Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Can you make four more?”
She already knew what I was asking. “Yes! I’ll keep it very simple.”
“A dress?” I asked.
“I have an idea, if you’re willing to wear a dress that’s been worn before.”
“Whose?”
“My mom’s. She tried to give it away a few years ago, but I snuck it out of the pile. I wanted to make something for her with it, but if she sees you in it…”
Tears filled both of our eyes. “I’d be honored to wear you mom’s dress. Will it fit?”
She nodded. “Oh yeah.”
“This is crazy, isn’t it?”
Amelia laughed. “Not to me! I did the same thing in New Orleans! At least this will be here on the ranch with our family. Our folks will be over the moon. They don’t care how it’s done, just knowing you and Mitchell are happy is all my folks care about, and I’m sure your mom is the same way.”
I nodded, and this time tears slipped down my face. “Thank you, Amelia. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
She pulled me into her arms. “If you leave it up to me, I promise to give you the best last-minute, shotgun wedding ever!”
I held on to her tighter.
“Pastor Burch can do it,” Mitchell said.
Stepping away from Amelia, I grinned. “What time?”
“He said he is open all day. His wife is going shopping for Black Friday.”
I covered my mouth and laughed.
Amelia clapped her hands. She was in full-on planning mode. “Then it’s set. Call him back and tell him we are doing a sunset wedding. He can meet us here at the house. You know that lookout by the cabin? I think it would make a beautiful place to get married.”
Mitchell smiled. “You are brilliant, Amelia.”
She grinned. “I know. The girls can get ready at the cabin. It’s perfect. I’ve got so much to plan.”
Turning on her heels, Amelia rushed into the house, leaving Mitchell and me standing there.
“Holy shit,” Mitchell said. “We’re not only having a baby, we’re getting married tomorrow!”
I tried not to laugh, but I couldn’t hold it in. “This is insane!”
Mitchell kissed me on the forehead. “That’s what makes it so perfect. You ready to go in?”
“Yes, let’s do this.”
We both took deep breaths and started to walk into the house.
“I can’t wait to see the look on everyone’s faces when they find out,” Mitchell said.
My chest fluttered with excitement. “You do know Amelia is about to tell everyone we’re getting married tomorrow.”
He laughed. “I have a feeling this is going to be the craziest twenty-four hours of our life!”
It had been two hours since we walked into the house with Corina wearing the shirt. Her mother rushed over to her and wrapped her in arms. They talked for a few minutes in a corner and when I saw Lori start crying, I knew she had either noticed the shirt or Corina had told her. I couldn’t pull my eyes off them. I’d never seen Corina so happy, and Lori was clearly over the moon.
Chloe instantly loved Lori and dragged her to the sofa to read a book together. I loved how Corina’s mother seemed to fit right in with my family. It was a sign, for sure.
“Not one person has said a word about the shirt! My mom didn’t even notice! I had to tell her,” Corina whispered as we stood in the line to grab food. My parents had always done Thanksgiving like a buffet. The food was lined up, you got what you wanted, and everyone squeezed in around the dining room table. This year we had more people in the family and some had to sit in the kitchen.
“I know!” I said. “Mom saw it but hasn’t mentioned anything, and I think Aunt Vi knows. She just wants Dad to figure it out on his own.”
“The feet look like baby feet, so what the heck? I can’t believe not even Chloe has said anything.”
We laughed.
After everyone got their food, we made our way into the dining room. I had Corina sit next to Dad. The room was filled with conversations and laughter. Glancing around, I took it all in. My father, Steed, and Tripp were talking about politics and the city council. Amelia, Paxton, and Waylynn were talking about hanging lights in trees and getting enough chairs for everyone. Chloe was sitting next to Paxton, adding her two cents to the party planning. She had no clue what they were even talking about or what the party was for, but she insisted Patches had to be a part of it.
My mother was oblivious to their conversation, even though they were not in the least bit trying to be quiet. Mom, Lori, and Aunt Vi were talking about a tea party Aunt Vi was going to throw at the house she was renting from Wade and Amelia. She wanted to introduce Lori to some of Mom and Aunt Vi’s friends. A sort of welcome to Oak Springs, since Lori had announced she would be moving to Texas soon. Of course, she didn’t tell everyone the reason why she had made the decision.