Page 29 of Enduring Magic

“Are you okay, sister?”

Summer opened her eyes and met Autumn’s concerned gaze. “I think so.”

Winnie approached and wrapped an arm around her. “What’s the problem?”

How could Summer explain her reaction was a post-traumatic response to when Coop was on and off again in those days before they moved to North Carolina? That her nerves were whacked-out from the ring debacle and her memories were returning to taunt her with the what-ifs of him deciding she was too much? That her family was too much?

“I recognize that look.” Holly shooed their sisters away and approached. Placing her hands on either side of Summer’s face, she gazed deeply into her eyes. “You’re on the verge of a panic attack, Summer. For a while, I suffered through those after Quentin and Frankie changed our timeline.” With light fingers, she massaged Summer’s temples. “You have to breathe and remember everything is going to be just fine. Coop’s out there, anxiously waiting for you to join him, and if he had cold feet, you’d have known it long before today.”

“He still doesn’t love magic and prefers normal most days. That’s not us.” Summer gestured to all of them and gnawed her lip. “What if it gets to be too much for him again?”

“It won’t.” A sparkle lit Holly’s jade eyes. “Can I confess something?”

Summer nodded jerkily.

“Every single time Quentin returns from a traveling mission, I have him tell me what he knows of our family’s future.”

“And Coop and I are happy together?”

“Yep. You and Coop have a forever kind of love, sis. And that isn’t going away in any alternate reality.”

Tears of relief flooded Summer’s eyes, blurring Holly’s beloved face. “Thank you, Hol.”

“You deserve to be happy, and you will be.” She handed Summer a tissue. “Today is a celebration of your love. It’s meant to be a joyous occasion, and it will be once your nerves settle and you realize I’m right.”

“Coop loves you, sister,” Autumn added. “Anyone can tell by watching the two of you together.”

Summer smiled, albeit a little sadly. “I know he does. That was never in question. I’m just freaking out about long-term and how much he’s willing to put up with.”

“You’ll get your assurance after he commits today, but I really don’t think he’s ever going anywhere,” Winnie said with a sweet smile. “Zane told me that Coop has mentioned countless times how blessed he is. You and Olivia are all he can talk about.”

“Olivia!” Summer put her palm to her forehead. “I forgot to check—”

Autumn soothed her with a hand on her arm. “She’s fine and being cared for. Don’t worry about Ollie.”

Sabrina, who had been waiting at the tent opening with Chloe, approached with a purpose. “I can show you the future, Miss Summer. Papa doesn’t like it when I do, but if it will make you feel better, I can show you.”

The Aether’s daughter was known to blurt out predictions when trouble was about to descend on someone she liked, regardless of her father’s rule to keep such things to herself. Looking into the obsidian eyes of the girl, Summer could see the clarity and calm Sabrina possessed. There was no troubled expression or worry lurking anywhere to be seen. And for that reason, she rejected the kind offer.

“Thank you, Sabrina. I have the feeling if this was a bad idea, you’d have already said so.” The sunny smile Summer received bolstered her resolve and dissolved the last of her fears. “I think you gave me the gift of security without breaking your word to your father, didn’t you?”

“Maybe. Can I change the flowers to purple, Miss Summer? I think they would be prettier,” Sabrina said with a sly grin.

“You are a master negotiator, kid. It’s a good thing purple is one of my absolute favorite colors.” Summer smiled as she tapped Sabrina’s nose. “Should we change the bridesmaid dresses, too?”

Eyes wide with hero worship, Sabrina nodded.

“You and Chloe can go to town and have fun with it.”

The girls squealed and lit their tent with brilliant bolts of color as they tried to find the perfect shade of purple to suit their tastes. Summer laughed along with her sisters as Sabrina and Chloe chattered happily. Their joy went a long way to ease her stress.

Alastair peeked his head through the tent opening. “It’s time, my dear. Preston’s waiting outside.”

“He can come in, Dad.” She looked at Autumn. “Ready to herd the girls for the long walk down the aisle?”

“I’m on it.”

Preston and Alastair held back the sides of the tent so the wedding procession could line up. Chloe and Sabrina were dressed in matching amethyst dresses with a fluorescent green bow around the waist. They carried pale-yellow baskets full of the rainbow-colored flowers they’d decided on.

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