She stood in front of the floor-length mirror attached to the back of her bedroom door and held out her hands. Not even a tremor. This whole affair had surely started out on the wrong foot, but it was ending perfectly.
“My wedding.” She smiled at her reflection. “Not daddy’s wedding or even a fake one with intentions of divorce or annulment in a few weeks.”
“Hey, are you ready for some help getting into that gorgeous dress?” Emily called from the other side of the door.
Alana took a step back and opened it wide. “I sure am. Is the photographer here?”
“Oh, yeah, and chompin’ at the bit for you to come downstairs,” Emily said. “But, honey, this is your day. My grandmother made me understand that on my wedding day. She said, ‘Emily, I don’t care if the elastic in your panty hose pops and your stockings fall down around your ankles. Kick them off to the side and remember that it’s your day. Don’t let anyone rush you or make you nervous. You want good memories.’ I listened to her and so should you.” She lowered her voice. “I didn’t tell her that I wasn’t wearing panty hose, but that I was wearing a little white lace thong with BRIDE embroidered across the front.”
Alana slipped off her robe to show that she was wearing the same style thong.
Emily giggled and removed the dress from the bag and slipped it over Alana’s head. “Who would have thought when we were little girls that we’d be marrying good friends?”
“I think I always knew I’d marry Pax someday,” Alana said. “I’m glad that we finally came to our senses and realized that we were supposed to be together.”
“Amen,” Emily said.
At fifteen minutes until time to walk down the aisle, Alana watched six sparkling clean trucks drive up in front of the house. Each of the five groomsmen got out of his vehicle and escorted a bridesmaid across the lawn. Dixie and Landon were already at the barn. She was sitting at the guest table, and Landon was serving as usher until the ceremony began and it was time to do the scripture reading.
“Oh, darlin’,” Matt’s said from her doorway.
Alana turned around slowly.
“You look like an angel,” her father whispered. “Your mama is smiling up there in heaven for sure tonight.”
“I hope so, Daddy.” She crossed the room and hugged him. “I’m so happy that I could cry.”
“Don’t you dare.” Matt held out an envelope. “I want you to put this in your suitcase and don’t read it until tonight or maybe you should wait until after the honeymoon. Your mama told me to give it to you on your wedding day. I’ve done my part, and now you can choose when to open it.”
Tears welled up in Alana’s eyes, but she kept them at bay as she tucked the envelope into the outside pocket of her suitcase. “Thank you, Daddy—for everything.”
“Right backatcha, kid.” He bent his arm, and she slipped hers into it.
Crystal was waiting for them when Matt parked his truck in the spot reserved for the bride. She put the bridal bouquet into Alana’s hand and said, “Five minutes, and then the music will begin. The groom and the preacher will go up the aisle, like we practiced last night, then each bridesmaid will be escorted in by her husband. When you hear the first strands of the song you picked to come down the aisle to, I will part the filmy curtain, and you’ll step into the barn. I’m giving you a brief rundown, so you won’t forget.”
“Thanks.” Alana remembered telling Crystal that her dad’s short-term memory was suffering and appreciated how she’d handled the issue.
“I’m going to step up to the front of this line and set things in motion. Two minutes, now,” she said and hurried off.
“Nervous?” Matt asked.
“Not anymore,” Alana answered. “You’re right here with me, and Pax is waiting for me inside.”
“That’s my girl.” Matt patted her hand and asked, “Aren’t you walking down the aisle to the traditional wedding song?”
“No, Daddy, I’m not.” Alana kissed him on the cheek. “This part is my surprise for Pax—and maybe for you as well.”
Piano music started, and Crystal opened the curtains. Matt and Alana took their first step into the barn to “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. All of the words to the old song fit her and Pax perfectly, especially the words that said that every sign pointed her straight to