A knock sounded on the door. “Sorry, I think this belongs to us.” Trace walked in, grabbing Marky’s sleeve.
He pulled away from Trace. “I don’t belong to anyone. Isn’t that right, Misty?”
I couldn’t help but notice the harshness of his tone as he glared at the bride.
“Should we leave?” I muttered to Trace. It really seemed like Misty and Marky needed a minute to settle whatever dispute they were having.
“I don’t think that would be wise,” Trace whispered in my ear.
“I think you should follow my brother and leave.” Misty put her hand on Marky’s chest, and then it all clicked.They’re in love.
Trace was right—it was better to figure it all out on my own.
I raised an eyebrow at Trace and he nodded, knowing what wheels were turning in my brain.
“Come on, buddy, let’s get your bowtie on.” Trace hooked his arm under his friend’s, glancing over to me. “See you in a bit.”
Marky bowed his head without another word and defeatedly followed Trace out the door.
It was so hard to concentrate on the doting mother and blushing bride when all I could do was speculate about what was going on with Marky. Then it was the moment I had been waiting for: Misty started to put on her dress. And, just as Trace had predicted, the thing wouldn’t zip.
All five of the bridesmaids gave it a try as many ways as they could, but the zipper wouldn’t budge past the middle of her back.
“What in the hell?” Misty was completely in panic mode.
I dove right in to help. This wasn’t my first rodeo.
“Misty, breathe.” I grabbed her arm. “I can fix this, I think.”
I pulled out my phone and called Trace. “I need you to find extremely sharp scissors. Fast!” I barked as soon as he picked up.
“On it.” He hung up.
I pulled out a small sewing kit I kept in my camera bag for emergencies. “When you do as many weddings as I do, you learn to plan for everything. Do you trust me?”
“Just fix it!” she wailed in my face as her head landed on my shoulder.
I passed her off to the maid of honor before threading a needle with clear fishing line. Next I pointed to the closest bridesmaid. “Hold the zipper in place. I am going to sew it so it doesn’t fall down.”
I made quick work of it and as I finished, Trace was walking in with scissors for me.
I gestured to my bag while taking them from his hand. “There’s double-sided tape in there—get me a couple of pieces,” I instructed, and Trace rummaged around while I bent down at Misty’s feet. “I am going to cut a piece of the lining out of the back of your dress and put it in place where the zipper isn’t reaching. If you wear your hair down, no one will be able to tell.”
“Bless you,” she muttered.
While I continued to save the dress, the hair dresser redid Misty’s long locks, adding in a couple of extensions to really hide the mishap.
“How am I ever going to thank you?” she blubbered.
“Just be calm and enjoy the rest of the day,” I answered with a reassuring pat on her shoulder.
Trace put his hand on my back. “Annie is here with the horses.”
“Perfect timing. Are your ready for your first look on horseback?” I glanced to Misty, who was turning every shade of green.
Swallowing hard, she nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”
Trace and I followed her out to the grassy field next to the church where Rayford was waiting with Annabelle. The look on his face turned me into a pile of mush as he ran toward his bride. First looks were my favorite.