Page 133 of The Making of Marnie Jones

He’d proposed a quick wedding—a week or two—to ensure she wouldn't change her mind.

She was adamant on a year. She wanted to be further along in her path to healing before she was ready to truly move forward in her life.

Kennedy, Rainbow, and Torah were going to be guests today.

Overall a small affair, with about thirty friends and family, including co-workers of both of them.

Wolf declined the invitation to the wedding, claiming he was off protecting a celebrity who visited refugee camps.

Marnie knew better.

Wolf wasn’t ready to face Olivia, and although she put on a brave face, she wasn’t ready to face him either. Their destinies were entwined, but today was not the day of their reunion.

Although Marnie understood, Jake had bristled, annoyed his best friend was letting him down. When she invited Jessica to join them, he relented.

Jessica had flown in from Burkina Faso to stand up for him.

Jake had admitted to Marnie the episode in the condo when Jess made a pass at him, but Marnie’d taken it in stride since he’d pledged himself to her. No reason for concern.

When Marnie extended the olive branch of friendship, Jessica grasped it, confiding she had few close friends.

The women bonded quickly, despite the great distance. They discovered they both loved cooking Greek food, riding horses, and both secretly possessed an affinity for reading romance novels.

Jessica visited several times over the past year, and Marnie found a new friend.

The redhead would stun in her black-satin gown.

Maybe a little overdressed for the occasion, but Marnie didn’t care. What mattered was her friend was there to stand up for Marnie’s soon-to-be husband.

The only trauma from the past year had been Lydia's death. Ten months ago, she died of a drug overdose.

Marnie and Jake had been there to support Olivia every step of the way, and the younger woman again embraced being a survivor rather than the victim. She’d earned her high school equivalency and was starting university in the fall. She and Tristan were still seeing each other, and Olivia confided she still wasn't ready for anything beyond the chaste relationship they had.

Tristan's infinite patience never strained, as he simply enjoyed her company and the future was something neither appeared ready to contemplate.

“How can I be nervous when I’m marrying the man I love?”

Olivia rolled her eyes but grinned. She was accustomed to the affection between her uncle and her best friend. “It's time.”

The limousine pulled up, and Marnie’s father stepped out and made his way up the walkway.

An enthusiastic Bianca greeted him at the door, and Marnie’s heart stuttered when her father petted the dog.

His lack of concern about dog hair was refreshing, and he appeared younger. He was a man with a spring in his step, far less uptight and staid than he’d been before. He glanced at Marnie and stepped forward to place a kiss on her cheek. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you.” She offered him a serene smile. “I'm ready.”

“That's good, because everybody’s waiting for you.” His tone carried a hint of amusement.

Olivia clipped on Bianca’s lead while Martin escorted Marnie to the car.

The limo ride to Heritage Park, where the wedding was being held, took a mere five minutes.

Not enough time for Marnie to get nervous.

Olivia and Bianca stepped out first.

The retriever had two wedding rings tied around her neck, attached to the custom-made, navy-blue collar matching her mistress’s dress. Little question where her loyalty lay. Well-trained, she was becoming a certified comfort dog.

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