Chapter 39
Anna twisted to look in the mirror and surveyed what the hair and makeup wizards had accomplished. The duo had been recommended by Chase — they worked on one of the series he produced. Cassie stood behind her, fastening the last of the hooks on Anna’s wedding dress, then she stepped aside and fluffed out the small flare of train. It was fitting that only Cassie and she were there for the final steps, except for the photographer capturing the moments. Every perfect beautiful moment Anna would try to remember always, just like the words in the letter Chase had slipped under her door early that day. She’d wept as she read it.
“You’re all done, my sister,” Cassie said. “And may I say, you’re a complete vision. This color on you is surreal and the rest… I can’t even find the words. You’re just so beautiful.”
Anna felt beautiful. Cassie’s idea for her hair had turned out to be perfect. Small native flowers were woven into the wavy texture, which was similar to Anna’s natural everyday look but bumped up a few notches. Her dress fit like a dream, and the woven copper jewelry glistening at her wrists and neck matched the shoes that graced her feet. The ones that would carry her down the aisle to the man she loved.
And Cassie was another vision. Anna gave herself an imaginary pat on the back. The white was an absolute showstopper, especially with the way the island sun had turned Cassie’s natural creamy skin into the faintest of golden tans enhanced by the radiant glow of completeness Brody had brought back to her. Cassie hadn’t needed makeup to cover up any fatigue after all. Love, it turned out, created its own special blend of magic, light, and most especially, healing.
The makeup team had swept Cassie’s red hair to the side so it could tumble over her shoulder in soft curls, making her hazel eyes even more huge and mysterious. Copper wrist bangles jingled in a musical feast of sound every time she moved, and a pendant of amber calcite dangled on a slim copper chain.
Cassie picked up the bride’s bouquet and brought it back to Anna. “Now the bride is ready.”
“She’s more than ready. How about you?”
“I am.” Cassie hesitated and took Anna’s hand. “Thank you.”
“For what? I should be thanking you for all you’ve done.”
“For giving Brody and me a chance to find each other again. I never did thank you for that. I was so mad at you and Chase for picking this place to get married. But if you hadn’t, the two of us would have never had a chance to be together again.”
“I don’t believe that. Not for a minute. You two were always meant to be,” Anna argued sincerely. “To think we met them both at the same time. A chance twist of fate.”
“It was. The best twist of all.” Cassie carefully held her close. “Thank you, most of all, for helping me heal when I couldn’t find a way. I would still be lost without you and Nathan. Brody and I would still be lost. You both helped me to start the path back.”
Anna held her tightly right back in the kind of embrace that only comes from long years of friendship and sisterhood. Who cared if they weren’t related by blood? When you had a sister of the heart, that was as real as it got. The photographer captured the moment for all time.
“You’re so very welcome.” Moisture welled up in Anna’s eyes, threatening to ruin her perfect makeup. “Now stop. You’re going to make me cry, and I’ll be crying soon enough during my vows.”
“I’m gonna ask Cassie to marry me,” Brody said, buttoning up the vest before he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.
Chase stopped finger combing and checking his hair in the mirror. One eyebrow lifted in surprise at the statement.“You’re doing what, man?”
“Cassie.” Brody tossed him a nod and a grin. “I’m gonna marry her. Soon as she says yes, that is.”
“Seriously? That’s awesome. When you going to ask her?”
“Haven’t decided yet. I’ll know when it’s right. You gonna stand beside me for the big day? You’re the only man I can think of for the job,” Brody asked.
“You don’t even have to ask. Good to see you back and in charge again. You’re happy. That’s all that was needed.”
“I am. Cassie makes it all worthwhile. She’s at the heart of it.”
“Just like Anna is for me. Thanks for being here. Goes ditto, you know. No one else I can imagine being here while I take the biggest step of my life.” Chase pulled him into a one-armed hug. “Let’s get up to the house. I’m ready to go get my bride.”
Brody followed Chase out to the car. When the hell was he going to ask Cassie? Now that that question had been asked, it was stuck in his head. The ring was already set — he’d found one for Cassie before everything had fallen apart for them. It had traveled everywhere he had, stashed in a secret pocket of his carry-on. Brody had never been able to part with it, for whatever reason, and every time he’d pulled it out to get rid of it, Cassie’s face would come back to him, along with all the memories of her — good and bad.
The only part he did know was that he wanted to propose soon, and he wanted it to be perfect. If he didn’t do it in the few days left before he returned to Iceland, asking Cassie would have to wait until the retakes were done.
The thought of waiting a month to ask seemed way too damn long.