Emerald Eyes

by Rebekah Shelton

Chapter 14 - Shots

  Sunday morning after brunch, Jim was escorting Gracey around the garden while she cut a fresh bouquet of flowers for her room. “I heard the howls last night,” Gracey told Jim. “They reminded me of a howl I heard in Africa. It was you, wasn’t it?” Gracey asked.

  “Guilty as charged,” Jim confessed. “The first day Stone arrived, that night, I could sense your anxiety and your fear. I knew the things Stone was saying and what you were thinking was painful for you. I had to find a release. I needed to howl. Once I turned, I thought about the animals on the reserve. I always wanted to go on a real hunt; a real safari.”

  “Did you kill those animals?” Gracey inquired.

  “I am afraid so. Elmer and I have been hunting cows in the meadow for years. Occasionally, deer wander through, but I wanted to hunt, really hunt much like I did back in Colorado.”

  “Cows? Stone and I joked about hunting cows while we were reading Abby’s books. Do you honestly hunt cows?” Gracey asked as she attempted to stifle a laugh.

  “Pretty lame, huh? Jim nodded. "The first night I killed a couple of animals which had gotten close to the village. I was not used to chasing African wildlife, and they, well, we got too close to the village and its denizens. The second night, I went after the antelope which ruined the tour Stone took us on. When Stone rushed you out of Africa, there were no more safaris, no more killings.”

  Jim stopped and looked at Gracey. “Are you afraid of me?” Jim asked with apprehension, fearful of her reply.

  “I thought I would be,” Gracey confessed. “But last night, when I saw you in wolf form, I wasn’t scared; especially when I saw Abby lick Rudy’s face. It was so docile and loving.”

  Dr. Robertson arrived late Friday to draw blood from Jim and Elmer. He would use the blood to turn Charles into a wolf. Charles had asked the entire family to be present for the event. Celia declined. Even though she had been ensured everything would be fine, Celia did not want to be nearby if anything went wrong.

  Jim had sired Elmer, but Charles did not want to decide who his sire would be or even know who it would be. For this reason, Dr. Robertson would draw blood from both Jim and Elmer. Charles would pick a random vial.

  Charles was a bit nervous not liking needles. “Just think Gracey, now you will have three blood brothers.”

  Gracey looked at Charles perplexed. “Three?”

  “Rafer turned Jim, Jim turned Elmer, and now one of them will turn me. All four of us will be connected, like blood brothers and sisters.”

  “Brothers…wow my family is getting bigger by the minute,” Gracey replied with an uneasy smile.

  Dr. Robertson pulled a vial of blood from both Jim and Elmer. With his back to the group, he transferred both vials to new hypodermic needles. Dr. Robertson had intentionally ensured the vials had the same color rubber stopper and had rolled them around in his hands several times to ensure anonymity. Turning to Charles with a needle in each hand, Dr. Robertson asked, “Right or left?”

  Charles stared at both needles and with a deep breath chose the one in Dr. Robertson’s left hand. Dr. Robertson put the remaining needle onto the table behind him and moved to Charles to inject him with the blood.

  Just as the needle entered Charles' arm and everyone was occupied with Dr. Robertson and Charles, Rudy stepped back quietly and picked up the second needle. He pushed up his sleeve to inject himself with the remaining blood.

  Abby noticed Rudy and the needle and knocked it out of his hand yelling out, “No one will turn you but me!” Abby knocked Rudy to the ground and bit him on the shoulder.

  The rest of the group froze, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Rudy lay on the floor calm and content, smiling; growling sexily in total satisfaction. His plan had worked. Rudy would spend another lifetime with the love of his life.

  The weekend was spent preparing for the full moon. It would be the first time turning for Rudy and Charles. And Dr. Robertson would be giving Gracey and Stone their monthly shot.

  Due to both Rudy and Charles turning, the security logistics were perplexing. Normally a new wolf would have the help of their sire to guide them through the first turn. But not knowing who Charles' sire was, it led to a conundrum. Who would be coaching Charles through the change and who would stay behind in wolf form to protect Gracey?

  It was finally decided both Jim and Elmer would be Charles’ coaches, and then one would stay behind. The decision as to who would patrol would be determined at the last minute. Abby would coach Rudy through the change. Ms. Maple would sit with Gracey as normal. Stone would take his shot and stay in his suite.

  The full moon was the night before the Independence Day celebration; thus allowing everyone to sleep in late the next day. The staff would prepare a late brunch, and then the family would cook out for dinner.

  Rudy, Abby, Stone, and Gracey ate dinner together. Stone and Gracey both had their customary rare steak. Rudy and Abby ate a light dinner as both would be hunting later. After dinner, Gracey and Stone went upstairs and prepared for Dr. Robertson and the inoculation to prevent them from changing into wolves. Gracey would also be given a painkiller as the first day of her cycle coincided with the full moon. It was actually the shot which stopped the turn which caused the additional menstrual pain.

  After dressing for bed, Stone and Gracey sat together in her suite pending Dr. Robertson's arrival. It was their first time together getting the shot. They were more apprehensive of each other's pain, instead of their own. It had been decided they would spend the night in their own suites. Gracey and Stone had not spent a night apart since the first kidnapping attempt, and neither was happy about being separated but knew it was for the best. Seeing each other's torment would be agonizing for both of them. Gracey hoped now that she knew the reason for the pain and was mentally ready for it, she would be able to cope better.

  Dr. Robertson arrived and gave Gracey her shots first. Her torture commenced almost immediately. The opiates barely dulled the pain. Stone looked at Dr. Robertson and yelled, “Make it stop.”

  Dr. Robertson replied, “You know there is only one way, and it is her decision to make; not yours.”

  Gracey let Stone know she would be fine; tomorrow. "I have done this every month since I turned fourteen, I can do it again,” Gracey reassured Stone through her clenched teeth.

  Dr. Robertson then gave Stone his shot. While Stone felt some discomfort, his wolf fighting its submission, Stone knew his pain was nothing compared to Gracey's suffering. Ms. Maple escorted Dr. Robertson out and then instructed Stone to go to his suite. Ms. Maple would watch over Gracey. Stone was disinclined to obey but left. Thirty minutes later Stone was back at Gracey's side. He could not bear the separation.

  The would-be pack gathered at the stable. Abby had set up a makeshift dressing room for her privacy while changing. Growing up in a pack, she was used to the males of the pack stripping and turning in front of her, but the group decided Abby would change inside the stable when it was her time to turn.

  Jim and Elmer gave Charles one more pep talk and turned into their wolf forms. Abby stayed human to help by talking to Charles until his inner wolf connected with Jim and Elmer. Then, whoever was taking perimeter watch would turn human, and Abby would turn wolf, so she could connect with Rudy's inner wolf and guide him.

  Abby started talking to Charles. “Just relax. The pull of the moon will make the change for you. Since it is the first full moon after the summer solstice, the moon's pull will be stronger. Jim and Elmer's inner wolves will magnify the pull. Just breathe and relax.”

  It took a few minutes before Charles could hear one of the wolves. At first, he could not tell if it was Jim or Elmer. But whoever it was, he was telling him to hurry, it was hungry. Charles laughed, and as he did, the change happened, and Charles howled in pain and relief almost simultaneously.

  Well, it is about time, Charles heard and then another voice, Kudos on being a new f
ather, Elmer!

  Father? Elmer called out.

  Yes, the new wolf always hears his sire first so congrats, it is a bouncing baby wolf. It is time for me to get dressed. I have guard duty tonight. Jim sauntered behind the stable, to turn human and redress.

  "Charles got Elmer's blood,” Abby announced to Rudy and then addressed Jim. "They are both going to be mad we did not fill them in on that tidbit of information. Who won the bet, Jim?"

  "Elmer did," Jim replied slightly miffed about losing twenty dollars.

  "Let me turn, and we will get this husband of mine on all fours,” Abby smirked with a touch of arrogance and walked into the stable to turn.

  As Charles made the turn, both Gracey and Stone could feel it. Gracey cried out in pain. Stone cringed as well but hearing Gracey’s scream, he sat up. “I can feel them,” Gracey told Stone. “I felt Charles turn.”

  “I did too,” Stone confirmed. They sat on the bed holding each other while waiting for the pain to abate.

  Elmer and Charles arrived in the meadow first. We have a few cows delivered as wildlife is scarce in this area. Sometimes a few deer wanders through, but cows are delivered to ensure we have fresh meat. I prefer the venison, but in the summer, we do not see as many deer.

  I normally like my steak well done, Charles complained, wincing.

  Once you get your teeth into that cow, you will feel like you have never truly tasted beef before. Your wolf needs the fresh meat, and blood, so aim for the neck and chomp down hard. Do not think about it. Just let your wolf take control and go along for the ride.

  I thought real wolves went for the hind leg, to cripple their prey? Charles asked.

  We are bigger than real wolves, Elmer replied. We can use our size to our advantage. Crippling the animal takes too long. This is so much quicker, plus the first drink of blood from the carotid artery is the best.

  Charles growled in disapproval but took a deep breath. He cleared his mind, and without realizing it, he found himself leaping through the air and landing open-mouthed on the cow’s neck. He buried his teeth into the cow and at the first taste of blood and hot meat, he growled in contentment. Charles ate until he thought he would burst. As a man, he could eat more than most, and as a wolf, he ate a more than he could imagine.

  I think I will be eating my steaks rare from now on, Charles declared completely sated.

  Abby leaped out of the stable in her silky apricot fur. “Are you ready, Rudy?” Jim asked. Rudy nodded in affirmation and undressed. Jim started the same instructions Abby had told Charles.

  Abby’s wolf was calling to Rudy’s inner wolf. Come on sweetie, time to play! Rudy was ready to turn. He had been ready for decades. Rudy looked at the moon and then to his beautiful wife and with one deep breath turned.

  It was not bad at all, Rudy thought.

  “Great job, Rudy,” Jim told him. “You turned like a pro.”

  Gracey turned to Stone, “Did you feel that?”

  “Yes,” Stone replied. “It hurt him but not much at all, and he was happy,” he added.

  “It was your father. I guess it doesn’t hurt so much if you just relax.”

  Stone looked out the window. He saw his mother in her apricot fur and his father jumping and playing. “Come look, Gracey. Look how happy they are.”

  Gracey looked out the window. “They are happy. It’s actually romantic.” Stone and Gracey both smiled.

  Gracey returned to the bed. Standing, even for a few seconds, the pain was nearly unbearable. Stone lay beside Gracey and softly caressed her abdomen. “Just relax,” Stone whispered softly. Stone glanced at Ms. Maple, and she nodded and smiled in understanding. Gracey would be fine, as long as Stone was there with her. Soon they were asleep in each other’s arms.

  Abby and Rudy took their time getting to the meadow. They were having fun nipping, licking, nudging, and frolicking with each other. They arrived just as Elmer and Charles were finishing a cow between the two of them.

  Let’s grab a drink from the stream and give those two a bit of privacy, Elmer suggested. Charles growled in agreement, and they loped away.

  Are you ready to eat? Abby asked Rudy.

  Hungry enough to eat a cow, Rudy laughed.

  Good because that is what we are having for dinner, Abby announced.

  Ladies first, Rudy offered gentlemanly, but Abby declined.

  You have to do this. It is a crucial part of your first turn. Abby had already coached Rudy on his first kill, and with a low growl he landed as planned and brought down his first prey.

  I guess everyone is eating steak tonight, Rudy quipped.

  Abby and Rudy had barely started eating when they heard the 4th of July fireworks start a night early. They looked up and watch the colors bursting above them. Wow, that was loud! Rudy told Abby.

  Yes, loud noises can be annoying for us in wolf form; even in our human form. Our hearing is much better, Abby reminded Rudy.

  Abby could hear Jim while on patrol, through the noise. It is okay Jim, it is just some fireworks. You can head on back. Rudy and I will be back a bit later, Abby told Jim.

  Abby and Rudy watched the fireworks for a while and returned to their dinner. After dinner and a drink from the spring fed stream, they laid down to enjoy each other’s company and the occasional fireworks display.

  Is it just me or are the fireworks getting closer? Rudy asked.

  It is getting closer, Abby replied. We should head home, she suggested. Both stood on all fours and paused to lick and nuzzle each other. Suddenly a shot rang out. It was closer than they expected.

  Poachers, Rudy growled in anger knowing someone was trespassing.

  Rudy and Abby looked around and could see the beams from several large flood lights coming from the woods north of them, preventing them from leaving the meadow. The meadow was surrounded by a wooded area on one side. The remainder of the meadow was surrounded by a bluff which was impossible to climb or transverse. They were trapped.

  Follow me, Abby told Rudy as she sprinted towards the bluff along the stream. Another shot rang out, and Abby stumbled to the ground. Rudy caught up to Abby and saw blood coming from her hip.

  Get up, Rudy growled at Abby urgently. We have to hide.

  Abby stood and limped. I know where. Abby ran out of the sight of the spotlight and then straight towards the bluff. She circled back toward the stream and found the spot she was searching for. Follow me, she repeated and darted behind a large rock and into a small cave.

  Are you okay? Rudy asked Abby, protectively and with worry.

  It stings a bit, but with it being a normal bullet, not a silver bullet, I will be okay in a few hours. We can hide here until they leave and then head home, Abby reassured Rudy.

  Abby and Rudy lay quietly in the cold, wet cave. They could hear two or three ATVs speeding around the meadow, making lots of noises and shooting off the weapons. They will tire soon, and we will be in our warm, dry bed in no time, Abby told Rudy, moving closer to him trying to stay warm.

  Please relax for a bit and give yourself some time to heal. I will wake you when they leave, Rudy suggested. Abby was hesitant but knew a short nap would help her heal faster. Her wolf would not allow her to turn back to a human. It would ensure her survival. Abby closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep.

  Several hours had passed, and both Abby and Rudy had fallen asleep. Abby was healing, and Rudy was fatigued from his first turn. Jim was still patrolling the house and had not seen the couple return. He checked the stable and Abby's clothes were still there. Jim quickly changed into his wolf form and tried to reach out to the two of them telepathically. Nothing.

  Jim turned human and woke up Elmer. “Rudy and Abby have not returned,” Jim yelled out while Elmer looked at the clock. “They should have been back by now. Their clothes are still in the stable, and I am not picking up their scent coming back into the house,” Jim advised.

  �
��We better check their suite first, before we head out on a wild goose chase,” Elmer suggested. Together they headed to Rudy and Abby's suite. After knocking and not getting a response, Jim opened the door. Their bed had not been slept in. Jim and Elmer spun around and headed back to the stairs.

  Gracey’s pain killers had worn off early, and she was awake. She heard a commotion in the hallway, and opened the door of her suite and stepped into the hall to investigate. Jim and Elmer came to a quick halt. “They’re not back,” Jim announced not thinking first.

  “Stone, wake up. Your parents are missing,” Gracey called out.

  “Where could they be?” Stone wondered, trying not to be alarmed.

  “We left them in the meadow,” Jim told Stone.

  “The meadow, what meadow?” Stone asked as he had never explored the entire property.

  Gracey looked up, having an epiphany. “Did you say the meadow?” Gracey asked. “Do you mean ‘Stone Meadow’?

  “Stone Meadow?” Jim asked.

  “I was reading one of Abby’s books. It was written after Stone was born. Abby wrote of a Stone Meadow and a spring fed stream and a cave. Does this sound familiar?” Gracey asked.

  “There are lots of rocks in the meadow, and there is a stream. But I have never seen a cave,” Jim told the group.

  “I think I know where it is. Abby described it extremely well in her book, and I have a good mental image of where it is. Let me get dressed,” Gracey told everyone ignoring the pain she was still experiencing. “Wait here.”

  Stone ran down the hall and quickly dressed, as well. Soon the four were headed to the meadow. Elmer had turned wolf, and the other three were in Jim’s Jeep MW3. Elmer went the normal route to the meadow while the Jim drove the Jeep to the main road and then to the gate Mr. Kincaid used to deliver the cows.

  The chain was cut, and the gate was open. “This is not good,” Jim declared alarmed. “Sometimes poachers or hunters come out here. It’s been rare over the years, but with it being a holiday, some drunken kids probably broke in.”

  Jim sped down the dirt road and soon entered the meadow. The sun was barely coming up. Elmer was still in wolf form and met them at the point the access road met the meadow. Stone was using the flood light to search the meadow.

  “Follow the stream to the bluff,” Gracey commanded. “The water in the stream is supplied by a natural spring under a cave in the bluff.”

  “Are you sure?” Jim asked.

  “I am positive. This is the meadow from the book. I know it is. Just go where I tell you,” Gracey asserted.

  Jim followed the stream until Gracey told him to stop. She jumped out of the Jeep and ran behind a large boulder which was close to the face of the bluff. “Where did she go?” Jim exclaimed as Gracey disappeared from sight.

  The men followed Gracey’s path. They heard her call out. “They’re in here, asleep.”

  “Asleep?” Stone asked.

  “Yes, both are still in wolf form. Why would they still be in wolf form?” Gracey wondered aloud. In the dark of the cave, she could not see the reason. Her calling out to the others caused Rudy to awaken. Rudy rose and nudged Gracey out of the cave with his nose.

  Jim always carried extra clothes in the Jeep and pulled out some sweats pants out of the duffle bag behind the driver's seat. Rudy turned human and quickly dressed. “Hand me a flashlight,” Rudy told Jim, “and a blanket. Abby is still asleep.”

  “Still asleep?” Stone asked.

  “She was shot last night,” Rudy stated calmly.

  “Shot? Omigod, is she okay?” Stone asked, visibly traumatized.

  “I'm sure she is fine. Abby has been sleeping in her wolf form all night and should be healed. Gracey, please go into the cave with me. I want to wake Abby, and we will determine if it safe for her to turn human,” Rudy replied confidently.

  When Gracey and Rudy went back into the cave, Rudy shined the flashlight on Abby’s hip. It was matted with blood, but he could not see a wound. Rudy sat on the ground of the cave and gently took Abby’s face in his hands and whispered, “It’s okay to wake up now my love. You are healed.” It was the sweetest thing Gracey had ever seen. Rudy’s love for Abby was genuine and deep.

  Abby slowly opened her eyes and being in wolf form could see perfectly. She was a bit groggy, and a soft growl emanated from her throat. She looked up and seeing Rudy, she licked his face. “Your wound has healed, my darling. Are you ready to turn human? We have brought you a blanket.”

  Abby did not move. “Abby, your fur is covered with blood. If I carry you out of here with all the blood dried and matted in your fur, your son is going to faint. But if you turn, you can walk out wrapped in a blanket, and no one will see the blood. So what is it going to be?”

  Abby stood on all four legs and moved around to walk off the stiffness of the cold, wet cave. She moved towards the entrance, to give herself headroom and turned human. Rudy wrapped Abby in the blanket and walked her out of the cave.

  Stone ran up to his mother in a panic. “Are you okay? Does it hurt? Do we need to call Dr. Robertson?”

  Abby looked around. “I am fine. How did you find us?” Abby asked.

  “You wrote about the cave in one of your books. As soon as Jim and Elmer said they last saw you in the meadow, I knew where you were,” Gracey replied.

  Abby looked at Jim and Elmer amazed. “You did not know the cave?” Abby asked amused.

  “Guess we have been too busy eating,” Elmer replied shamefully.

  “Let’s go home,” Rudy announced. “I need a long hot shower and some breakfast. I am hungry.”

  Abby popped Rudy on the arm and joked, “Thought you ate half a cow last night.”

  Once at the house, Rudy took a quick shower and met the men in the dining room. He had Ms. McFarlin prepare extra coffee and some eggs and ham for the boys. Abby stayed in their suite and prepared herself a hot bath. Gracey stayed in the dining room sipping her cappuccino and listening to the rest of the story.

  Knowing what it was like to be shot and the mental anguish, Gracey set up a tray with a coffee service and carried it to Abby. “Sorry to barge in,” Gracey told Abby as she entered the en suite bathroom. “But I thought you might enjoy some hot coffee. Plus, I am here if you need to talk. I will sit here as long as you need me.”

  Abby stared at the ceiling, depressed and despondent. She picked up the cup of coffee and after a few sips looked at Gracey. “It hurt; getting shot hurts. Now I know how you felt, and I did not even get shot with a silver bullet.”

  Gracey nodded but stayed silent. She knew Abby needed to talk, to get it out of her system.

  “It was supposed to be one of Rudy’s best nights. He had finally gotten his wish, to turn wolf. We were having so much fun until those yahoos showed up. I knew we were in trouble and headed for the cave, but I got in the path of one of the spotlights, and the bastard shot me.”

  Gracey tried not to laugh. But she had never heard Abby use profanity before.

  “Are you still in pain?” Gracey asked.

  “No,” Abby replied. “I am totally healed, but I will have a small mark on my hip, nothing serious, though. I just feel awful for Rudy.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about him,” Gracey advised. Abby looked at Gracey puzzled. “Rudy is downstairs with the boys whooping it up and telling his first war story. Other than the part where you got shot, it was the best night of his life.” Gracey could not restrain herself and laughed. She looked at Abby and said, “I am sorry.”

  Then Abby started laughing too. “I bet he is down there telling them he saved my life,” Abby deduced. Gracey nodded and laughed again. “Well, then I better get dressed and go downstairs and let him play the hero.” Abby rolled her eyes and laughed some more. "Men."

  The staff spent the morning prepping for the late afternoon cookout and left promptly at eleven to be with their families for the holiday. S
alads and side dishes along with relish trays and vegetable platters had been prepared. The cooler was filled with beer and wine and iced down. Everything had been laid out. A couple of pork shoulders had already been placed on the rotisseries of the grills earlier in the morning on a low heat, so minimal supervision was required.

  By mid-afternoon, the aroma of the pork cooking made everyone hungry. The grills had been set up near the corner of the house between the kitchen entrance and the pool. The boys were hanging out, drink beer, and pretending to watch the grill. Stone and Gracey joined the trio.

  Gracey was curious. “I have seen Jim and Elmer in wolf form. Jim is gray, and Elmer is black. What color is Charles?”

  “He’s chestnut with yellow eyes,” Elmer replied.

  “It makes sense with his deep reddish-brown hair and darker complexion,” Gracey stated.

  “What color was my father?” Stone inquired. “I couldn’t tell in the dark.”

  “Silver, not gray. Silver with pale blue eyes, very...handsome,” Gracey answered, blushing. She never imagined she would think of a wolf as being handsome.

  “I wonder what color I will be,” Gracey thought aloud.

  Everyone stopped in their tracks. “What? We thought you didn’t want to turn.” Jim queried.

  “I didn’t but then this morning...when I saw the connection between Rudy and Abby. I was jealous. Stone and I have a connection because we are in love, but this is on a human level. But what I saw this morning was deeper, so much deeper; almost spiritual.”

  The men just looked at each other but stayed silent. Turning wolf would need to be Gracey’s choice. They would not influence her decision. And Stone would follow Gracey’s decision, no matter what it was.

  Shortly before dinner time Abby and Rudy joined the group. The men brought out the rest of the food, and soon the seven were enjoying the grilled pork. Rudy was still hungry from his first turn as was Charles. As the two went back for their fourth plate of food, everyone broke down hysterically laughing. Rudy and Charles looked at everyone bewildered.

  “Maybe we should have roasted a whole cow,” Abby blurted out.

  “Look who’s talking,” Rudy retorted. “You ate two heaping plates of food yourself and half of Ms. McFarlin’s three layer chocolate cake.”

  After relaxing for a while, the boys challenged each other to a cannonball contest. They stripped to their swim trunks, and Elmer was the first one off the diving board. Charles being the biggest of the three was clearly winning the contest, but no one truly cared. Soon Rudy and Stone joined in. It was hot, and a dip in the pool was a welcome relief from the July heat.

  Gracey and Abby lay in the chaise lounges watching the shenanigans and laughing. Everyone was having fun. “So this is what it is like to have a big family,” Gracey thought aloud. The ladies looked at each other and smiled in contentment.

  Lone Hill and the surrounding county did not put on a public fireworks celebration. Therefore, individual households or groups would purchase their own fireworks and set them off. As the sun lowered on the horizon, the first of the fireworks commenced.

  The first volley was unexpected, and both Gracey and Abby jumped. “Fireworks,” they announced simultaneously and lay back and tried to relax. The nearest neighbor was miles away so the bang from the fireworks would not be too loud. Soon they could hear fireworks coming from different parts of the surrounded area. As their neighbor’s displays become more intense, so did the noise echoing, through the lower lying areas and ravines. Abby and Gracey tried to ignore the sounds around them, but they were becoming jittery; more on edge.

  They looked at each other, and as if they could read each other’s minds they took each other's hand and stood. “Wedding dresses,” Abby announced as an explanation. “We are going to look at wedding dresses.” And the two ran inside.

  “So this is what PTSD feels like,” Gracey asked rhetorically, as they both tried to calm their breathing.

  Abby urged Gracey along. “Come with me. I need to show you something.”

  Gracey followed Abby into the master suite and then into Abby’s closet. Three wedding dresses had been delivered from Merriman’s Boutique. “We can look at them tonight, but we will wait until tomorrow to try them on. I will have Amelia come over to assist.”

  Abby opened each bag and gave Gracey a glimpse each of the dresses. “They are all so beautiful,” Gracey exclaimed smiling. “But aren’t they a bit formal? We are still having a small ceremony, right?” Gracey asked.

  “Just because the ceremony will be small and intimate, it doesn’t mean you should have to get married without a proper dress. You only get married once! I cannot deprive Stone of seeing his bride walking towards him dressed like a princess on his wedding day. Plus, I am selfish. I do not have a daughter of my own, so please do not deprive me the joy and excitement of planning a wedding,” Abby begged.