Her heart stuttered. Oh, no…
“Addie,” he said as he took both of her hands in his and her throat closed up so much she could hardly breathe. “You’ve been through a lot and I know you’ve said you’re okay, but I’m worried about you and…” His eyes dropped as he brushed his boot over the green grass. “There’s something I want to say, I’m just not sure how to say it.”
Dread curdled her stomach. She had wanted to tell him not to say it. That whatever it was, they could conquer it, but she couldn’t speak.
When he lowered to one knee and gazed up at her with so much love glittering in his beautiful eyes, her heart had thudded into her breastbone and a joyful smile tugged at her lips.
“I love you, Addie,” he’d said, his deep voice and normally steady hands both trembled as he pulled a small, red velvet box from his pocket. Addie inhaled sharply and pressed her hand to her open mouth, stunned, as he popped open the lid to reveal a delicately designed engagement ring. The diamonds had sparkled in the afternoon light as her eye’s filled with tears. “I want you by my side,” Cade continued. “I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Will you let me?” He shook his head. “That didn’t come out right. I mean… Will you marry me, Addie?”
She’d been so overcome with emotion, her reply had been a garbled choke that had her coughing and crying at the same time.
“Please tell me those are happy tears,” he’d said, only half joking.
She had dropped to her knees, her arms around his neck, kissing his face and crying like a sap. It had taken her a few seconds to clear the lump in her throat, but she wasted no time in accepting. “Yes, yes, yes!” A life with Cade was everything she had ever wanted. He was everything she wanted, and she’d told him so.
The memory of his proposal brought a smile to Addie’s face as she adjusted the bell skirt of her strapless wedding dress, waiting for her cue to join her bridesmaids in walking down the aisle. The twinkle of her engagement ring—two thin bands, one set with tiny diamonds and the other, plain white gold, were woven together and swirled around a perfect-sized, princess cut diamond that Addie loved—glinted in the sun, drawing her eyes. Nervously, she ran her hands over the beads and crystals that adorned the bodice of her dress in a delicate swirling pattern, liking how the design complimented the elegant ring on her finger—as beautiful as the man who’d given it to her.
“You look like a princess,” Cord said from the kitchen to her left.
She jumped and turned wide eyes toward him. Like Cade would be, Cord was dressed in a tux and black cowboy hat. He looked almost as handsome as she imagined Cade would be when she saw him.
She smiled and twirled around. “I feel like one.”
He chuckled as he stepped up to her and kissed her cheek.
“But what are you doing in here?” she asked with a worried frown. “I thought all you boys were outside.”
“I was,” he said, patting his hip pocket, “but I forgot something small and round and sparkly upstairs.”
Resting her hands on her hips, she gave him her best mock frown. “So you’re the one who’s holding up the show.”
He grinned shyly. “I didn’t want to ruin your day.”
Dropping her arms back to her sides, she shook her head. “You could never do that, Cord.”
“Yeah, well, my track record isn’t all that great.”
She tilted her head and lowered her brows. She didn’t like the note of defeat she detected in his voice.
“Where’s Bethany?”
“She’s with Zack’s mom. Aside from you and Cade, Mrs. MacEntier is about the only other person Bethany will tolerate.”
“She loves her daddy,” Addie said with a smile.
The grin that lit his face was like the sun brightening a dreary day. “That little girl’s my whole world.”
“I’m glad,” Addie said and meant it. His first few months after the infant’s mother had basically dropped the baby on his doorstep and took off had been rocky and, despite his misgivings about keeping Bethany with him, about being a single father, Cord had stuck it out with wonderful results.
“Enough about me,” he said as his blue eyes brightened with his smile. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”
She hugged him. “Thank you, Cord… Thanks for everything.”
“You’re family, Addie. You have been since you rescued my brother from his wandering. There’s no need to thank me.”
“You’re so sweet.” She patted his cheek affectionately. “But I know this has been a lot of work for everyone. I just want you to know how much I appreciate your help and support.”
“That’s what brothers are for,” he said, pulling her in for another hug. When he stepped back, his eyes were suspiciously shiny. “I’m proud to call you my sister.” He straightened his suit jacket as his eyes swept over her again. “My brother’s a lucky man.” He sounded so lonely and sad. “I wish you both the best. I always will.”
“You’ll find someone someday, too, Cord,” she said as he tipped his black hat in farewell and stepped out the sliding glass door. As the best man, he was on his way to the flower-covered cedar arch in the massive backyard where the ceremony would take place.
“I hope so,” he said, then smiled again, and was gone. She knew enough of Cord’s story to know he’d had his heart broken, too. Because she loved him like the brother he’d become, Addie ached for him and the pain he carried, but she had no doubt the right woman would find him someday.
Straightening her back, she sighed. Today was not a day of sadness. Today is a happy day, she told herself, then wiggled her toes and giggled. Cord had called her a princess, but no one
