Rising up on her toes, she kissed his leathery cheek. "Thank you for all of this."
He nodded as she stepped back and pushed the flowers into her hands. "Don't y'all be taking too long." He took one last look at her and brushed the back of his worn hand against his cheek. "We're getting this thing started in fifteen."
As the door shut, Jen scrolled through the pictures she had taken. "I love your dad."
"Me too." Mimi stepped into her strappy heals and checked to make sure that everything was in place. Lightly settling her fingertips over the handkerchief hidden in her bodice, she said, "Jen, will you go make sure Adam isn't in the house?" She smiled at her best friend. "You heard the man. Let's get this show on the road."
***
Standing in the spring sun, a breeze came up through the garden, perfuming the air with the scent of herbs and recently turned soil. Mimi held her father's arm in a death grip as they waited for the music to start. She hadn't considered the soft ground when she chose the strappy golden heals. To keep from sinking, she kept her weight forward on her toes.
Her father's hair was slicked back, and he had changed into church clothes in the ten minutes since she'd last seen him. Holding on to his steel cable of an arm, Mimi was pretty sure he was the only reason she hadn't fallen.
When the music started, he whispered to her, "You sure, punkin? Last chance to change your mind. We can run for it if you kick off those heals. That license can be annulled."
After a calming breath, she said, "I'm sure. Adam and I are doing this."
He stepped her forward, and they came around the side of the house. There were so many people. Marge and her wife were familiar, but it looked like Adam's whole damn team had shown up, along with her crew from the rescue. By the grill, two men remained focused on their task, busy in their aprons, trying to be quiet with their tongs. Jen was ahead of them, standing behind Adam. Handsome in his suit, he dampened his lips when he saw her and the way he looked at her made her shiver. Keeping her eyes on him, she ignored Noah quivering next to him, barely containing his enthusiasm.
Underfoot, they crushed crimson camelia blooms with every step. Sarah tossed them on the winter dry grass as she walked ahead of them. Mimi could hardly breathe. What was she doing? Half way up the make shift isle, her father whispered, "Last chance." In response, she squeezed his arm and continued forward until they reached the make shift alter under the sheltering pecan trees that shaded the back of the house.
Eyes on Adam, she ducked her head as her father pressed a kiss to her forehead. Jen's voice was buzzing bees, and she couldn't make out what she was saying. Mimi froze until Adam extended his hand and she reached for it like he was offering a life preserver. They were in this together, whatever this was. When she looked up into his handsome face, he mouthed the word, "Wow."
Stunned by the smile he gave her, she didn't respond to Jen's prompts. The third time, Mimi heard her and nodded. Did she mean it this time, to love this man forever? To be his. Her throat felt tight. She might, and that terrified her.
Focused on his mouth as he made his vows, her inner fool, the little romantic wished his words were a real promise to love and honor her. The part of her she'd buried under the dirt of her failed marriage ached with longing. Would it be so bad to pretend that when he said "I do," he meant it? With the way he was looking at her, she could fool herself.
When he drew a glittering sapphire engagement ring out of his pocket, she gulped. His grandmother's wedding band already encircled her finger, placed there at the courthouse. She had no ring for him. Mouth filling with ash, she listened to Adam say the words as he slid the beautiful ring onto her finger with a promise. Maybe that would always be their way, doing things backward. He sounded confident and certain. With almost no wetness in her mouth, she said, "I do."
Jen extended her hand, revealing a simple gold band in the center of her palm. It was the twin to the one Mimi wore. Adam smiled. "It's the wedding band my grandfather wore. I didn't think the rings should be separated."
A fat tear rolled down Mimi's cheek. These rings had united two people for a lifetime. Her promises were barely audible. Mimi's hand trembled as she slid the ring onto Adam's finger. It fit as if it was made for him.
He reached up and touched her tear with a fingertip. "Don't mess up your makeup, Mrs. Sanders."
As Jen pronounced them married, he bent down and kissed her with such tenderness that her heart ached and for a few heartbeats, it all felt real. They were two people in love, starting their life together.
***
Kids were everywhere, and Noah was doing his best to be a proper host, showing off the farm and the baby lambs. Mimi kicked off her shoes and stood barefoot on the warm ground. She was meeting so many people. Congratulations came in happy waves. Everyone wanted to talk to them. Carl's wife was a happy surprise, tall and shy. Mimi had never met her in person. Her parents stood arm and arm talking to Marge and her wife. Someone had let the dog out of the house and the terrier was weaving in and out of guests with a wagging tail. When Adam sidled up to her, his tie loosened and the sleeves of his crisp white shirt rolled up, he held a plate of food and two beers.
"I think you need this." He handed her a cold bottle. With his pinkie, he pointed out an empty table. "I say we claim those seats and sit down for a minute."
With a sigh, she sank into the folding chair. "What a day."
"It's been perfect." He clinked his bottle against hers.
"That chicken smells amazing."
