Southern Devotion (Southern Heart 4)

“I’ll be over here with Mary,” Jamie says, heading toward the pedicure chair.

“Yeah, I want to leave it down, add some curls. Simple yet elegant.”

“You’re making my job easy. We’ll have you done in no time.”

“Good, because we moved up the time,” I tell her.

“You did what?” Wide-eyed, she laughs.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to wait and thought the photos would be better for early evening. Dave made it happen.”

“Of course he did. That man would do anything for you.”

Alice took my simple instructions of down and some curls to another level. My hair never looks like this when I curl it on my own. My makeup is subtle and flawless, and we opt to keep my nails bare, just a clear topcoat, same with my toes. This was all accomplished in two hours.

“I can’t wait to see the pictures,” Alice says, giving me a hug. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Jamie and I wave and head out the door. Apparently, my mother already paid for both of our services. Everyone I love rallied around me and made this day perfect.

“We have an hour to get you into your dress,” Jamie says as she pushes the speed limit outside of town, headed back to my parents’ place.

“It’s fine. He’s not going anywhere. We need to get there in one piece.”

“I was only going five over.” She laughs.

“Yeah, but you’re carrying precious cargo. Besides, I don’t need my brother barking about how I let you speed to get me there on time. All I have to do is add my veil and get dressed. We’re ten minutes away. We’ve got this.”

“Wow, calm, cool, and collected.”

“Just taking a page out of your book, sister dear.”

When we get back to my parents,’ Mom is waiting for us on the front porch.

“Hurry and get on in here. We can’t risk David seeing you.”

“Is he here?” I ask, looking around.

“No, but he will be. Get your rear in here.” She places her hand on my shoulder and ushers me in the door. “Your hair is gorgeous.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Now, upstairs. We need to get you ready.”

Without complaint, I make my way up to my old room, where sure enough, my dress and veil are laid out across the bed. Whitney and McKinley are in there taking photographs of it.

“Great, you’re here. Give me your engagement ring.” She holds out her hand, and I hesitate. “I’ll give it right back,” she tells me.

Reluctantly, I slide the ring off my finger and hand it over. She places it, as well as a diamond band and a larger silver band, on top of my dress and snaps a few pictures. Whitney is doing the same, except her angle is farther away as she stands by the door. I don’t question them; I know they work magic with their images. I’m honored that my two best friends are here and documenting this special day for me.

Mom and Jamie help me slide into my dress while McKinley and Whitney take more photographs. Jamie secures my veil, and when I turn to face them, the four of them have tears in their eyes.

“Hey, none of that,” I scold them. “I am not messing up Alice’s masterpiece.”

“Honey, you’re beautiful,” Mom says while my three best friends murmur their agreement.

“Now”—Jamie wipes at her eyes—“that man of yours has some things for you. She hands me a box. Slowly, I open the lid to find a stunning jeweled bracelet inside with a note.

“And this,” McKinley says, handing me another small box.