Lucy looked stunning in the rose, probably from the way her face glowed from the pregnancy. And Deni in that deep rose with her dark curly hair could be a model. The wedding pictures would be beautiful.
If Lori and Trey did marry, the day would be different than she ever pictured. This time her father and her brothers would be there. After she'd hugged her dad and they talked, he'd called her brothers to come over. Soon she was bouncing her niece in her arms and the weight of the past dissolved. She should have gone home sooner, and while she couldn't change the past, she could enjoy the present.
“And with that, I pronounce you husband and wife. Chad, you may kiss your bride.”
Lori blinked back into what was happening around her. She meant to watch Chad and Alison, but her gaze met Trey's. That man sucked all the oxygen out of a room. She wanted to shout “hurry up, Chad, you can kiss her later.” She was seconds from being tucked into Trey and she wanted that more than anything. She'd missed him as if he'd been gone for a lifetime not two weeks.
It couldn't have been more dreamlike for her as she walked, crushing rose petals under her feet on the arm of the most perfect man.
“I've missed you.” He whispered in her ear. “I'm looking forward to the wedding party dance with you as my partner.”
So was she. If she'd have been stuck with Wade the way Lucy was, she wouldn't be smiling right now. As it was, her face had begun to hurt because she couldn't stop.
Soon the pictures were all taken except for one. Alison had requested one with her Silverton family before leaving for the reception. Lori noticed Evan talking to several people. What was he up to? He seemed to be directing people to somewhere. Maybe the reception, but then those people should have known where to go.
“Are you guys ready? One more photo, and we can get to the reception. I want to do this one in the small chapel instead of the sanctuary. It will be more intimate—like the family we’ve become.” She held Chad's hand and led the way.
Lucy blinked back tears before they stormed down her face. Alison took Lucy’s bridesmaid bouquet and handed her a bigger one filled with roses. The small chapel had been decorated with white bows on the pews, her family filled them. Candelabras were lit in front of the small altar. But what took her breath away were the bunches of pink balloons. “Evan—I—”
“Please say it's okay, Lucy Belle. You said we could announce the baby's gender when I was ready. I've been ready for weeks, but this seemed like a perfect way to do it. Our families and closest friends are here. I wanted this wedding to be special for you. And I want the whole world to know I'm going to be a father to a baby girl.”
“The whole world? Is this streaming live?” She hugged him. “It's amazing and I love it.”
“And you’re sure the other thing we talked about is okay?”
“I think it’s perfect.”
“Then let's go do this wedding thing. I can't wait to call you Mrs. Lewis.”
The ceremony went by in a blur until the pastor asked Evan if he would take Lucy as his lawfully wedded wife. Lucy’s breath hitched.
“Yes, and I also take the baby girl, Grace Harper, as my daughter. I want it all.”
The room exploded with laughter and clapping. Lucy wiped the tears from her face. “I love you, Evan.”
The pastor quickly wrapped up the service and presented them as The Lewis Family.
After the ceremony, Grams hugged her. “You did good choosing this man.”
“I think he chose me, Grams, the real me.”
“Then everything that's happened to you brought you to this moment.”
Deni hugged her. “I can't believe you kept this a secret! No wonder you wouldn't agree to a design for the window.”
“There was one I loved a lot, so I hope you still have the sketches because the nursery at Evan's house is going to need it.”
“Don't you mean our house, Lucy Belle?”
She gazed up at Evan. God had blessed her life in a big way. “Our house. I like the sound of that. Guess Lori will have to get used to living by herself again.”
“I'll be fine. I'm happy for you two. And in two months I'll be even happier that I won't be wakened every two hours.”
“Everyone, let’s head over to the reception and celebrate!” Chad led Alison out the door and the others followed.
Trey led Lori out to the dance floor for the wedding party dance. His heart banged against his throat. He'd thought the photographer would never get through all the photos. They'd had to take time for Lucy and Evan's photos too. Then the meal and the toasts. Agonizing, when he wanted to hold Lori in his arms.
“Are you hot? Your hand is kind of sweaty.”
He rubbed it on his tux jacket. “A little. After this, Chad says we can take off our jackets. But Alison wanted everyone dressed for the photographer to get a photo of us during the dance.” He'd wanted to congratulate the photographer on his patience. By now he'd have been packed and out the door.
Gathering Lori in his arms, he almost sighed. He'd missed her. Being home made it worse, watching his siblings with their families, their secret codes and smiles. They probably didn't know he noticed, but he did, and it shined a light on his need, his want to fill the loneliness.
The song ended. “Care to step outside with me for a minute? I need to cool off.”
“You do look uncomfortable.”
She had no idea that it wasn't the heat that made him feel that way. If he trusted what her answer would be, he’d be down on one knee in front of everyone. But then again, Lori would hate that. She didn't like unexpected attention thrust upon her. “I am. I saw a nice spot just out front that would make a great photo because you can see the lake.”
“At night? Pretty sure the lake isn't enough light.”
“No. But in the daylight it's a great spot. I wanted you to see it.”
She squeezed his hand. “I'm glad you're back.”
“Me too.” He opened the door for her and led under the canopy of a pine tree.
He snapped his fingers and dozens of LED candles lit the night. He’d paid one of Brent’s friends to wait for his signal to flip the switch.
“This is new with the lights. So pretty.”
The soft light caressed her face. He wished he had his camera. The woman was beautiful. She shivered. And cold. “Here.” He removed the tux jacket and draped it around her shoulders. He didn't let go but used the lapels to pull her closer. Her eyes questioned him, but she remained silent.
“Lori, I've thought about this for the last month, maybe a lifetime. I don't know. I resisted every woman that came into my path. They were never the one. Then I met you. It didn't take me long to realize you are the one I'm meant to be with, and I've been praying that you would feel the same about me. Would you marry me?”
She blinked her beautiful eyes a bunch of times. Was she shocked, have something in her eye? His palms began to sweat. Did she not want to marry him? Had he read the signs wrong? Thank heavens he didn't ask her on the dance floor like he'd planned.
“Trey, I never thought I'd be emotionally well enough to marry again. True, the first marriage lasted five minutes, so it doesn't really count. But I wasn't ready then either.”
Come on, tell me no so I can leave town tonight. No one would know except his parents, because he'd told them about his plan. And her dad. “And you're saying no? Because if you are I need to tell you I asked your dad for his blessing first.”
She covered her hand with her mouth, her eyes widened, tears made them shine. “Trey, I love you.” She pulled him in for a long deep kiss. “I'm saying yes. Yes, to a lifetime with you. And yes, to naming our first son Trey Four.”
He reached into his pocket and retrieved a ring. “It was my grandmother’s ring. I hope you like it. I’m pretty sure Grandmother would have loved you.” The overhead streetlight caught the edge of the diamond as he slid it on her finger. He couldn’t have planned that better.
She sighed. “It's beautiful.”
/> Lori threw her arms around Trey. “This night couldn’t get any better.”
“I wish I’d known that. I might have taken this a bit too far.”
“Lori?”
She whipped around at the sound of her father’s voice. “Dad?” Her brothers stepped out of the shadows behind her father.
“Why? How?”
“Trey convinced us to be here. We wanted to be a part of this. We’ve missed so much of your life.” Her dad shook Trey’s hand. “I hope she said yes.”
Her family.
They were here, not all of them but somehow, she felt her mother’s touch on her shoulder, could almost hear her saying, “You did it, Lori!” Tears of joy trickled down Lori’s cheeks. “Dad! I said yes!”
“I hope you let me walk you down the aisle when the time comes.” Her father wiped his eyes.
“I want that more than anything in the world, Dad.”
Trey cleared his throat. “Hello?”
“Next to marrying Trey that is.” Lori couldn’t wait to tell Deni she’d broken free of her past and that the other side of all that pain and shame held a bright future.
“Um, like I said I may have over planned.” Trey grabbed her by the hand. “Our friends are waiting inside to meet your family.”
Lori swallowed. “They knew? All of them?”
“Yes. I told them I what I was planning. Alison insisted that I invite your dad and brothers to the reception. Are you mad?”
“No. But you were brave. What if I’d have said no?”
“I had my fears, but I trusted God. And if you had said no, I would have kept asking until you said yes, even if it took ten years.” He leaned down to kiss her.
She pushed him away. “My dad is right there!”
Trey laughed. “You’re right. Plenty of time for those kisses later.” He held tight to her hand. “Ready?”
“Yes.” She held her other hand out to her dad. “Come on everyone. It’s about to get crazy inside and I want you there.”
Back of the book notes!
It’s been a joy to write this book. Lori is dear to my heart and I wanted her to have her moment to shine and to find love. She took a lot of work though because she wasn’t willing to tell me her secret for a long time! Do you have friends like that? I must admit I’m a bit like Lori. I keep my secrets close and sharing is difficult.
Is this the last book in the Silverton series? I’m not sure. Claire is bugging me about writing her story but then she’d have to move to Silverton or maybe there’s a new series brewing? And how did Claire get her name? She started out as Heather, but my author friend, Jennifer Crosswhite, has a Heather in Protective Custody. I wanted to be different, so I asked the Pencildancer’s FaceBook group for a name and there were some great suggestions. I chose Lisa Stillman’s suggestion. Thanks Lisa!
Fun things that happened while writing this book slowing its progress:
I began working at a preschool in the office. And sometimes subbing. It’s difficult to be depressed when working around little ones. One morning the 4-year-eolds were forecasting the weather, one child said, “Look out! Today there will be white clouds and a tornado. Lots of them.” Just makes me smile.
My son, daughter-in-law and my grandchildren moved in for a few months while their house was being built. My house was once again a hubbub of noise, chaos and laughter. And bonus! My daughter-in-law and I shared the cooking.
For a short time, my neighbor had a goat that kept banging his horns against our windows. Rather jarring on the nerves when you aren’t expecting to see a goat staring at you demanding to be let inside.
If you liked this book, please consider leaving a review.
Thanks for reading!
Diana
If you read this book before reading All in Good Time, you can grab it free by signing up for my newsletter. You’ll get to know Grams and Lucy even better.
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Other Books by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer
Contemporary
A Time to Love Series Silverton Lake Romances
All in Good Time
A Time to Dance
A Time to Bake
A Time to Heal
Mind of Her Own
Hearts on the Road
Historical
The Festive Bride
The Honey Bride
From a Distance
A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee
Matchmaker Brides Collection
Rails to Love Collection
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CBA and ESPA Best Selling, Christian author, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, writes historical and contemporary romances about women choosing to challenge their fears to become the strong woman God intends. Author of Mind of Her Own, A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee, We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families.
Website/blog: DianaBrandmeyer.com
Facebook: dianalesirebrandmeyer/author
A Time to Heal Page 16