See You Again (Wishful 8)

“Not really.” Cam slid his hands down to link with both of hers. “Do you know what I’ve learned loving a strong woman?”

Seriously? Her generally quiet son was going to pontificate about love? “What’s that?”

“That sometimes I have to step aside and let her do her thing.”

Yes. That was exactly what she wanted. Was it so hard to understand?

“But, you know what she’s had to learn in return?”

“What?”

“That sometimes I have to step in to protect and defend. Partnership doesn’t mean she’s weak or incapable. It just means I’ve got her back. It’s been too damned long since somebody had your back, Mom. Whatever stubborn principles you’re holding on to…they aren’t worth walking away from that.”

Well. Sandy had no idea how to respond. So, she said nothing, just nodded and swallowed back the knot of tears in her throat as Cam wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

“Looks like it’s time,” he said.

They headed down the stairs of City Hall arm-in-arm and crossed the town green toward the fountain. Music played over a PA system, the cheerful strings echoing faintly off the downtown buildings. Guests filled nearly every seat but the front row of chairs, and more were gathered behind and around the seating area. Sandy scanned each face, smiling and nodding to those she knew, but remaining on alert for the one face she didn’t want to see. With a quick kiss on her cheek, Cam dropped her off with the gathering of the rest of the family at the back of the crowd and headed for the fountain, where Reverend Prescott waited.

A disturbance drew her attention to the reception tent. With a sinking sensation, Sandy hurried in that direction. Had Waylan tried hiding in there?

But it wasn’t her ex-husband she found. It was Norah, arguing with her bridesmaids.

Miranda stood, hands on hips. “Hold her down, Tyler.”

“Don’t you even.” Norah brandished her bouquet like a weapon.

“Then hand it over,” Miranda insisted.

Sandy let the tent flap fall and rushed forward. “What’s going on?”

“Norah won’t give up her headset,” Piper said.

Ever the control freak, Norah backed away from her friends, one hand protectively over her ear. “I just want to—”

“Norah, I love you, but you’re not walking down the aisle with the headset. Hand it over.” Miranda held her hand out, palm up.

“But—”

“Let it go, sugar,” Tyler ordered.

Looking a bit mulish, Norah pulled out her earpiece and dropped it into Miranda’s hand.

“Good girl.”

With an indulgent smile, Sandy took her hands. “I promise everything is taken care of. Molly has it under control.”

“I know, I just—”

“You just need to take a deep breath. You’re getting married in a few minutes.”

Norah’s hands trembled. “I keep expecting something else to go wrong.”

“There’s nothing left to go wrong. The whole town has made sure of it.” And if Waylan showed up and made an ass of himself, she’d just have to finally give in and kill him. Nothing was going to ruin their day. “All you have to do is walk down that aisle. Cam’s waiting right there by the fountain.”

Norah blew out a breath. “Okay.”

Voice brisk, Sandy went down the checklist. “You’ve got your something old.”