“Everything okay?” Maddie asked, giving her a worried look.
“Oh, fine, fine. You know me, always thinking about the flowers, wanting to be sure that everything is perfect.” She supposed she had gotten off easily, with Candy not asking for last-minute changes.
“I have a feeling that nothing will ruin this day for Candy.”
“It’s the happiest day of her life, or so she keeps saying.” Gabby smiled a little sadly now. The happiest day of her life. It was that, and not because of the flowers and the dresses, but because of the people who had all come to watch this union, to support it, and to celebrate it.
She felt her eyes mist and she had to look away before Maddie saw—a sharp cookie, that one.
Instead, she turned her attention to her cousin now that they’d reached the parking lot of the small stone chapel along the lake’s shore. “Are you and your sisters okay?” She knew that they all still missed their mother, each in their own way.
Maddie gave her a little smile. “Life doesn’t always go the way you thought it would, but somehow…well, somehow things still work out, you know?”
Gabby waved her cousin off and focused on the work at hand. Now, she turned off the ignition and collected the first box from the back of the van, opting to set it on the ground before closing it shut. She hadn’t dropped an arrangement since her first year in business and she didn’t intend to take any risks today.
No, today was a day for playing it safe. Today and maybe every day.
As Maddie had wisely pointed out, some guests did start to arrive early. Jackson was getting out of his car, and he gallantly stepped in to take the box from her arms. The gesture reminded her of Doug’s equally chivalrous behavior the other night—it felt like a long time ago.
“Everything okay?” Jackson gave her a worried frown.
Gabby was starting to notice a theme to the day, and it wasn’t the one that Candy had so carefully planned. She’d certainly need to adjust her demeanor before the bride showed up, which wouldn’t be long now.
Gabby reached for another box, not looking to open up just now. No, better to remember that she was on the job, even if this was a family event. “Just tired. Candy’s wedding has been a long time coming.”
He smirked. “What on earth will she have to keep herself busy with after this?”
“Meddling in my love life, probably.” Gabby adjusted the weight of the box in her arms as they walked toward the stone chapel.
“Just so long as she doesn’t meddle in mine,” Jackson said.
Gabby didn’t bother to point out that if Candy had her way, she and Jackson would have a few “beautiful babies” together. Instead, she turned the attention off herself and said, “And how is your love life going?”
“Tourist season.” His grin quirked, and she rolled her eyes dramatically as he opened the door for her.
Yep, that was Jackson for you.
“Where do you want these?” he asked, once they were inside.
“On those steps would be great,” Gabby said. She knew that the procession would start from here, first with the bridesmaids, and then of course with Candy. As there was no flower girl, Gabby took the liberty of sprinkling the aisle with pink rose petals.
“Want me to save you a seat?” Jackson asked as the music from the piano began to fill the walls. Gabby looked over to see that Jenna was already seated at the bench—she must have slipped in through the side door.
Gabby nodded. “Thanks.” Candy might read into it, but right now, she didn’t care. Jackson was a friend and a friend he would always be.
Some people weren’t meant to be anything more than that, she thought sadly.
She made a few more runs to the van, and once she was satisfied that the chapel was decorated to her liking, she stood in the vestibule, watching as the guests filtered in, checking her watch frequently. Her mother was one of the last guests to arrive, and she looked elegant in a soft blush dress.
“I rode over with your father. He and Dennis went around the side door.”
It was nearly time, then. Gabby couldn’t fight the wave of anticipation.
“I’d better go in. I’ll save you a seat.”
Gabby understood what that meant. One seat. Jenna would be accompanying the procession on piano for the duration of the ceremony, and Brooke would be sitting with Kyle, of course.
“Try to get a seat near Jackson. He’s saving a seat for me.” She waited for her mother’s eyes to spring open, a smile to curve her mouth.
Instead, her mother nodded. “I’ll look for him. He’s a good friend to you, I know.”
He was. But right now, Gabby’s chest hurt when she thought of the other man who had been a good friend to her, but nothing more.
Gabby looked down at her phone to distract herself. She had already received three texts from Brooke. The last one was to let her know that the limo was pulling up. A moment later, Brooke came through the door, cheeks flushed, eyes a little bright.
Gabby’s breath caught when she looked at her sister. “Everything okay with the dress?”
“It’s perfect. I didn’t change a thing, despite all her doubts, and she has waited until today to tell me it is perfect.”
Gabby laughed. “Kyle came in a while ago. You’d better get to your seat before she changes her mind.”
Brooke nodded and wasted no time disappearing through the double set of wooden doors.
Gabby opened them to peak a look inside, her heart swelling when she saw Jenna at the piano in a demure navy dress, looking so serious yet relaxed as she played the songs that Candy had carefully selected without missing a key. The benches were mostly filled now, and from the side door came Gabby’s father, followed by Uncle Dennis.
Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly closed the door and hurried
