Chance Encounters

“Not since that day.”

“How long has it been?” Bailey tested.

“Almost twelve weeks.”

“Still counting, eh? Well, that’s healthy.”

“Shut up.” Caroline laughed.

“How are you holding up?” Bailey asked with an edge of seriousness.

“It’s hard,” Caroline admitted honestly, “Shouldn’t I be freaking over him by now?”

“Maybe you’ll never truly be over him…”

“Well, that sucks. Aren’t you supposed to make me feel better? This IS my engagement party you know.”

“Well, maybe you’re engaged to the wrong guy.”

Caroline whipped her head to glare at Bailey. “Ow!”

“Don’t move! You can’t whip your head around like that when I have your hair all tangled up.”

“Bailey!” Caroline chastised.

“I’m kidding. Gosh, calm down,” Bailey seemed nonchalant while she continued to fuss with Caroline’s hair. “There. Perfect.” She admired the reflection in the mirror.

“Oh, that does look nice.” Caroline’s usually slick straight hair had been transformed into varying lengths of thick, wavy curls. The sides were pulled back loosely with jeweled clips that sparkled. “Thank you.”

Bailey helped her slip into her black party dress, making sure not to mess up her hair. Caroline dug around in her overly stuffed bag and pulled out a pair of silver heels still wrapped in plastic.

“Nice shoes,” Bailey commented.

“I knew you’d like them.”

They heard the doorbell ring and the sound of Clay’s familiar voice, followed closely by the sound of his parents, echoed down the hall. “Show time,” Caroline said and took Bailey by the arm.

Clay’s jaw dropped when he saw Caroline walking toward him. “Wow, baby, you look gorgeous!”

She feigned a smile and leaned in to give him a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself,” she said, admiring the charcoal gray dress pants that accompanied a surf brand button-down black shirt.

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews. It’s great to see you.” She hugged both of his parents who beamed with approval.

“It’s great to see you, Caroline. You look beautiful.” The overly animated tone made the butterflies in Caroline’s stomach come alive. Her knees started to weaken as nerves took over her previously calm body.

“Jan, is that you I hear?” Caroline’s mom yelled from the kitchen.

“Yes it is, mother of the bride!” And with that, Clay’s mom rushed through the kitchen door.

****

Lily galloped toward the farm and Jackson’s father noticed immediately that his son was absent from the horse’s back. He bolted out the front door and toward the horse that had finally slowed down to a nervous trot. “Lily…come here, Lil.” He noticed the mud-covered reins dragging on the ground and his heart sank. He looked into the distance for his son, but there was no sign of him.

“Where’s Jackson?” A slender woman shouted from the front porch toward her husband.

“I don’t know. Something’s not right, hon. Lily came back without him.” H

is brown eyes narrowed with worry. “You stay here, I’ll go find him.”