On a chilly autumn morning, as rain pattered down on the little church in downtown Hope, Nora stood in front of a full-length mirror willing her heartbeat to calm. The veil blurred her vision as she regarded her reflection. She wore a dress of clinging satin cream that spread into a rippling train behind her. The veil was simple, attached to a jeweled tiara that sat on her golden waves. She spread her hands over her fluttering stomach, the engagement ring glittering in the low light.
She was getting married this morning... She’d become Mrs. Nora Ross.
The door opened and Kaitlyn slipped inside the room. She wore an empire waist bridesmaid dress of mint green, and Nora was glad she’d chosen such a forgiving cut now that Kaitlyn’s belly had started to grow. After the nausea at the corn roast, Kaitlyn had disbelievingly taken another pregnancy test... She was five months along now and glowing with the new life she carried.
“Are the girls okay?” Nora asked.
“They’re all asleep,” Kaitlyn reassured her. “And the bottles are ready. They’ll be fine. Are you ready?”
“I think so.” Nora shot her friend a nervous smile.
“Easton told me to give you this—” Kaitlyn handed her a black velvet box, and Nora looked down at it in surprise.
“Was I supposed to buy him something?” she whispered.
“Oh, stop,” Kaitlyn laughed. “Just open it.”
Nora pried open the clamshell. Inside was a white gold charm bracelet. She lifted it out of the box, running her fingers over the delicate charms. There were three pink crystal pairs of booties, and on either side of them were two silver halves of a heart. A lump rose in her throat.
“It’s us...” she whispered.
At the clasp there was a tiny silver horseshoe—luck. But she didn’t need luck. Today they’d confirm their promises in front of friends and family, but these were words Easton had already murmured to her that morning.
I’m going to love you every day, Nora. I’m going to tell you the truth always. I’m going to stand by your side whatever comes at us. I’m yours.
Kaitlyn helped her to put the bracelet on, and as she looked down at the sparkle on her wrist, the old organ’s music swelled from the sanctuary where everyone was waiting. Easton was at the front of that church, and imagining him up there, all her nervous jitters melted away.
I’m going to love you every day, Easton. I’m going to tell you the truth always...
These weren’t hard promises to keep—they were simply putting into words what was already there. Today she was marrying her best friend.
“Okay,” Nora said, gathering up her train. “I’m ready.”