Page 75 of A Texas Christmas Reunion
“Harlan, that’s not even a week away. We need more time.”
“Why? Do you want a big wedding?”
“No. It’s a second wedding for each of us. Small is fine. But we have to find a place to have it, first of all. And second, or maybe first, I need a dress.”
“Let’s have it at the Harwood Inn.”
“Oh, I love that idea. I’ll call tomorrow and see what they have available.”
“Problem solved.”
“Problem solved?” She patted his cheek. “You’re such a guy.”
“Guilty. And this guy has a great idea of how we need to celebrate our engagement.”
“I wonder what that would be?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Harlan picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. “I bet you can guess.”
She smiled and kissed him before they fell on the bed.
“Ican’t believe I’mgetting married today,” Savannah said. “I was afraid the Harwood Inn wouldn’t have an opening for months.”
“Yes, funny how this weekend two weeks after New Year’s suddenly became available,” Rachel said.
“Like it was meant to be,” Avery said. “You’d better hurry. You’re supposed to walk down the aisle in twenty minutes.”
“And marry the hunk of burning love,” Rachel added.
“Stand still, Savannah,” Avery said firmly. “Let me put some more pins in your hair. It’s going to come down if you don’t stop squirming.”
“I need to see,” she said, craning her neck to see around her friends.
“You look beautiful,” Rachel said, but she and Avery moved away from the mirror.
Savannah had been afraid she wouldn’t find a dress she liked so close to the wedding date, but she’d lucked into one she loved. A short white dress with a flowing chiffon skirt just hitting her knees and a fitted satin and tulle V-neck bodice, the sheer three-quarter length lace sleeves baring her arms and shoulders. It was the perfect dress for her.
Savannah met her father at the door to the ballroom. “I’m glad you’re here,” she told him. She still hadn’t quite trusted that her father had changed but he’d been making a real effort to get along with Harlan.
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” he said, kissing her cheek. “You look beautiful, Savannah. So much like your mother.”
The music began and she walked in on her father’s arm. Harlan turned and their eyes met. She would never have believed that the man who had so thoroughly shattered her heart could have healed it so completely. He smiled as she reached him and in that smile she saw all the warmth and intimacy she would treasure for the rest of her life.
The End
