Page 10 of The Yes at Yuletide

“Come on, ladies,” Mom said. “If they’re lining up, that means Cactus’s timer went off. We need to get in line too.” She got lost in the fray of clicking heels and swishing skirts, and Aurora felt lost for a moment, tossed in a stormy sea without an anchor.

She wanted to cry out to her mother not to leave her, but she managed to keep the words dormant. Finally, her mom turned back to her, and Aurora saw her in a brand-new way that made a sob wrench its way out of her throat.

Mom took her into another hug and with her tight grip, Aurora got all the pieces back into the right places. “Come on,” Mom whispered. “Your dad’s right here.” She led Aurora gently away from the mirror and toward the door.

The hallway beyond that door echoed with chatter, and it hurt her ears. She wanted everyone to be quiet, as everything seemed so loud to her.

Then Bishop appeared, and he wore a smile the size of Texas. Mom passed her to him, and all the noise silenced. With Bishop, she was safe. With Bishop, she was loved. With Bishop, she was protected, and nothing could go wrong. Absolutely nothing.

“Hey, honey.” His voice calmed her further. “You ready to become Mrs. Oliver Osburn?”

“Yes, sir,” she said, her voice only slightly throaty.

Bishop pulled away from her, his smile still stuck brilliantly to his face. “Let’s do this then.” He cocked his arm, and Aurora put her arm through his. Aurora watched her mom link arms with Grandma Lois on one side and Aunt Dawna on the other. Those three women were such role models to her, and Aurora hoped they’d be proud of her, no matter what happened in Savannah.

“We’re a go,” Bishop said, and that got whoever stood at the front of the line to move. Aurora had wanted all of Ollie’s uncles in the wedding party. His family meant as much to him as hers meant to her. That meant Rhett would be leading the party out, and sure enough, she caught sight of him as he reached the corner and turned to go toward the altar.

Since it was just their two families, and nearly all of them were in the wedding party, that left Mitch and Lincoln as the oldest kids to watch the babies and toddlers and other children. Each set of parents should collect their kids and find a spot to stand in, as they’d only set up tables for dinner; no chairs for the actual ceremony.

The line inched forward, and Ollie’s grandmother turned and met Aurora’s eyes before she went with her husband. She’d been in Ollie’s room with him instead of coming into the brides’ room with the other women.

Finally, it was just her and Bishop around the corner. Everyone else had made the walk and would be milling about the altar. Judge would be standing behind it.

Most importantly, Ollie would be standing in front of it, waiting for her to join him. Waiting to see the dress for the first time. Waiting to become her husband.

Bishop looked at her again, and Aurora stretched up and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Dad,” she whispered.

He closed his eyes in bliss and smiled softly. “I love you too, baby.” He took her out into the open, and they faced the hall. Everyone turned toward them, and Ward’s guitar filled the hall with the wedding march.

Aurora wanted to go now, but Bishop held her back. He breathed and then he tightened his arm against hers. They stepped together, and the crowd shifted again, giving her a clear sight-line to Ollie.

She sucked in a breath, the sight of him in a tuxedo the most delicious thing she’d ever seen. He held his hands clasped in front of him all formal-like, and just like all of her uncles and all of his, he wore a deep, dark, black cowboy hat on his head.

“Oh, I love him so much,” she whispered.

“I know you do, baby,” Bishop whispered back.

The walk to the altar took seconds, and Bishop kissed her cheek and slid her arm from his to Ollie’s.

They looked at one another, and with everyone they loved watching, he leaned down and swept his lips along her cheek. “I adore you,” he whispered. “That is the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever seen, and you are everything I’ve ever wanted.”

A thrill ran through her, and she pressed her cheek to his, ready to become his wife.

Chapter Seven

Penny Walker stood in the front of all of her sons, their wives, and all of her grandchildren. She held little five-year-old Trap’s hand, his sweet fingers against hers making her heart melt all the way to her toes.

She couldn’t believe one of her grandsons was getting married today. Momma blinked, and she could see herself and Gideon standing at the altar. Yes, Gideon had been older than Ollie. She’d been slightly older than Aurora, but the girl reminded Momma so much of herself.

A strong woman with big dreams. A woman with a plan. A woman with skills.

Oliver had gotten a really good girl to like him. He’d taken care of her, and now he was going to become her husband.

“Dear friends,” Judge Glover said, and Momma sure did love the way he officiated weddings. She’d been to a few of the other Glover weddings, and he always brought such a calming spirit with him.

Momma watched as Oliver’s boxy shoulders relaxed, and the last of Ward Glover’s guitar chords faded into silence. He slipped from the stool near the front of the hall and faded into the crowd.

Gideon squeezed her hand, and Momma looked at him. “Reminds me of us,” he murmured.

---