Page 129 of Bailey

“No sure if y’all heard that,” OJ said. “But she said yes!” He practically yelled the last few words into the mic, and the crowd erupted into applause, whistles, and yeehaws as Reeves finished putting the ring on her finger and got to his feet.

He pulled her in for a kiss, and the catcalls really started then.

“Give it up for Bailey and Reeves!” OJ’s voice filled the lodge and caused laughter to start way down in Bailey’s stomach. That kid should never be given a live mic.

Bailey tucked herself against Reeves’s chest, still giggling as Daddy took the mic from OJ.

“Now I know y’all didn’t come for that, but hopefully the tree will be worth a few extra minutes of waiting.” He looked over to Bailey, and she realized she wasn’t out of the spotlight yet. “Bay, we’re ready for you.”

She moved away from Reeves and over to the wall, then turned around, somehow getting a theatrical streak in that moment. She once again took in the faces of all of those in the room, every single one of them belonging to a person who loved her and whom she loved in return.

She flipped the switch.

The tree brightened with all white lights this year as they glinted and twinkled merrily among the multicolored ornaments. The oohs and ahhs she had been expecting filled the room, and Reeves came to her side, took her hand, and gently led her back to the second-row seats.

Away from the eyes. Out of the spotlight.

“I love you,” he whispered as chatter and laughter and commotion broke out around them.

Bailey looked up at him, and somehow only the two of them existed despite the chaos around them. “I love you too.”

FORTY-SEVEN

SIX MONTHS LATER:

Bryce Young didn’t want to overstep his bounds. His hand in Codi’s tightened as they walked up the front sidewalk of Bailey’s house. They’d been here a couple of times in the past, but not often, as Bryce had worked incredibly hard to make sure Bailey stayed on the outside of his life.

After all, he loved Codi with his whole heart, and he never wanted her to feel second, or like Bryce was choosing Bailey or OJ over her and their two beautiful boys. Never, ever.

“Maybe we should just go,” he said at the bottom of the steps. He looked up toward the front door, knowing he’d find Bailey behind the door, probably with Reeves, and plenty of wedding décor. Maybe her mother would even be here, as they had less than twenty-four hours until they said I-do.

He turned toward Codi as she faced him. “It’s as it should be,” he said. “What are we doing here?”

The mid-June breeze blew across Bailey’s front yard, ruffling the ends of Codi’s short hair. “We brought her a gift.” She raised her eyebrows and the gift bag she carried. “So let’s go give it to them.” She tugged on his hand, and Bryce went up the steps with her. “And then we’re leaving for Lava Hot Springs.”

Bryce pressed his teeth together and nodded. He knocked on the door, and it was Reeves who called, “Come on in,” from inside.

He reached for the doorknob and twisted it, but he let Codi step up and into the house first. Bryce entered the house to the living room, but he didn’t see either one of them.

Reeves came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. “Bailey’s not back from the clinic yet,” he said. “But she should be here any minute.”

“We’re parked in the driveway,” Bryce said, his nerves settling at the sight of Reeves’s smile.

“She can get around you,” he said easily. He moved forward and swept a kiss across Codi’s cheek, and then hugged Bryce.

“We brought you guys a gift,” Codi said. “Since we won’t be able to be at the wedding.”

“Yeah, thank you,” Reeves said. He took it and set it on the fireplace. “Come on in. Do you guys want some coffee or anything?”

“We can’t stay long,” Codi said while Bryce had wondered where his voice had gone. Codi had always been able to shore him up and be strong when he couldn’t, and he thanked God for her, just as he had many other times.

The side door opened, and Bailey walked in. “I’m so sorry I’m late. I had someone bring in a pig who’d stepped in the barbed wire and had a pretty significant cut right through the hoof.”

She threw her purse and lunch box on the dining room table, took a big breath, and faced Bryce and Codi. Everything melted away as a smile spread her lips. “Hey, you guys.” She moved into them and gave Codi a tight hug, and then held on to Bryce.

“Hey,” he managed to say. “I’m really sorry we can’t come to the wedding.”

Bailey pulled back and met his eyes, something blazing in hers. “It’s fine. You guys have Codi’s family reunion in Idaho, right? I don’t expect you to change that for me.”