See You Again (Wishful 8)

“My mother’s veil.”

“Something new?”

“I figured the whole dress counted.” Norah’s eyes went wide. “Does the dress not count?”

“The dress totally counts,” Sandy assured her. “I can see the something borrowed.”

She reached toward the pearls at her throat—Sandy’s pearls—and smiled. “Yes. Thank you.”

“And Cam has you covered for your something blue with the sapphires in your engagement ring.”

“He’s got me covered for everything.” She said it with an absolute faith that warmed Sandy’s heart.

Nodding, Sandy stepped back. “Then I’d say you’re ready.”

“Oh my God, so ready. Let’s do this.”

Sandy took her place just as her mother was being seated, her own nerves making her glad she’d remembered waterproof mascara. As the music shifted, Mitch offered his arm, escorting her to her proper place on the front row. It was really happening. Thanks to all the hard work of her town, her boy was finally getting to marry the love of his life. Sandy dug for the tissue she’d stuffed up the sleeve of her suit and cast one more look around for Waylan. Seeing no sign of him, she began to relax a fraction. Maybe this would go off without problem after all.

Then she saw Trey. He wasn’t seated on the bride’s side. But he stood just to the side of the far aisle, at the front of the onlookers. And his gaze was fixed on her.

He came. The flood of relief was staggering, and on its heels came a yearning to touch him that was so strong, she nearly rose from her seat. She’d been on her own for such a long time—raising her son, running her town—she was good at it. It had never occurred to her that she’d want him by her side today, that she’d feel this need to share this special day with him. Only the next change in music, heralding the procession of attendants, kept her in place.

They marched in, two-by-two. Mitch and Miranda. Tyler and Brody. Tucker and Piper. Then came the very unconventional ring bearer. Cam’s dog, Hush, pranced—without an escort—down the aisle with more pomp and attitude than should’ve been possible for a hundred-pound ball of white fluff. The Great Pyrenees-Malamute mix carried a specially-made pillow mounted to her collar. Miraculously, she made it all the way to Cam without stopping to greet all and sundry. As the dog plopped her butt down beside Cam and sat at attention, Sandy let out a breath. As long as there were no squirrels, they’d be safe.

The bridal march began. Those seated stood, and everyone turned to watch as Norah walked down the aisle. From her position up front, Sandy couldn’t see her, so she watched Cam instead. The absolute joy on his face warmed her down to the bone. Had she looked like that when she married Waylan? She’d thought herself in love, been happy and excited. But that kind of effervescence in the blood…she didn’t remember that.

Had sh

e had it when she married Trey?

Instinct had her searching for his face, wanting to connect and share this moment with him. Her eyes met his and everything melted away but him. The generous, loving man who wanted to have her back. Could she let her guard down and trust him enough to do that?

Norah passed to the front of the crowd, pulling Sandy’s attention back to the ceremony. She was radiant as she glided up to the fountain and placed her hand in Cam’s.

“Dearly beloved and citizens of Wishful—” The assembled crowd chuckled. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Norah and Campbell.”

Sandy cried. Quietly and with as much dignity as she could muster. But her baby was getting married. She figured she was allowed.

“They’d like to say a few words to each other.” Reverend Prescott held out a hand to indicate they could begin.

Norah turned to hand off her bouquet to Miranda, and Cam took her hands, raising them to his lips to gently kiss her knuckles.

“I know you’ve memorized yours, but I hope you don’t mind that I jotted down a few bullet points.” Reaching into his breast pocket, he pulled out an index card. “Norah Burke, the moment I laid eyes on you, the first thought that went through my mind was, ‘Wow!’ I don’t think I’ve ever told you that. Not a day has passed that you haven’t made me think ‘Wow!’ You do so much and care so much about me, about our families, about this town—it’s amazing. You are amazing.”

He glanced down at the card and tossed it so he could cup her cheek. “Wishful sees General Burke or Wonder Woman or whatever remarkable persona you’re wearing that day and thinks, ‘That woman never stops. She’s always doing her duty to everyone.’ But they, and even you, don’t know that duty isn’t what drives you. It’s love. You have so much love inside you that you have to have a place to put it, and I thank God every night you chose me and this town. You made me a promise that you’d save my world. I had no idea you’d actually become my world in the process. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known. You’re stubborn, dedicated, and you don’t give up—ever. I can’t imagine better qualities in the woman I want by my side for the rest of my life.”

Cam grinned, his dimples flashing. “I think I missed a couple of bullet points. I hope that’s okay.”

Tears streamed down Norah’s cheeks. “It’s totally okay. Just be glad I had waterproof mascara on one of my lists. Cam,” she began, swiping at her cheeks and squaring her shoulders. “I used to be a dedicated workaholic.” Cam arched a brow and Norah laughed. “Okay I’m still a dedicated workaholic. I didn’t think I was made for love. I had a purpose to do great things in the world, and I couldn’t imagine a man I’d be willing to change my whole life for, a man I’d be willing to give that up for. Then I met you.

“When I came here, my career was in shreds. I was reeling and looking for a safe place to lick my wounds. I may have saved your world, Campbell, but you saved me. You gave me the steady, unwavering support I needed to figure out who I was without all the things I’d used to define myself. You saw past the job, past the accomplishments. You saw me. You gave me new purpose, and you helped me realize that I didn’t have to give anything up. Because you were the man I didn’t have to change to be with. You taught me that I could write my own rules for the life I wanted—that I could not only accomplish those great things on my own terms, but I could find more joy and fulfillment than I could possibly imagine, doing them with you by my side. A partner in the truest sense of the word. And I want to spend the rest of our lives adding chapters to that new story, starting with becoming your wife.”

Sandy watched her son swallow hard, a manful effort to hold himself together. All around her, Campbell women and others threatened to drown out the rest of the ceremony with their weeping.

They exchanged rings and took their vows—to love, honor, and cherish. And when Reverend Prescott pronounced them man and wife, the entire town cheered.

Cam didn’t wait for permission. Grinning, he swept Norah into his arms and back into a dip as he took her mouth.