December 1990
“Oh, Cassie. You look so pretty,” I breathed as I walked into the room.
Cassie stared at her reflection in the floor length mirror. Her brown eyes were big and sparkling with life, and her face glowed with excitement. Dispensing with the traditional white gown and lavish wedding, she chose something simple. I was upset at first when she told me her decision. I wanted to go all out. After all, this was her big day. She was a vision in the delicate cream dress that fell to just above her ankles.
“Really?”
“Please, girl. Cody is gonna pass out cold when he sees you walking down the aisle if he hasn’t already. I peeked into his dressing room. You do realize you’re about to marry a green man, don’t you? Poor guy. He looks like he’s about to puke. Don’t worry, though. I told Nic to watch him and make sure he doesn’t bolt. We borrowed Willa Mae’s shotgun just in case.”
I placed the bouquet of flowers on the side table and helped her with her hair. I couldn’t believe she was getting married. It seemed like it was only yesterday that Nic and I had visited with Cassie and Cody over spring break. That’s when I’d first met Willa Mae, Cassie’s next-door neighbor. I connected with her instantly. She may have been like a bazillion years old, but she didn’t take crap from anyone. The woman totally rocked! She wasn’t afraid of anything. She even showed me the shotgun she had in her closet and whispered to me that she had used it plenty of times over the years. I had no doubt about that, but I was more afraid of the cane she used to get around. Seriously, that cane should’ve been considered a deadly weapon. She didn’t hesitate to whack me with it when I elbowed her out of the way so I could hold Cassie’s baby.
Yep, that’s right, as I had predicted, John Dale, affectionately called little J.D., popped out early just for me. So I had to hold him first after Cody and Cassie, of course.
Nic was elated when he was asked to be little J.D.’s godfather. For weeks, the man walked around doing a very bad Marlon Brando impression from The Godfather. Just when I thought he’d finally stopped, he started it up again the moment we arrived for Cassie and Cody’s wedding. Willa Mae promised to threaten him with the shotgun if he didn’t knock it off.
Humming, I worked my magic on Cassie’s hair. I had Nic. Cassie had Cody and their baby. Life couldn’t be more perfect.
“You’re happy,” Cassie said.
“You bet. My home fry is marrying the second most awesome guy I know, and Willa Mae promised to make me my own maid of honor cake.”
She laughed. “One cake isn’t enough for you?”
“Have you met me? I’ve been dreaming about having her bake a cake for me since the day you and Cody set the wedding date.”
“So does Cody really look nervous?”
“Just a little. Don’t worry. Nic will distract him. He brought his guitar and they’re jamming.”
Sighing, her face fell for a moment.
“What’s that look?” I asked.
“I can’t believe we made it.”
“Of course you and Cody made it. The man loves you like crazy.”
“I know he does. We’ve been through so much, and he’s still here and wants to marry me.”
I was quiet for a moment, thinking about all that Cassie and Cody had been through during the past year. I was so busy with college and my own drama with Nic that I hadn’t even known about the attack until spring break. Man, if I’d known, I would’ve dropped everything, hunted Seth and Dillon Baker down, and left them with one less ball—each.
Though she didn’t tell me what had happened to her for a long time, I still felt awful that I hadn’t been there for her when she needed me the most.
“I had no doubt you two would make it. And by the way, I’m still mad at you for keeping it a secret from me. Don’t ever do that again.” I waggled a finger at her.
She gave me a sad smile. “I won’t.”
“I still can’t believe Cody’s uncle is running against Sheriff Baker in the elections. Man, I hope his uncle wins. It’ll show those damn Bakers that they can’t run over everyone in this town.”
“Me too. Cody’s so proud of him.”
“I can’t believe Sheriff Baker thinks he can win having two sons in jail. Seriously, I hope Seth and Dillon rot in there. Maybe we’ll get lucky and someone named Biff will stake a claim on their sorry asses. Would serve them right.”
“Let’s not talk about them. They’re not worth a millisecond of our time,” she said. “What I really want to know is about you and Nic. You two seem much happier than when I saw you last spring.”
“We’re good.” I grinned. In fact, we were more than good. We were perfect. Ever since I’d told Nic our family’s secret, it was like a weight had been lifted. There were no more doubts and I had nothing but love for him, which I told him on a daily basis.
“So you told him?” Her eyes met mine in the mirror.
“Yeah.”
“And . . .”
“I’m an idiot.”
“Mandi, you are not an idiot. You were just making sure your family was safe. I get that. I’m sure he does too.”
“Yeah, he does. But I still think I’m a chicken shit for not telling him about my family in the first place. All that wasted time. I could’ve told him about it a long time ago.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. It just took you some time to see how much Nic loves you and would never hurt you.”
“Yeah, I see that now.” I smiled widely.
“You know a secret,” she said. “I see that twinkle in your eye.”
“Yes.”
Turning, she placed her hands on my shoulders and looked me straight in the eye. “Spill it.”
“I think Nic’s going to pop the question. Like really soon. Maybe even today.” I bounced on the balls of my feet. I was so excited.
“Oh my God! That would be so cool. When he does, you have to tell me everything.”
There was a knock on the door and Willa Mae poked her head in. Her face shined as she gazed at Cassie. “My, oh my, don’t you look pretty. Ain’t you just the picture of an angel.”
“Thank you, Willa Mae.”
“And you’re next.” Willa Mae’s wrinkled hand patted my arm.
“You think so?”
“I know it. I can feel it in my bones. It’s time to go now, chile. Cody’s waitin’ for you and your man,” she turned to me, “he’s waitin’ to see you too. Sure is a fine day to see youngins gettin’ married. A fine day. I’m ’fraid these ol’ eyes won’t be seein’ many more.”
“Now, Willa Mae, don’t you talk like that,” Cassie said as she headed to the door. “I’ve seen Abraham Johnson checking you out.”
“Good Lord, chile,” she hooted. “He ain’t checkin’ out nothin’ with that glaucoma of his.”
Leaving the room, we teased Willa Mae about her boyfriend. She snapped at us, claiming he was no such thing, which made us laugh even more. As we walked down the hall to the chapel, I looked out of the windows into the parking lot, searching for my dad’s minivan. It wasn’t there.
“What’s wrong?” Cassie asked.
I glanced down at my watch, my brow furrowed with worry. Dad was never late. The drive from San Marcos was only a couple of hours, and knowing Mom, she would’ve gotten my brothers and sister up at four in the morning to make sure they were here on time for the wedding. Cassie was family to them.
“Nothing.” I turned to her, placing a bright smile on my face. “Let’s get this show on the road.”