Divided Interests (Southern Bride 3)

I placed my hand on the side of his face, then gave it a few light slaps. “You better hope we don’t have ten little girls, Lucas, because you have no idea what it takes for women to get married.”

He groaned, then kissed me on the tip of my nose. A small box in the corner of the attic moved and fell to the floor. Lucas and I both looked at the box, then back to one another. A moment later, we were pushing each other out of the way to get the hell out of the attic.

“Something has to be done about the freaking ghost!” Lucas called as he nearly fell down the steps.

Once we were out, the door locked and both of us breathed like we had run a marathon. I let out a long breath. “Married first. Honeymoon second. Ghost third.”

Lucas nodded. “Maybe Oreo can talk her into leaving.”

“You look beautiful,” Lynn said.

“Lucas is going to shit his pants. Sorry, Mrs. Foster.”

Lynn chuckled. “It’s true, he will. If he doesn’t go weak in the knees first. I’m glad the veil isn’t over your face. You’re too beautiful to cover it.”

I felt my cheeks blush. “My heart feels like it is going to beat right out of my chest.”

“I felt the same way,” Jen said. “Except I also felt sick to my stomach. And for a good fifteen minutes, my mother had to talk me into not running from the church.”

Lynn and I looked at Jen with shocked expressions. “You didn’t want to marry Gene?”

“I did. But in a few brief moments of hysteria, I didn’t.”

Turning back to the mirror, I drew in a slow, steady breath. “I have no doubt in my mind I’m ready to marry Lucas. I’m afraid the moment I see him I’ll try to bolt out of my father’s arms to get to him.”

Jen and Lynn both let out soft chuckles. Lynn took a step closer to me. “I have been trying to decide when is the best time to do this, and there doesn’t seem to be any time that probably won’t make us both cry our makeup off.”

My hands reached for hers. “What is it?” I could hear the concern in my voice.

“Everything it okay. I didn’t mean to scare you. Oh sweet, sweet Paige. The day your momma passed away, she called for me that morning.”

“I remember,” I said softly.

“We spoke and she…” Lynn let out a tender laugh as she recalled the memory. “She told me that she knew someday you and Lucas would marry. I told her I hoped like hell she was right.”

My hand came up to my mouth as a laugh and sob slipped free.

“Your momma was always right. Here is another example. You’re about to marry Lucas.”

I wiped a tear.

Lynn pulled out a box that was in her purse. She handed it to me. “Your mother told me that when you got married, I was to give you this.”

I gathered up my dress and walked over to the bench in the room where I was getting ready. It was one of the upstairs rooms. The whole upstairs had been turned upside down to get me ready. The wedding prep was the most fun I’d ever had. I had been treated like a princess. Manicure, pedicure, a facial, massage—that one was from Lucas—and endless primping and laughing.

With a deep breath to calm myself, I untied the ribbon on the box and slid the lid off. I was greeted with the smell of my mother’s favorite perfume and pink tissue paper. Carefully opening the tissue, I smiled at the sight.

“Her handkerchief,” I whispered. “I used to play with it when I was little. She told me it was a wedding gift from her mother.”

I ran my fingers over the embroidered initials. My heart pained at the thought of my mother not here. I had been trying all day not to think about it, but at times, the sadness had been so overwhelming that I knew I could burst into tears any moment. But this, this gift made me feel like she was here with me.

“It’s beautiful,” Jen said, her hand on my shoulder. “You should wrap it around your bouquet.”

I quickly stood. “The brooch. We can pin it to the handkerchief.”

Lynn smiled brightly. “That’s an amazing idea, Paige.”

Jen walked over and got the bouquet. “It’s almost time to go down, so let’s let the stems dry a bit before we wrap it. Let’s touch up your makeup, give you hair one more spray, then you’ll be ready to go.”

I nodded.

As I stood in the mirror, I let my eyes wander down my dress. The white satin mermaid gown hugged my body in the most delicious way. I loved that it showed off my curves and knew Lucas would appreciate it even more. The delicate crystal belt added the perfect touch. The halter top was satin and gave way to lace and a stunning pattern of crystals, beads, and sequins that made an intricate, yet delicate, open pattern down my back. Most of my back was exposed, making the dress feel sophisticated and sexy.