The Perfect Homecoming (Pine River #3)

“I’m pregnant!” Libby squealed.

Madeline gasped. And then she leapt up and threw her arms around Libby. Libby managed to keep the tray from spilling, and Emma grabbed it from her hand. Libby wrenched partially free of Madeline’s grip and grabbed Emma’s wrist, forcing her to stand and join them.

“Oh my God, I hate group hugs,” Emma complained. But she laughed when Libby threw her arm around her neck and pulled her in close.

It was a joyous day, Emma thought when they finally untangled from each other. When she could forget her own troubles, she felt truly joyous. She had never really experienced a day quite like this, because for once, she felt part of something bigger than her narrow world as Libby talked excitedly about her and Sam’s plans.

She looked at her sisters chattering about Libby’s news. So much had happened to them, and yet look at them—they were family now. One marrying, one expecting, one drifting, but okay, Emma was here, she was present. In a strange way, that asshole father of theirs had made this happen. Not that Emma believed for one moment that Grant had intended to bring them together when he’d left the ranch to them. What he’d meant to do was unload a bothersome property and say he gave his kids something. But in spite of his intentions, he’d given them each other.

Not only was she part of this family, Emma wanted to be part of it. It was such an odd feeling, to want to be part of something instead of apart from it. It was a rusty emotion in desperate need of oil and buffing, but that’s exactly what she was feeling. She still hadn’t learned to trust her instincts entirely, but so much had happened to her here. For the better. It was remarkable, really. Emma had some gaping holes in her—one in her heart she could drive a truck through—but maybe there was enough here to fill it. Maybe.

And it felt good. It felt as good and real as anything had felt since . . . well, since Cooper.

The sisters dressed for the wedding together, chatting about everything. The weather was so bad that when the guests began to arrive, the Kendricks had no choice but to let them gather in the house. Trudi reported that there were too many of them—so many that the house was quickly too hot.

Emma had braided a green ribbon into her hair, then had the stylist wrap it into an artful chignon. “Wow,” Libby said, nodding approvingly at Emma’s dress. “Trust me, that never looked so good on Mom.”

“You’re adorable,” Emma said, admiring the short blue dress Libby had worn with her very high heels.

“It’s not exactly right for the weather,” Libby said, staring down at her stockings. “But what are you going to do? Adorable? Or warm?”

“Adorable, every time,” Emma said.

Madeline was more than adorable—she was gorgeous in a pale cream silk that skimmed her body, and pearls woven into her black hair. “My God,” Emma said approvingly. “I can’t believe that’s you. You’re stunning.”

Madeline laughed. “I can’t believe it’s me, either,” she said nervously.

“Well I can,” said Trudi. “Come on. You can’t keep a guy like Luke waiting.”

In preparation for the exchange of vows, everyone was ushered out to the tent. Naturally, the guests wore big parkas and huddled together like a herd of penguins. Emma and Libby stayed behind with Madeline to hug her once more and wish her the best, and then they dashed out, too. Libby found Sam, and Emma ducked into a corner, out of view of most, but with a line of sight to the back porch. It was the place she normally took—on the fringe, as Cooper had said.

The pastor appeared wearing a down coat. Luke followed, choosing not to wear a coat and looking very handsome in his tux. Behind him, also dressed in a tux, Bob wheeled Leo to the door. Someone had tucked a blanket in around Leo, so only part of his tux was visible.

The musicians Madeline had hired had set up in the shed. It was not exactly convenient, but at least the music could be heard. A little, anyway.

When they began to play the processional, Trudi and Madeline came around the corner of the house, holding their hems, smashed together under the umbrella. It was such a comical entrance that the guests couldn’t help but laugh.