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She nods, and tears pool in her eyes. “I’m sorry, It’s just… your dad.”
“I know.” I swallow hard past the lump in my throat.
Lottie gently squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll meet you two at the doors.”
“He would have asked you one last time, so I’m going to as well. Don’t get angry, but are you sure you want to do this?”
I give her a warm smile. “Yes, Mom, I’m positive.”
She nods. “Good enough for me. Let’s go get you married.”
I circle my arm through hers, and she pats my hand, walking me to the doors that will open to our ceremony. I’m happy to be getting married here, overlooking the vineyard.
“Ready?” Lottie asks, nodding to her brother, Bennett, to open the doors.
His daughter Wren walks out first in her flower girl dress, dropping petals down the white runner toward the barn doors where our officiant and Jude will be standing since the weather is nice. Mother Nature is on our side today and gave us a glorious early fall day, the sun peering down on us.
Lottie walks after Wren, and once she’s at the end of the aisle, my mom and I step up, waiting for the wedding march.
“Your father gave Jude your hand three years ago,” my mom whispers. “And I know he’s here today, smiling down on you from heaven. I just know it.”
Her words take a moment to sink in. “What?”
“Your dad. His spirit is here.” She smiles at me.
“No, before that. Three years ago?”
She shakes her head. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“What do you mean Dad gave him my hand three years ago?”
The wedding music starts, and I hear people standing and turning back to watch me walk down the aisle.
“Well…” Her expression suggests she’s kept something from me, that she has a secret.
The music stops and starts again.
“We can talk about it later.” Mom pats my hand. “It’s time.”
I turn to face everyone, and all their eyes are on me. Jude stands at the end of the aisle, his hands at his side and no smile. Does he not want to marry me? Or is it just his nerves?
I step forward, my mom urging me to go. For once, she’s walking faster than I want. The whole time I make my way across the white runner toward Jude, my mind spins to remember what might have happened three years ago and what my mom could possibly be talking about.
We stop at the end. There’s no veil for my mom to lift, so she kisses my cheek and squeezes my hand, lifting it and offering it to Jude. He smiles at her and helps me to stand next to him, the two of us facing one another on the terrace under the sun while all of our guests are seated inside the barn.
This is my dream. I’m marrying Jude Noughton. Concentrate on that, I tell myself.
“We’re gathered here today to witness Sadie Wilkins and Jude Noughton…” the officiant starts.
Three years ago, Jude fell off Titan and was hospitalized for a concussion. But what does that have to do with my dad offering my hand in marriage to him?
Chapter Nineteen
Sadie
“I’m exhausted.” I walk into Jude’s house and slip off my heels, wanting out of this dress.
The ceremony and the reception went off without a hitch, and no one suspected anything other than we were happy.
