Page 122 of Fall for You
“Isn’t it beautiful?” She was grinning across the barn, in the general direction of Drew, who was ushering an elderly couple down the aisle. But it was clear she meant the barn as a whole, and…
“Yeah,” Dallas said. “You’ve really created something special here, Bailey.”
Bailey’s eyes went wide with surprise, and Brandon looked like he was smothering a laugh in the awkward silence that followed.
But the stunned silence didn’t last long, and he didn’t have a chance to tease Bailey for not being able to handle a simple compliment from her twin brother because the minister asked people to find their places.
Lewis stood at the front with his groomsmen, nervously adjusting his suit jacket as the wedding march began.
People stood and turned to smile at the bridesmaids as they headed down the aisle.
When it was Ronnie’s turn, Dallas could only stare in wonder. She was always beautiful, but watching her like this—a petite queen with her head held high and a smile on her lips…
Dallas had no idea how or why he’d been so freakin’ blessed. But he offered up a prayer of gratitude.
The ceremony was beautiful, the vows sweet and tender, the message heartfelt, the prayers and poem a lovely addition. People cheered when Lewis kissed his bride, and he noticed Ronnie wiping a finger under her eye. He tried to catch her gaze and let her know he was with her, but she was transfixed on her sister’s joy.
When it was over, Dallas wanted to rush to Ronnie’s side, but she was whisked away for photos. He instead found himselfcaught listening to Bailey’s plan for the reception and then bemoaning the fact that the honeymoon cabin wasn’t ready yet.
He loved his twin, but she was officially obsessed with this place.
A movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention, and he noticed Willow passing them in a rush, obviously heading for the service kitchen attached to the barn. He tried to catch her eye, but she kept her gaze averted. As if she was purposefully avoiding him.
Dallas frowned, breaking away from Bailey’s diatribe and heading after her.
It took him a minute, having to stop and greet a few people from town as he went, but eventually he stepped into the bustling service area and spotted Willow ordering the staff around, April hovering nearby as she put finishing touches on the wedding cake.
“We’ll start serving the canapés in five,” Willow said to the huddle of waitstaff. “We’ve already been over how that’s going to go, so I won’t repeat myself, but make sure you stick to your lines so that the entire room is covered.”
They all nodded, and Dallas waited for her sunshine smile and exaggerated praise. But it never came.
She stepped away from them, returning to the counter to continue slicing and dicing.
“Hey, Willow.” He approached her gently, darting his eyes at April, who gave him a sour look.
His expression folded with a quizzical frown, but April just shook her head and huffed, getting back to her cake decorating.
Clearing his throat, he tried to get his sister’s attention again. “Need any help?”
She muttered something like “No, thanks.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” she snapped.
“Because I’m here if you need?—”
“I don’t need you, Mr. Buttinski!” She spun around, her eyes flashing dangerously.
He blinked in surprise. “Willow…”
“You called Walter Spencer?” she huffed. “What is wrong with you?”
It was like she’d been holding on to this angst, and finally she couldn’t contain it any longer. He’d just put himself in the firing line, and there was no stopping it.
So, he took a step closer and softly murmured, “I was trying to protect you.”
“Yeah, yeah, you really convinced Mom and Dad of that. What I don’t understand is why you felt you had to.” She pointed the knife she was holding at him, and he took a step back. “Eric was just giving me a ride that day, you know? He was being kind. Why didn’t you come and ask me about it? Why’d you have to go behind my back?”
