The Perfect Homecoming (Pine River #3)

The best man—Leo—would stay dry by remaining just inside the kitchen door. As maid of honor, however, Trudi would be forced to hold an umbrella.

When at last the backyard was made as ready as it could be, Emma paused to look around. She’d worked so many weddings that she never thought about the significance of them anymore. But today’s wedding, in the middle of a driving sleet, in a tiny house up in the mountains of Colorado, made her tear up. Not because it was her sister—Emma was happy for Madeline—but because she had never realized until she met Cooper just how badly she wanted this for herself. And she felt galaxies away from it.

Emma at last made her way to the RV to dress. Madeline was wearing a robe, but she’d had her hair arranged in a gorgeous chignon and her makeup applied. “Are the chairs up?” she asked anxiously when Emma came in.

“This is what I do for a living,” Emma said. “The chairs are up. Everything is under control. You look beautiful.”

Madeline smiled. “Wow. Thank you. So . . . so everything is going to be okay?”

Emma snorted. “No. It’s going to be horrible and wet and cold. You should have eloped.”

Madeline’s brows sank into a vee. Behind her, Trudi’s mouth gaped open with shock. “You really, seriously, have got to get a filter for that mouth of yours, Emma,” Madeline said.

Emma shrugged. “You asked.”

“You don’t have to say everything you think!” Libby cried, obviously just as startled as Trudi.

Emma smiled a little. They might not see it, but Emma thought she was making some progress. For example, she hadn’t mentioned out loud that Trudi’s dress was way too small for her.

“Well . . . she’s kind of right,” Trudi said, surprising Emma.

“Don’t agree with her, Trudi!” Madeline begged. She shook her head. “Okay, I should have eloped, but I didn’t. So what are you wearing, Emma?”

Emma hadn’t brought anything formal to Pine River, and she hadn’t had time to go to Colorado Springs for anything, either. At the last minute, Libby’s mother had lent her a dress. It was pale green silk with dark pink embroidery on the hem and on the plunging neckline. It wasn’t the sort of dress Emma would choose for herself, but she had to admit—she really liked it.

“Who cares what I’m wearing? You’re the bride, and you are all anyone will see.”

“Right.” Madeline puffed out her cheeks and let out a long breath. “I can’t believe it. I am the bride.” She glanced at her watch. “Three hours. Libby, where’s my task chart?”

Only Madeline would make a chart of tasks for her wedding.

“According to your list, it’s snack time!” Libby said. “I’m going to pop into the house and get our snacks. Trudi, can you help me?”

The two women went out, leaving Madeline, her task chart, and Emma.

Emma sat on a little built-in bench directly across from Madeline. “You’re beautiful, Madeline. Truly beautiful.”

“I really must be if you say so, because we all know you only say what’s true.” She laughed. “You know what sucks, Em?” Madeline asked. She had taken to calling Emma that of late. “Even on my wedding day, I am not as beautiful as you. It’s not fair. How’s Luke holding up?”

“Great!” Emma said. “Last I heard, he was talking about plans to expand the house.”

“That’s what he’s thinking about? Well, I’m glad to know he’s not nervous or anything!” She shook her head. “And Leo? Is he okay?”

Emma averted her gaze. “He’s okay,” she answered truthfully. “He’s in his chair and he’s talking. But he looks exhausted. Maybe because Marisol put a tux on him. He is pleased with the outcome and apologized to Luke for upstaging him, but I think it took a lot out of him.”

Madeline frowned and looked down. It was like that now. When anyone mentioned Leo, everyone looked away, too afraid to see what was coming. Leo had explained that to Emma one evening when they were planning his party.

“And how are you, Em?” Madeline asked.

“Me?” Emma said. “Okay.”

Madeline smiled sadly at her. “I wish Cooper was here.”

Emma stilled. Her first instinct was to brush that off, but her shoulders sagged. “Me, too,” she said. More than she could ever convey.

The door of the RV opened and Libby hopped in with a tray of finger foods.

“Where’s Trudi?” Madeline asked.

“She decided she needed something a little more substantial, so she’s making a sandwich.”

Madeline laughed. “That’s my Trudi.”

“Hey,” Libby said. “I need to tell you guys something.”

“God, no bad news, Libby! No drama, please! It’s my wedding day!” Madeline pleaded as she reached for a pita square from the tray.

“Nothing like that,” Libby scoffed. She was beaming, Emma noticed. An ear-to-ear grin. “I know it’s your day and all, but I can’t wait another minute.”

“For what?” Madeline cried, fearing the worst.

Emma knew. Actually, she’d guessed it quite a long time ago. “Libby . . . that’s fantastic.”

“What?” Madeline demanded.