“Have the flowers been delivered?” Melissa asked.

“Yes, honey. They’re all in the big refrigerator in the kitchen to stay fresh. Myra said she’d come back near time to get them to you, and the bakery from Savannah called about twenty minutes ago from the road so they’ll be showing up here soon.”

“All of a sudden I’m nervous,” Melissa said.

“Don’t be. We’ve got this for you. One of the girls will be at a table at the door with your guest book. We have two ladies who will be serving punch. The bakery said they’re staying to cut and serve the cake, that it’s part of their service. All you have to do is calm down, get dressed, and go get married.”

Melissa sighed. “I’ve already said ‘I do’ a thousand times in my heart, but today will make it official.”

While the women were helping her, Sully and Marc had been taken to a room at the end of the adjoining wing.

Marc knew Sully was wearing a black suit and tie with a white shirt, so he’d brought a gray suit and tie to go with his white shirt, and now they were mostly pacing the room, waiting.

“Thank you again for being my best man,” Sully said.

“Are you nervous, Son?”

“Not a bit. Why should I question the fate that threw us all together like this?”

They sat, waiting in companionable silence until the pastor came into the room and hurried them down to the place where they would enter the nave. Myra Franklin had arrived and was waiting to pin a small boutonniere on each of their suit coats.

“You both look very handsome,” Myra said, and hurried away.

Sully could hear people filing into the church and down the aisles, talking quietly as they took their seats.

* * *

Melissa was still in her dressing room when Lovey came in. She’d made one last run to the Unique Boutique and, in honor of her son’s wedding, had broken down and bought a dress—a pale-blue chiffon with a scoop neck, long sleeves, and a slightly flared skirt. Her necklace was her only jewelry, and the heels she was wearing were pearl gray and comfortable. She felt good, even pretty, and then she saw Melissa and stopped.

“Oh, honey. You are stunning. Your hair. Your dress. That sweetheart neckline is beautiful, and the slight flare in the skirt is perfect. I love that there’s not a trace of lace anywhere on you except for your veil. I love it. Turn around. I want to see the back.”

Lovey nodded her approval at a bit of bare expanse, and then the door opened and Myra was standing in the door.

“It’s time, ladies,” she said, and handed a bouquet to Lovey as she walked out, then gave the bridal bouquet to Melissa, who followed behind.

Melissa clutched the flowers in front of her, barely glancing at the white calla lilies with their stems bound tightly in green ribbon, as they walked all the way to the vestibule, bringing her closer and closer to Sully.