Page 37 of Buried Roots

Bailey and Trinity stop by, and they look beautiful. Trinity’s wearing the same forest green dress as the others, but it’s puffier, and adorable. Bailey’s the fanciest, having put on a matching pearl necklace and earrings, along with a sash around her waist. Conversation with them is easy as we catch up, cut off by the tapping of glasses as the signal for everyone to take their seats.

Owen reappears and touches my arm. “Sit with us.”

Oh, no way—This is a family thing, and I’m more of a fade-into-the-background girl. “Thank you, but I’ve already put my things down.” I point to my things at a table in the back. “But I’ll see you right after.”

After I take my seat, a burly man who could double for Grizzly Adams approaches me with his hand extended. “Hi. I’m Jeb, a high school friend of Kayla and Owen’s.”

I return the handshake and hope he doesn’t crush my fingers. “Willow. Nice to meet you.”

He sits and introduces me to his friends, along with Owen’s cousin, Sissy.

She flashes me a bright, red-cheeked smile, her perfectly drawn-in eyebrows raised. “Nice to meet you, Willow. If you ever need any tattoos, including makeup work, I’m your gal. I do piercings wherever you want, if you know what I mean.”

“Thank you, Sissy. I’ll think about that.” Hmm. Maybe a foot tattoo would be cool.

“Where’s Dakota?” Sissy asks Jeb.

“I dunno, man.” Jeb shakes his head. “Probably drama there.”

What doesthatmean? I don’t feel comfortable asking, and the moment’s gone anyway because the servers bring out dishes catered by the Fine Bone, which I hear is the nicest restaurant here in Blue Vine. When I dig in, the steak literally falls apart on my fork, and I can’t help but notice my table-mates throwing back one drink after another. My phone buzzes, and I check it to see a text from Dakota.

Running late. Big emergency here at the shop, but I’ll be there soon.

Owen stands and taps a fork on his glass. “Hello, everyone, I’d like to make a toast. I know this hasn’t always been an easy path for Kayla, but it was the right path, and I’m so glad she stood up for what she knew in her heart.” He raises his glass to her. “I love you, Twinkball. I’m so proud of you.”

Kayla wipes away a tear and mouths, “Love you, Bambi.” She stands and gives him a hug.

Finding myself fighting off those damn tears again, I’m annoyed at how much this keeps happening. And I can’t help but notice how pretty Kayla is with her waves of dark locks, perfectly long lashes, and big brown eyes. Margaret is tiny, athletic, and they are an adorable couple.

After dinner is over, Owen comes to our table, braces for impact when Jeb stands, and gives him a bear hug along with a hefty slap on the back.

“How are you, buddy?” Owen raises his drink at Jeb, then looks at me. “Jeb led our football team to win championships senior year.”

“Aw, those were the good old days.” Jeb stumbles away.

“Sort of,” Owen mumbles. “I was the second-string kicker so… I kinda spent my life warming the bench.”

“Aw.” My voice softens. “You hit your peak now. Much better.”

Owen flashes me a humble nod as his cheeks flush.

I raise my glass to the crowd. “Pretty awesome reception.” The words feel right as they cross my lips. It isn’t anything like I’ve ever attended before, but there’s something amazing about a whole town blowing it out to celebrate a marriage. And they all seem to really care about one another—something you don’t experience in NYC.

Owen flashes me his charming smile as he gestures to the crowd of townsfolk starting to line-dance to the beat of their own drum. “These are my people.”

I find myself wishing they were mine, too. I’m lucky to have Natanya. Others have no one.

When Owen’s pulled away for a family photo, Jeb wanders back over and hands me a Cosmo. “Here. Since you’re from New York.”

I laugh. “Thanks, Jeb. That’s so sweet.” I absolutely hate Cosmos, but the offer is so thoughtful.

Dakota floats in looking like a classic beauty, wearing a soft pink gown that brings out the natural rose in her cheeks and accentuates her milky skin. She has a soft-featured face that you can’t help but trust and love. I mean, really—does she have any flaws?

“Willow!” She approaches and pulls me into a hug. “You look gorgeous. And I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Same.” I relax a little, having someone I’m comfortable hanging out with for the night.

After I take a sip of my drink and wince, Dakota says, “Ah, don’t you like Cosmos like every other woman from New York?” She rolls her eyes. “I loathe Cosmos, too. That’s just one of the many reasons why we have to be friends.”

---