Straight ahead was a balcony that overlooked the garden. Making my way out I noticed Karen, the wedding consultant Michael had hired, making some last minute touches. She turned to me and spoke in French.
I had no clue what she rattled off. “It looks beautiful. Very beautiful.”
She smiled and gave me a pat on the arm before heading back into the room.
Looking out over the garden I took in a deep breath and slowly blew it out. “I’m getting married. Holy shit I’m getting married,” I mumbled.
A young girl was walking through the gardens that caught my eye. I didn’t pay too much attention to her until she turned and looked up. My heart stopped and my chest grew tight. Wrapping her coat tightly around her body, she stared up at me.
She looked exactly like … Kate.
I closed my eyes tightly and re-opened them. Lifting her hand, she waved. I mindlessly did the same as I tried to get a better look at her.
“Are you ready?” Renee asked as she stepped up next to me.
There was no way I could pull my eyes away from the girl. She stood there looking up at me while I tried to figure out how I could see her face … yet I couldn’t make it out.
“Ryder? Are you okay?” Waving her hand in front of me to drop my gaze, I turned to her.
“Yeah. Um … that girl down in the gardens. She looks so familiar to me.”
Renee turned and looked out over the gardens and frowned. “What girl?”
Snapping my head back forward, my heart dropped.
She was gone.
“She was right there,” I said pointing.
Renee shook her head. “Did you drink too much last night? There was no one standing there when I walked out here. Are you sure you saw someone?”
I continued to stare in the spot I saw the girl. Turning around, I fought to regain my composure.
“I’m fine. Must be nerves.”
With a bright smile, Renee nodded. “Must be. At any rate, Michael is upstairs fussing over Ava’s gown. I think we’ll be ready to start in the next few minutes. Do you need anything?”
“A drink. Something strong.”
She laced her arm in mine as we headed out of the room and made our way to the small bar in the hotel. Even though Renee w
as from Texas, she spoke perfect French … at least it sounded to me like she did. Speaking to the bartender, he looked at me and chuckled.
Before I knew it, two glasses of ice water were placed in front of us.
“If there is one thing I’ve learned in my life, the only thing to calm a person down is deep breaths and a nice chat.”
With a chuckle, I took the water and drank it. “That’s good advice; I’ll have to remember it.”
“Ryder, I’m glad I had a chance to speak with you in private. I wanted to take a moment to just tell you your sister was amazingly talented. I’ve only ever met one other person who had crazy talent like that and you happen to be marrying her.”
My heart slammed against my chest. The different emotions I felt were like a tornado in my body. I was happy … sad … scared … excited. All of it balled up into one.
“I’m a lucky guy, believe me I know.”
Renee looked at her phone and then over to me. “So, are you ready to get hitched? Ava’s about to come down.”
Swallowing hard, I finished off my ice water and stood. “Never been more ready.”