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Of course, Matt didn’t mention that he’d been part of that elite crowd once. He really didn’t want to bring up how terrified he was to do it again. “You bet.”
With Lucy, he could do anything.
Tatum held his hands and grinned up at him. “Daddy, you’re going to marry Lucy today, and she’s beautiful.” The innocent way she said it made everyone laugh.
He turned and glanced up at the room where he knew Lucy was getting ready. To his surprise, their eyes met, and he winked at her. Warmth spread through him again, confirming that this was what he was supposed to do and he was where he was supposed to be. “I know she’s beautiful.”
Tatum giggled.
Matt couldn’t put into words how happy he was right now. The future was still hazy; he didn’t know how things would go with Charlene, and wasn’t sure how he’d reassemble his team and get his business back where it needed to be. He had no guarantees, but he wasn’t afraid of that anymore. He could trust in God, and that was all he needed.
Chapter 30
Lucy wouldn’t lie; she’d planned most of this wedding. Her beach friends, though, had refused to let her do any of the work for it. She’d even been banned two days earlier so she wouldn’t be tempted to go over to the Stone Family Inn and help.
She stared out the window of one of the Stone family Inn’s guest rooms. Below, all her friends were gathered by the ocean, and she couldn’t help but laugh with joy.
Finally, it washerwedding.
At the gazebo down on the beach, she spotted Pastor Henry and Lily standing by the dance floor near the organ—Ava’s touch, since Lucy had always wanted an organ at her wedding. The men were cracking jokes and slapping each other’s backs. Ava, Kensi, Dawn, Cheryse, Liberty, and Serenity were all crossing the beach and heading back to the inn. They were coming for her. She had asked them if she could have a few minutes to herself. It might sound strange, but she had needed some decompression time.
She stared down at the ring on her finger. It was a huge princess-cut diamond with a little butterfly encircled with diamonds. Emotion stuck in her throat. Those were the diamonds from her mom’s ring.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she pushed down the emotion. She couldn’t feel like this. She was about to get married, and she really didn’t want to mess up her makeup. Maybe that sounded vain, but she didn’t care.
Lucy turned back to the window and stared down at Matt. As if sensing her eyes on him, he looked up and smiled. She stepped back behind the curtain and knew she was blushing. “You can’t see a bride before the wedding,” she whispered.
He smirked like he knew what she was saying.
It wasn’t long before there was a knock on the door, and Tatum opened it and rushed in. “Are you done having alone time?” She moved into Lucy’s arms.
Lucy held Tatum against her. She was so happy she would soon be Tatum’s mom. There weren’t even words to describe it. She gazed down into Tatum’s fierce green eyes, so similar to Matt’s. “Yeah, alone time is over. I’m ready to marry your dad.”
Tatum giggled, and Lucy tickled her.
“Someone’s getting married?” Ava walked into the room wearing a striking teal dress.
Maybe Lucy shouldn’t brag about how her bridesmaids’ dresses were the most gorgeous in existence. Or maybe she would, because everyone would know that she’d designed them.
Ava gave her a little smile. “Are you thinking about how gorgeous the dresses are?” She struck a pose like she was a model.
Lucy giggled. “Yes.”
Kat walked in and pointed at her. “Oh my gosh, this is, like, your time to shine. Of course you are thinking about how gorgeous the dresses are. Marshall just said I look mighty fine.”
Serenity, Dawn, and Cheryse moved in. Dawn rushed over to her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Maybe the bridesmaids’ dresses are gorgeous, but I can guarantee you are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
Lucy swatted the air. “Stop.” But she felt emotional. “I was just looking at my ring and thinking of Mom and Dad. I really wish they were here.”
The women gathered around and held her.
“No crying. Your makeup, remember?” Ava waggled a finger at her.
Lucy laughed, and then all of them were laughing. “I know. I’ve been telling myself that. It’s my wedding day.” She clapped happily.
“It’s your wedding day!” all the women recited back to her.
Kensi moved her back to the mirror. “Let’s make sure you’re ready. I’m going to get a text from Tim any second; I told him to notify us.”
