Page 85 of The Texan's Secrets

Emilia had intended to call Nick, but the busy pre-wedding day had gotten away from her. As part of the bridal party, she’d been pampered all morning. The rehearsal had taken up the afternoon. Afterward, the formal dinner at the mansion had lasted well into the night with speeches and celebration.

Before now, she hadn’t known how the other half lived. She’d discovered they lived very, very well.

They’d been treated to a fancy ladies’ brunch on the wedding morning, with several of Maggie’s female relatives and close friends attending. The mood had been buoyant since the Del Rio–Winters feud was completely in the past, with Winters family members Camille, Alisha and Tiffany as honored guests at the brunch.

As part of their preparation for the ceremony, Maggie, Misha and Emilia had each bathed in rose-petal baths, then headed to the pool house for their hair and makeup.

Ashley from the Saint Tropez Salon was working Maggie’s hair into a cascade of braids and curls around a twisting crystal vine headpiece. Emilia wasn’t sure she’d ever seen anything so beautifully luxurious.

The short, perky Lisle had pulled Misha’s wavy auburn hair to one side with a jeweled clip. While a friendly woman named Adeline had somehow shaped Emilia’s short hair into a froth of softness, letting it frame her face while drawing a few strands back from her temples into French braids that met in a clip at the back of her head.

Emilia had worn her contacts for the wedding day, and her professionally made-up eyes looked unusually large and round. Adeline had used a glossy terra-cotta lipstick shade and done something wonderful with her cheekbones.

“Wow,” she said now as she gazed in the mirror.

“I love it,” Adeline said with a smile.

“You look wonderful,” Misha said from her nearby chair.

“We all do,” Emilia agreed. “Especially you, Maggie.”

“You don’t have to flatter me,” Maggie said with a laugh. “I feel fantastic.”

“You look amazing,” Misha chimed in.

“Seriously,” Emilia added enthusiastically. “Maggie, Jericho is going to be stunned when he sees you.”

“That’s what we’re striving for,” Ashley said with a beaming smile. She was clearly pleased with how Maggie looked.

“Not too stunned, I hope,” Maggie said with a mock frown. “He’s got vows to recite.”

“I’m sure he’ll find a way to spit them out,” Misha said, tilting her head sideways as she surveyed herself in the mirror.

The photographer came in through an open doorway. “Okay if I take some action shots?” she asked.

“Shoot away,” Maggie said, turning in a swivel chair to smile at the camera as she came to her feet.

Emilia wished they were dressed in something more formal than satin robes. She doubted she’d ever look this fancy again, and she would have liked to get a copy of one of the photos. It never hurt to have a flattering headshot hanging around.

Natalie bustled in then. “Are you all ready?”

“Time to get dressed?” Maggie asked, looking suddenly nervous.

“It’s time,” Natalie said.

Maggie grasped the back of her chair. “It suddenly seems so real.”

“Is that bad?” Misha asked, looking at Maggie with concern.

“She’s a bride.” Natalie stepped forward and took Maggie’s hands in hers. “Last minute nerves are normal.”

“Is everything okay?” Emilia asked, moving closer to Maggie for support, wondering if her hesitation was serious. Could they have all missed something about the relationship? Was there a problem?

But Maggie smiled bravely. “Everything’s fine.”

“It’s not too late to back out,” Emilia offered.

Six shocked expressions turned her way.

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