Page 96 of Give Me Perfect Love

It’s a perfect day.

The music starts with “Unchained Melody” softly playing on the old vinyl record player. That’s the cue for me to walk.

I wink at Emily, entwine my arm with Jace’s, and move my feet as Bryce smiles at me. He’s so handsome in his light-green shirt and gray vest. His tie is plaid with hints of pink, dark jeans cover his legs, and light-brown oxfords are on his feet.

My dress is also light green, and I have a pink daylily in my hair with a single sunflower in my hand. We approach the end, and with a sweet kiss on my now healed cheek, Jace moves to Lee’s side and I stand on the side where Emily will be.

Lou didn’t want to be a part of the actual wedding party, but, of course, she helped plan every single moment. Monnie said he was too round to get into a vest and told his old hunting buddy/brother he would rather have a front row view.

I’m Emily’s maid of honor and her only bridesmaid. Bryce is the best man, only because he’s older than Jace.

It’s a small wedding, and the little white chairs are filled with close friends and family. I look around and see Claire. She’s glowing happily with her arm through Austin’s.

Claire’s hair is falling in soft spiral curls, and her makeup is light. Her dress is a soft teal, and she’s wearing matching wedges. She looks beautiful.

Austin is wearing a white button-up shirt. His top button is undone, and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. He has on light gray jeans rolled up around his black boots. He’s cut his long hair; he looks handsome, and I’m so glad they’re not hiding anymore.

He leans back in his chair, looking cool and content. He winks at me and moves his toothpick to the opposite side of his slightly crooked grin. I wink back as the “Bridal Chorus” begins to play.

Lee insisted they come, saying any friend of mine was a friend of the family’s.

There’re no words to describe how grateful I am that these wonderful people have accepted me so easily.

Just as they accepted Bryce and Jace all those years ago.

Emily, in all her beauty, comes walking down the small aisle. She is holding a bouquet of sunflowers and white daisies. Her white dress is sleeveless and has an Audrey Hepburn look, like she stepped right out of the late fifties. I believe this will be the only time I ever see her in a dress. The woman of the ranch is also the vet. She loves her jeans and boots, button-up shirts, and pulled back hair. She’s easy-going and a perfect match for the laid-back Lee Grant.

I watch as she smiles and looks at everyone before her sweet eyes land on Lee, who is gazing at her in awe. My heart flutters, pointing its finger at the one I love.

I look over at Bryce, catching his smile as he watches Emily walk toward us. I trail off with my thoughts, wondering how it would be to have him look at me as I make my way down in a white dress.

He must feel me looking, because his blues turn to me, and I give him a small smile.

“I love you,” he mouths.

“Me, too,” I whisper back.

________

After the ceremony and cake cutting, we all dance and enjoy the food as well as each other. The rocking chairs are rocking now, and the timed lights have turned on, gifting us a small glow as the sun descends.

“Come on, Kat. Have a dance with this old man,” Lee says, extending his hand to me.

I smile up at him. Bryce lifts his lip when I look over and stand up. I put my hand in Lee’s, and we walk to the laid out dance floor.

“The ceremony was beautiful,” I say to him.

He nods. “That it was.”

I let him lead us around the floor. “How’s everything going with you and Bryson?”

I look up at him. “Great.”

“Good. Glad to see my boy is treating you well.”

And that’s all the conversation we have. Over the last few months, I’ve come to know Lee better. He doesn’t like to pry. He’s straightforward and real. He also understands that Bryce is a private person, and I guess he understands that I am, too. We are both alike in that way.

“May I cut in?” Jace asks.

---