Page 52 of Love for a Lifetime

Outside, Dawson and Jacob approached the fence, and a blue roan stepped up to greet them. She took to the kid like an old friend, and Dawson kept his distance. He’d only scare her off if he tried to get in on the petting.

“What’s this one’s name?” Jacob asked.

“I don’t know. Want to take a guess? We can ask Matthew and Tammie later.”

A door creaked behind them, and Olivia stepped out onto the small porch of the bride’s cabin. Her dark hair was pinned up in curls, leaving her neck on full display. The navy dress flowed out, brushing against her calves.

“Wow.” Dawson’s reaction slipped out before he could censor it.

“She’s pretty,” Jacob said.

“Truer words were never spoken, kid.”

Olivia turned their way and waved when she spotted them. Then she stuck her head back inside. A woman with dark hair pulled back into a high ponytail wearing a white blouse and dark dress pants stepped out. Olivia pointed at Dawson and Jacob, and the woman cradled the camera hanging on a strap around her neck close to her chest.

“Oh no. We’ve been targeted,” Dawson said.

“What for?”

“Photos,” Dawson whispered ominously.

“Ick,” Jacob said. “Dad said I had to smile a lot today."

Dawson bumped Jacob’s shoulder. “I’m sure everyone would appreciate that.”

Jacob tilted his head from side to side. “Okay. It’s just that my cheeks hurt if I smile a lot.”

“It’s a good thing you’re tough.”

The woman made her way over and greeted them with handshakes. “Hi. I’m Gloria, one of the photographers. Olivia said Lyric would really like some photos with you two and the horses.”

Dawson held up his hands. “I’d love to, but the horses don’t like me so much. Jacob, on the other hand, has them wrapped around his finger.”

Gloria smiled at Jacob. “Can I take some photos while you play with the horses?” she asked.

“If you want.”

Dawson hung around while Jacob made friends with the horses. The kid befriended Gloria too, and he had her laughing the whole time.

A few early guests were starting to arrive, and before long the groomsmen were all accounted for. Gloria ushered Dawson and Jacob back to the groom’s cabin where she took a bunch of photos of them pretending to get ready, even though they’d been in their suits for an hour.

“Why are we pretending?” Jacob asked Dawson when the photographer walked a few feet away.

“Because people like to remember their wedding day. Lyric wants to remember that we all knew how to get dressed.”

Jacob nodded. “That makes sense.”

After pretending to get ready, the men moved outside for a few more photos. Another photographer was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Olivia near the small chapel where the wedding would take place. She was far enough away that he couldn’t see her face, but he’d know Olivia’s stance anywhere. She pointed to the camera screen the woman beside her held and said something to the photographer.

A man was walking toward the two women, and Dawson groaned. He hadn’t come with a date, but Olivia had. The guy was stocky with a bushy beard, and he wore a dark-green button-down with neon-green swirls all over it.

“What is that guy wearing?” Jacob asked.

The thought could have been pulled straight from Dawson’s mind, and it took everything he had to resist making the joke perching on his tongue. He crossed one arm over his chest and covered his mouth with the other.

“He’s heading for Olivia. Does she know him?” Jacob asked.

“I hope not,” Dawson said, keeping his attention trained on the guy he wanted to squash like a bug.

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