Amelia had me, Wade, and Steed putting lights up in all the trees. Waylynn had gotten lanterns, and Trevor was hanging them in the tree that hung over the place where the ceremony was going to be held. Small tea candles gave off the perfect glow.
Trevor and Cord came up with the idea to use the hay bales for places to sit. Since it was just family and a few close friends who could make it at the last minute, we didn’t need a whole lot of seating.
Dad was helping one of his closest friends he had known since college put up the reception tent. We were keeping it simple. A grill had been brought over from the guest house, and the menu was hotdogs and hamburgers. Lucy offered to make up a batch of her homemade potato salad and her macaroni salad because she knew Corina loved it. Mrs. Johnson was making a few of her famous, award-winning, blueberry lemon lavender pies. They were Corina’s favorite, and she had asked for those instead of a cake.
The guest list had been pretty much kept to family, with a few exceptions. Robert and Mary were there with their newborn son, Jimmy. Lucy, Sheriff Miller, and Mrs. Johnson were also invited.
“I think we’ve got enough bales out,” Cord called up to me in the tree. “You need any help with the lights?”
“We’ve about got them all up. Maybe check with Dad to see if they need anything. If not, we should head back to the house to get ready.”
Cord gave me a thumbs up.
I put the last set of lights up and climbed out of the tree. It was going to look beautiful.
After climbing down, I looked around. “Wow, I can’t believe we pulled this off.”
Tripp hit me on the back. “That’s what happens when you have a big family who comes together to make it happen.”
I nodded, the lump in my throat keeping me from speaking.
Tripp continued, “I have to say, I’m impressed, little brother. You seem pretty calm in light of the fact that you’re getting married in a few hours.”
Wade chuckled. “You nervous at all?”
“A little,” I said. Truth was, my stomach was in knots. “Were you nervous, Wade?”
“Hell yeah. Not because I didn’t want to marry Amelia. It was a different type of nerves. I can’t explain it.”
I nodded. “I get you. That’s how I feel. I’m ready to marry her, but at the same time, I’m nervous as hell.”
“The pre-wedding nerves. Boys, each of you will experience it.” We turned to see our dad walking up.
“You were nervous before you married Mom?” Trevor asked.
Dad laughed. “I was so nervous I couldn’t eat. I just knew she was going to come to her senses and realize she was making a mistake by marrying me.”
We each chuckled.
My father placed his hand on my shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Mitchell. You followed your heart and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for my kids. Your happiness.” He looked around at his sons and Wade. “I’m proud of each and every one of y’all.”
The moment was getting heavy, and I knew my father was fighting to hold back tears.
Wade cleared his throat. “If you don’t want to be late for your wedding, we better get out of here and head back to the house.”
Everyone agreed and we started making our way to the trucks. I slipped in with Tripp, and we set off toward my parents’ place. It was the first time I’d had a chance to be alone with him since he found out Harley was back in town.
“You doing okay?” I asked.
He gripped the steering wheel harder. “I’m fine.”
“Liar. If you grip the wheel any harder, you’re going to pull it out of the dash.”
Tripp sighed heavily and pushed his hand through his hair. “I can’t believe she’s back. Why now? Why, after all these years, does she decide she wants to live in Oak Springs? It wasn’t good enough when I asked her to come back. I don’t fucking get it.”
“Are we s ure she’s back for good?” I asked.
He looked at me and then back to the road. “I did some digging around. Well, actually, I had Karen do some digging around to get information.”
“You made your secretary do your dirty work?”
“Hey! I pay her well. Besides, she is one of the biggest gossips I know. The woman knows everything that happens in this town. I’m surprised she didn’t know Corina was pregnant. Kudos to your future wife for keeping her business on the down low.”
I laughed. “Okay, well, what did Karen find out?”
“Doc Harris asked Harley to take over his practice a few months ago. I guess the few times she’s been in town she’s helped him out, and he was really impressed.”
“And she agreed? I mean, she hated Oak Springs. Couldn’t wait to get out of here.”