Page 138 of Boston
And if Cole really got married at Christmastime, his timeline would be half that.
Eric sat on the opposite couch from Harry, Cash, and Boston, and Cole slinked over there next to him. Joey would have all of her female cousins in the bridal suite, along with her mother and grandmother. She’d agonized over wanting to have Georgia inthe room with her as well, and whether that would upset Lauren. Adam had told her that it was her wedding and her day, and if there was any time that he approved of being selfish, it was then.
She’d asked Georgia to come in and help her get ready, and while Adam suspected that it bothered Lauren, she hadn’t said anything.
He only wanted the best for Joey, from the time she woke up until the time she went to bed, and he couldn’t believe that he was about to make her his wife.
Adam couldn’t believe he was getting married at all. Dating and women had not been on his radar much as he built his career. Country Quad wasn’t actively performing, which meant he didn’t have to travel or dedicate his life to someone besides his spouse. As he had many times before, Adam keenly felt and saw the hand of God in his life. The Lord had certainly put him in contact with Harry Young years ago, and He’d made Harry restless and almost desperate to return to Coral Canyon.
Not only that, but the timing had been exactly right, and Adam believed more in God’s timing of things more than ever. Because just when his job was ending with Harry, Morris had wanted to retire and the Young brothers band needed new management.
Some could call it convenient that there was an available female in the family, but Adam believed in deeper things than that, and he knew Joey did too.
He moved over to the couch and took in all the dark brown suits. Joey didn’t want anyone in black at her wedding, though it was definitely the most formal color. She’d chosen deep brown fabric, the color of rich earth, for the suits, cowboy hats and boots, all of which had been purchased new for every male in the family, all the way down to the youngest—Bryce’s son, Matty—up to the oldest, her grandfather.
They wore the same pink tie as him, but Adam actually wore a black tuxedo, complete with formal tails. He also had a pink vest to match his tie, and when Harry looked up over his shoulder at him, he quickly got to his feet.
“Is it time?”
“You’re supposed to be keeping him on time today,” Bryce said as he approached.
Harry glanced at his phone and then pushed it into his pocket. “I think it’s time. We have to get in the golf cart and go all the way over to the amphitheater.”
Adam and Joey had taken that ride, and it had taken ten minutes. Joey wanted to start the wedding at precisely four o’clock so that they could be married, have time for family pictures, and be ready to sit down for dinner at Carvers at five p.m.
A full steak dinner would be served to everyone they’d invited to the wedding, with a reception to follow from seven to nine.
Yes, Adam had a very long evening ahead of him.
He couldn’t wait to take Joey back to the honeymoon suite right here at the Silver Sage Lodge and Resort, and then on their honeymoon.
That was the one thing that Joey had asked him to do all on his own, and he’d planned a warm vacation to Disney World in Florida and time on the beaches in Clearwater. Joey had always been a mountain country girl, and he wanted to show her that there were other fabulous places on the planet. He’d packed her bag for her, and they were on the first flight out of Jackson tomorrow, which didn’t actually take off until one-thirty in the afternoon.
“Let’s gather around,” Harry said. “We always say a few words before someone gets married.”
He glanced nervously over to Adam’s father, and then stepped that way. Adam had spent his life arranging details,and he told himself that everything that they’d coordinated with Boston was going to go off without a hitch. He’d already seen the tents for himself, and he’d witnessed several people working in the amphitheater to set up tables and chairs. The restaurant would be gorgeous and also decorated to their specifications.
Adam trusted Boston not to have missed a single thing.
Adam stood in the circle as everyone grouped around him, and he took the cowboy hat that Bryce gave him and set it on his head. “Does it look okay?”
“Looks amazing,” Bryce said, and he drew Adam into a hearty hug.
The man had such a big personality, and Adam reminded himself that he didn’t have to be Bryce or Harry. Being himself had gotten him this far, and he could just keep doing that.
“All right,” his father said. “Harry says you guys say a prayer before you go out to the wedding.” He swallowed and looked at Adam. “I’m going to defer to him, because I’m not real sure I’d be good at that.”
Adam gave his dad a small smile and then ducked his head. His mother had remained religious over the years, but Adam and his dad had definitely fallen away. He’d been rediscovering his relationship with the Lord for a while now, and that ember of warmth in his chest glowed brighter.
“I’m going to do it,” Harry said, and he reached up and swept his cowboy hat off his head. Everyone else did the same, and Adam slipped his free hand in his pocket as he bowed his head and pressed his hat to his chest.
“Dear Lord,” Harry said. He didn’t continue, and the sweetest, most powerful spirit that Adam had ever felt settled into the room. He’d seen Harry angry before, and upset over Belle, sure, but the man never really cried, and certainly not over Adam.
“We come before Thee on this fine afternoon, as thy humble sons,” Harry finally said. “And we acknowledge that we love Thee and want to serve Thee, however possible. We’re so grateful that Thou hast bound us together in family units, and that there is a brand new one being born today. Bless us all to feel our place with each other and with Thee, and give us strength to do good, speak up, and reach out.”
“I ask a special blessing on my favorite person in the world, besides Belle. Bless Adam that he will be calm and happy, even if something goes wrong.” Harry sniffled, though his voice remained even. Adam’s emotions stormed through him, and he swallowed as his eyes burned with unshed tears.
“We love Thee, Father, and ask for these favors and blessings on this wonderful wedding day. Amen.”
