutes after twelve. Plenty of time for the bride to arrive,” Ry said soothingly.
“I’m not sure what’s taking so long,” HW said. “She only has to walk across the yard.”
“She’ll be here. Don’t worry. Everyone else is in place now.”
Ry sounded way too confident, but HW couldn’t keep turning around and staring at the assembled guests every ten seconds. He guessed he’d just have to be patient.
As it was a family wedding, and it was such a beautiful day, Avery and January had decided to hold the ceremony outside in the garden attached to the guest center at the ranch. Rows of chairs framed a center aisle that was laid with a blue carpet. Fragrant flowers surrounded the space, both in the flowerbeds, and in the beautiful arrangements Daisy Miller had provided. Soft music played in the background and everything was perfect.
Maybe too perfect . . .
The hairs on the back of HW’s neck rose, as there was a small disturbance at the back of the space. Moments later, the music changed, and an arrangement of “She’s a Little Bit Country” started playing, which made HW want to laugh out loud. He suspected he wasn’t the rock and roll person mentioned in the song, but Sam’s very own country boy.
Too afraid to turn around in case he spooked her, HW stared fixedly at the Morgantown pastor who was now standing right in front of him. Ry turned and grinned at Sam as she approached the dais on her father’s arm. From what HW could tell, she had a white cowboy hat with a little veil and embroidered silver boots. The rest of her was in white.
Sam kissed her father
