Chapter Three

 

Addy

Last night was pure torture. Not that I haven’t spent nights away from Beau before. I have, plenty of times, but he’s never been so adamant about punishing in the most delicious ways for it. My body still aches with the need he evoked with his sexy texts and his video messages. The man is as dirty as they come and in just a couple hours, he’ll be mine. Forever and ever, Amen. Just the thought has me tingling from the inside out. With a little squeal, I throw the covers back and hop out of bed. The girls and I stayed at Willow’s house in Austin. ‘House’ is putting it mildly. It was a mansion; we stayed at her mansion.

I can’t help but laugh at myself, as I make my way over to the floor-length mirror in the corner and skim my fingers gently over the white lace of my wedding dress. It was handmade, simple, and elegant. I adored it. Beau had told me that there was nothing too expensive, and that I was to plan the wedding of my dreams; money wasn’t an option. And I had. But the wedding of my dreams wasn’t some glitzy glamorous affair. It was a ceremony in my daddy’s church and a down-home reception in the McCrae’s big ol’ barn, with all of our friends and family. Mason jars, cowboy boots, and hayrides. That was my vision. Just a simple girl marrying a simple man. Well, a simple man who also happened to be a country music super star and the “Most Beautiful Man Alive,” according to Exposé magazine last month.

A soft knock on the door draws my attention. “Come in,” I call out. With one last lingering look at the dress, I turn to see who is entering the room. Willow, Scarlet, and my mama walk in, a breakfast tray laden with food between them.

“Good mornin’, baby girl,” my mama says, a beautiful smile splitting her lips. Even this early, she looks put together. Her gray hair pulled back in a loose bun, and an apron she must have brought with her because God knows Willow didn’t have one here, covering her sky-blue tracksuit. Very stylish for Emma Rae Masterson. Must be all those Florida folks she’s been hanging around with while taking care of my memaw.

“Mornin’ ya’ll,” I say, taking the coffee cup Willow hands me.

“You nervous?” she asks.

“Not like I thought I would be,” I admit. “I’m more nervous of the preparation and the waiting than the actual marrying.” We laugh at that.

“Well, nothing to be nervous about there. The team I have doing your hair and makeup will be here in about an hour. Just enough time for you to eat and take a shower,” Scarlet tells me. “And maybe another video chat with Beau.” She grins slyly when my face flames.

Oh my God, how much did she hear?

“Oh, that’ll be nice,” my mama says, oblivious.

“Yes. It. Will,” Scar teases. I might kill her. She’s lucky I love her.

Turning to Willow, I change the subject. “The guys know what time to be there?” I haven’t been worried about any of the details until this minute.

It’s finally happening. I’m getting married. Today.

“Yes. I just woke them all up. They’re getting ready to leave in a few minutes, to meet Beau and Sealy for breakfast and fishing.” The last bit is said in a questioning lilt that makes me laugh.

“Stone is going to fish?” I ask, not believing that for a minute.

“That’s the word on the street.” The four of us giggle at the thought. “Oh! Before I forget, Sealy dropped this off early this morning. Like, really early, on his way to do some ranch business, whatever that means.” Wills pull out an envelope with a little box and hands it to me. Right away, I recognize Beau’s chicken scratch.

“Isn’t that so sweet?” Mama says, as she sets my tray down on the desk in the corner. “You go ahead and eat, and get a shower; take a moment to reflect.” My mama was always telling me to reflect on all of the good I’ve been blessed with. This is definitely one of those moments. “We’ll come back once the stylist gets here to help.” She busses my cheek with a kiss, smoothing my hair back from my face, and then ushers the girls out of the room with her.

Thankful for the privacy, I carefully tear open the envelope.

Addy Mae Masterson,

Well, today is the day. Our wedding day, and the very last time I’ll be able to call you by that name. In a couple hours, you’ll be Addy Mae McCrae. My wife. President of the Beau hos. (I’ll pay for that later, but it was worth it.) Before all of that happens, I just wanted to tell you how much I love you. You’ve done what nobody thought was possible, especially me. You made a good man out of the bad boy of country music. Now let me take you to church, so I can show you how grateful I am. I’m gonna marry the hell out of you.

Love you, Sugar.

Xoxo

Beau

With tears filling my eyes, I read the letter once more before folding it up and pressing it to my chest. I open the box to see a dainty gold chain, and on it, a bejeweled watermelon slice dangling from my fingers, when I lift it out of the velvet. A laugh bubbles past my lips. Only Beau. He had a way about him and I wouldn’t trade him for the world. How I ever got so lucky, I’ll never know. He always says that I saved him, but the truth is, I think he saved me. Maybe we even saved each other.

More anxious than ever to get this show on the road, I jump up and dash to the bathroom, cranking on the shower. My smile never slips from my face the whole time I’m in there, washing and shaving and washing again, wanting every inch of me to be soft and smooth and sweet-smelling for Beau.

Glad that I decided to wait to give him his wedding present until we were together, I clasp the gift around my neck, thinking about the look on his face when he sees me walking down the aisle wearing it. One thing for sure; it’ll keep his mind on the wedding night.

* * *

In the Vestibule of the church I was raised in, I stand. A sense of calm settling over me as my mama, in a stunning lavender dress, fusses with my veil, and Willow, in her rose gold Maid of Honor dress, adjusts my simple train for the umpteenth time.

“If ya’ll don’t quit, I swear.” My words fall off in a laugh.

Scarlet smiles, handing me my bouquet of wild flowers. “You look gorgeous. Beau isn’t going to know what hit him when he sees you,” she says.

“Thank you all for being here. Not just today, but always,” I tell them, tears threatening to spill over.

“Oh no, you don’t. You ruin your makeup, and I’ll hurt you,” Scar threatens, making us all laugh.

“You ready?” Mama asks, as the organist starts playing “Amazing Grace,” signaling it was time.

“Never been more ready in my life.”

Since my daddy is marrying us, I asked my mama to walk me down the aisle. Arms linked, she and I stand in the open doorway and walk slowly toward the first man I’ve ever loved, and the last man I’ll ever love standing beside him, tears in both of their eyes.