Page 61 of Casey's Hero

She wore the silky robe Casey had left for her. They sneaked out through a side door to keep the men from seeing her before the wedding.

When they arrived at the chapel twenty minutes later, they entered the rectory where Mina had set up shop for the afternoon. They spent the next two hours on makeup for Kalea and Casey. When Mina finished, Hank’s wife, Sadie, and little girl, Emma, showed up to help them get dressed. The photographer arrived early, snapping pictures of Kalea at various stages of preparation. When the bride was dressing, the photographer had Casey and Sadie pose with Kalea in place of her mother.

Casey hugged her friend. “Your mother would be so proud of you. You’re absolutely stunning.”

Kalea blinked back tears.

“Don’t cry,” Casey exclaimed. She grabbed a tissue and held it out for Kalea. “You’ll smear your makeup. And Mina did a wonderful job.”

After the bride was dressed in her simple white dress, Mina appeared carrying a beautiful white Haku Lei, the traditional Hawaiian headdress worn by Hawaiian brides.

Again, Kalea’s eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t know…”

“Your mother would have insisted,” Casey said.

Mina settled the wreath of flowers in Kalea’s dark hair, blinking back her own tears.

Casey grabbed several tissues and passed them around to all the ladies, including herself. “You’re beautiful,” she said and sniffed. “Hawk is a very lucky man.”

The photographer snapped photos of the bride and the ladies assisting her. “I’ll be back. I need to get photos of the men getting ready.”

Casey held Kalea’s hand. “At this point, I always ask the bride if she’s absolutely sure this is what she wants to do. But I can see by the happiness in your face that this is so right.”

Kalea nodded. “Hawk is the man for me.” She squeezed Casey’s hand. “I hope to be at your wedding next.”

Casey wrinkled her brow. “I’m not even engaged.”

“I think it’s only a matter of time.” Kalea winked. “Rooster only has eyes for you.”

Casey’s stomach filled with butterflies.

“How will he resist you when you look so beautiful in that dress?” Kalea said.

The reflection in the mirror showed two beautiful women.

Casey smiled at Kalea’s reflection. “You’rethe beauty today. This is your day to shine the brightest.”

Kalea laughed. “Sadie McClain is here.” She smiled at Hank’s wife. “No one can compete with her.”

“Honey, there is no competition here,” Sadie said. “You’re absolutely stunning.” She lifted Emma in her arms. “You’re the star of this show, sweetie.”

Emma stared at Kalea, her eyes wide. “You’re a princess.”

Kalea laughed. “I feel like one.”

The door opened, and Sylvia Rodriguez, Casey’s potential client, entered. “I hope you do not mind, but I could not resist. I had to see what was going on behind the scenes.”

“Please, come in,” Kalea said. “Casey has done a fantastic job pulling this wedding together. You can’t go wrong with her as awedding planner. She goes above and beyond the call of duty.” Kalea winked at Casey, sharing their secret.

Casey glanced at the clock on the wall, and her heart skipped several beats. “It’s time.”

As the words left her mouth, Kalea’s father appeared at the door. “The groom is in place. Is the bride ready?” He stopped when he spotted his daughter, and tears filled his eyes.

Casey handed him a tissue.

He wiped his eyes as he held his daughter’s hand. “You’re beautiful. Just like your mother.”

Kalea hugged her father.

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