Page 71 of The Best Man Wins

We break and she puts her hand to her nose. “I’ve been trying so hard not to cry all day. I keep reapplying my makeup.”

“You’re gorgeous,” I tell her. “No matter what.” I give her shoulder a squeeze. “I’m going to go make sure everything’s all set up, okay? But call me if you need anything. Anything. And I’ll come running.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Cora says and motions me away. “I’ll be here. Trying to hold my mascara together.”

I can’t help but grin. “You’ve got this.”

I step away from her. There’s just one more thread I have to tie up before I can count this as a success. I pull Lena aside and ask, “Have you seen Mandy?”

Lena jabs her thumb over her shoulder. “I think she’s on the porch.”

“Thank you.” I head downstairs and dash outside, looking for the wandering bridesmaid.

Mandy is leaning against the railing. She has a cigarette hanging between her fingers, pink curlers in her hair, and she’s staring off into the trees behind the house. When the screen door squeaks closed behind me, she glances at me and offers me a small smile.

“Hey,” she says.

“Hey yourself.” I park myself next to her, propping my elbows on the railing.

“I had to get out of there for a second,” she says. “Smelled too much like burnt ends and hairspray.”

I laugh. “You’re not kidding.” I let the silence settle between us for only a second before I sigh. “Listen…I know today must be hard on you. And if there’s anything I can do…”

“I’m not going to throw the wedding, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Mandy taps the ash from her cigarette over the edge of the railing.

Inwardly, I’m relieved. Technically, I could walk away now, job well done. But I look at her and she’s got a deep frown on her face.

No. Not job well done. I will not let one heart break today. I glance up at her and ask, “What changed your mind?”

Mandy tilts her head. “Look at that dumb oaf.”

I look up and spot Ray among his small bachelor party. He is making his rounds around the barn animals, loudly letting them all know, “I’m getting married!” A collie dog scampers away from him and his overwhelming enthusiasm and goes to hide in the barn.

Finally, a grin breaks across Mandy’s face. “I’ve never seen him this happy before.” She wets her lips and then adds, sincerely, “I love him too much to take that away from him.”

I nod at that, understanding. “You’re a good friend, Mandy. He’s lucky to have you in his life.”

“Yeah,” she says. But the sadness has lifted from her tone. She’s proud of that. And she should be. She lifts her hand toward him then and adds, “If he acts this much like a child through the whole wedding, though, I might have to disown his ass.”

I laugh at that. “What would they do without us?” I wink. I give her arm a light squeeze.

“Susie. Are you on?” Thom’s voice echoes through my ear.

I hold up a one second finger to Mandy and press against my earpiece. “I’m here.”

“Ten minutes before this place goes nuclear. Grab your ducklings.”

“Copy that.” I grip Mandy’s arm and guide her inside. “Come on—inside.” She puts out her cigarette, and we both rush upstairs to Cora’s room. I clap my hands to get everyone’s attention. “Hurry up time!” I call out. “Ten minutes, ladies!”

The scramble that follows is impressive. For once, the Southern locals and Northern transplants move as one beast, swapping hair spray and eyeliner to speed up the process. I’m proud of Team Cora; they’re all ready to go before I even call time.

I shepherd my girls downstairs. Cora stays behind in the house so she can come out for her reveal. In the meantime, the bridesmaids and I all congregate around the ceremony area. It looks great, if I do say so myself. The whole thing is breathtaking. We have a crowd of people sitting in the white folding chairs, waiting for the ceremony to start. The abandoned train tracks, still overrun with a smattering of grass, run through the center of the chairs and through the altar. The arbor at the end of the aisle is stunning, someone’s old entranceway turned into an honest altar. Painted white and entwined with magnolias, no one can notice the difference. The local pastor from Ray’s church stands underneath the awning, his bible in hand.

At the end of the arbor stands Ray. He’s looking dapper in a black suit and silver vest. He’s a cowboy ready for the runway. The smile is what does it, though—he won’t stop smiling this giant, ridiculous grin.

His groomsmen stand beside him. Except for one. Braxton appears beside me. He’s clean-shaven, his curly hair managed, and tucked away in a coal black suit. A thin tie slices his figure in half, and I’m tempted to reach out, grab it, and tug him closer to me.

“You clean up well,” I tell him.

---