I took a glance around and smiled. This place really was our home. Everything had been falling into place and I couldn’t have been happier. When we landed a huge deal with a local winery in the hill country, The Dallas Morning News asked to do an interview. Once she got past all the NASCAR questions, we really got to talk about our plans for the future, plus it was a great plug for the bed and breakfast.
“The phone for the bed and breakfast has been blowing up all day and at first I couldn’t figure out why until I realized it was the article in the paper. We are booked up for the next year.”
Emmit and I both looked at her with stunned looks. “What?” Emmit asked as I shook my head.
“Yep. One year out; I finally told Janet to start putting people on a waiting list until I could talk to Addie about how she wanted to do reservations that far out.”
The smile on my future wife’s face caused my body to heat up. Damn, I’d give anything to take her right here.
Elizabeth walked out and it felt like someone poured cold water over me. My semi hard-on was gone in an instant.
“Paislie, the caterer is on the phone.”
A look of horror moved across Paislie’s face as she dashed back into the house, followed by Elizabeth.
“So, what’s it like having one of your wife’s best friend’s be a nun?”
Glaring at Emmit, I shot him the finger as he laughed. “Don’t you have anything else to do besides sit here and harass me? Like go help your wife with your daughter, or anything other than being in my face.”
Emmit stood and flashed me a smile that told me he was about to be up to no good. “Bachelor party tonight.”
“No. Dude, it’s the night before my wedding. There is no way in hell I’m going out with you.”
Emmit shrugged his shoulders. “We’re not going out. We’ll be at the B&B having a grand ole time celebrating the last hours of your freedom.”
A bad feeling swept over me as I stood. “Emmit, I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“It’ll be fine. What happened to the old Malcolm I knew? The guy who looked for any excuse to be a dick and have a good time.”
“I’m going to ignore the dick comment. I fell in love, grew up, and I really don’t want to go to my wedding with a hangover.”
Emmit grinned from ear to ear. “Then don’t drink. We need to be there by eight.”
Before I had a chance to even argue with him, he was gone.
“Shit,” I mumbled as I glanced down to Deuce. “What do you think, boy? Hanging out with the guys one more time isn’t going to hurt, right?”
Deuce barked and then put his head back down as if he was disappointed in me.
“What do you know? You’re a dog.”
“OH MY GOODNESS. PAISLIE, YOU look beautiful,” Annie said as she straightened out my train.
I took a peek at myself in the mirror and gasped at the reflection.
“Wow.”
It was all I could say as I stared at the woman I hardly recognized. My brown hair had been pulled up and curled with baby’s breath flowers tucked all through out. I wore a simple pearl necklace that Janet had given to me one afternoon while we were walking alone in the vineyard. It meant more to me than she would ever know. She had become more than just Malcolm’s assistant; she was like my surrogate mother.
Adaline handed me a pair of pearl drop earrings that we had bought together that she had insisted would be perfect and she was right. I put each one on and smiled when our eyes caught. “They’re totally perfect.”
She smirked and replied, “Told you they were.”
Turning back to the mirror, I took in the beautiful strapless ball gown dress. “I love the sweetheart neckline so much on you,” Adaline said as she gave me a loving look in the mirror.
“I do too,” I softly spoke.
The moment Annie and I saw the dress, I knew it was perfect. The lace bodice flowed beautiful into English net that covered the satin dress. Lace appliqué lined the bottom of the dress and added the perfect amount of elegance.
Pulling my wedding dress up, I looked at the Jimmy Choo shoes Malcolm had bought me for today. I almost fell out of my chair when I opened them. I wasn’t used to getting such expensive gifts, and I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to it.
“Please, Lord, don’t let me break my neck walking in these,” I whispered as Annie giggled. She was the first person I called after Malcolm gave them to me. Only she would understand that moment since she had practically begged me to use my savings to buy shoes like this.
Elizabeth walked up to me and placed her hands on my shoulders. I instantly felt calm with her touch. “Okay, it’s time. Take a deep breath and slowly blow it out.”
Doing as she said, I closed my eyes and inhaled through my nose and out my mouth. When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t help but smile as Annie held my bouquet of pink peonies. I was instantly transported back to when Malcolm asked me to marry him.
With my eyes closed, I could practically feel his lips on my body.
Annie cleared her throat and said, “Um, Paislie I’m pretty sure I know what you’re thinking about, but in all seriousness here, we have a nun in the room.”
Everyone started laughing as I felt my cheeks heat as I glared at my best friend.
Three knocks on the door signaled it was time.
“Ready?” Adaline asked as I nodded my head. “Let’s hope Emmit doesn’t try to escape during the ceremony.”