Southern Devotion (Southern Heart 4)

After getting Dixie settled with more toys than I know she’ll play with, a puppy pad, and a bowl of fresh water, I head out to pick up Jamie. When I pull up to their place, she’s sitting on the porch swing waiting for me.

“Hey, you,” she says, climbing into the passenger seat. “Can I just tell you I’m really excited about this?” She grins at me.

“Good. I kind of have a confession as well,” I admit as I pull back out on the road.

“Oh good, it’s not just me. Spill.” Her eyes are bright with contentment and love, and I couldn’t be happier for her and my big brother.

“So, Dave and I have been talking a lot about the future, weddings, and stuff.”

“That’s not a confession. That man has been asking you to marry him for I don’t even know how long.”

“Yeah, but that’s just it. I told him I was ready. After your engagement party, I told him to surprise me.”

“Eeep!” she cheers, leaning over to give me an awkward hug over the console. “I’m so happy for you,” she says.

“Yeah, so he wants me to start looking for a dress. We talked about wedding plans, and we want simple, and the dress will take the longest, so yeah, I’m kinda looking too.”

“You two should get married with us,” she says, excited.

“That’s your day, and besides, I’ve always wanted a country wedding. You know that field of wildflowers at Mom and Dad’s?” She nods. “That’s where we want to do it. Well I do, and Dave just agrees. He says he doesn’t care as long as the end result is me being his wife.” I can feel my smile just at repeating his words.

“Sounds like your brother. When I brought up getting married in the Keys, I was half joking, but he ran with it. So here we are, getting married in just two short weeks.”

“I’m not surprised. You guys have been through so much to be together. He’s a smart man, my brother.”

“He is.” She smiles. “So, do you know what kind of dress you’re looking for?”

“Something simple, yet elegant. It would have to fit an outdoor wedding. What about you?”

“Same, really. I was just going to find a white sundress. I wasn’t sure I’d have time, and then there are alterations….”

“True, but there is the off chance that you could find one that fits perfectly.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking something flowing for the beach. Just simple.”

I pull into the lot of the local dress shop. “This place has a ton to choose from. Maybe we’ll both be lucky.”

She holds up her hand, crossing her fingers. “Here’s to hoping.”

Grabbing my phone, I send a quick text to David.

Me: Hey, Jamie and I are dress shopping.

David: Good news, baby. I hope you find your dream dress.

Me: Not likely on day one.

David: I have a good feeling about it.

Surely it’s not going to be as easy as walking into the dress shop and the first one I see is my dream dress. Could it?

Me: We’ll see. Love you.

David: Love you too, Livy.

Jamie is waiting for me when I finally climb out of the car. “You ready for this?”

“I think so. Are you?”