Emily didn't think she felt like talking to anyone the next morning but when her sister called she picked up. If anyone could bring her out of a funk it was Cheyenne.

"Hey, Sister Chicken," Cheyenne sing-songed.

Emily laughed. "Hey, Trouble. What are you up to?"

"I'm looking at the samples of dresses that Daddy sent us. Did you look at them?"

Emily cursed under her breath. "No, I didn't. I saw the email but I haven't had a chance to open it yet. I've been swamped at work."

"Don't work too hard. You have a wedding to get to in two months, or there about."

"I know," Emily sighed. "Let me find my tablet."

It was on the kitchen counter under a magazine. Plopping down onto the chair, she scrolled through her messages and found the one from her father. "No, way. Daddy picked these out?"

"Yes," Cheyenne said with soft emphasis.

The dresses were all gorgeous, pretty confections of lace and tulle. There were four all in a row, in a shade of beautiful sea foam green. Two were short, knee length, and the other two were longer. "Has Lora seen these?"

"Yes," Cheyenne confirmed. "These are actually the ones she narrowed his list down to. He had over a dozen for her to choose from. Lora picked the color out though."

"I love the color," Emily murmured, looking at each dress individually. "I don't know. I think I love the little tea length dress with the lace capped sleeves. What do you think?"

"Yes! The same! I knew you'd pick that. It think it will compliment all of our colorings. And Daddy had another idea."

"Okay," Emily said warily. "What's that?"

Her phone pinged.

"Look at the pic I just sent you."

Emily paged through to her text messages. "Cowboy boots?"

"Yup. Lora loves the idea. She had already planned to do it herself, and Mercy will be the flower girl, of course. Lora planned to let her wear her boots as well. What do you think?"

Emily could tell by the excitement in Cheyenne's voice that she loved the idea. "I'm in."

"Okay, perfect! I have a few more calls to make to the other bridesmaids to get their votes. I think the boots are a darling idea."

Emily laughed. "They are. I can't believe Daddy came up with all this."

"I know, right?" Cheyenne's voice was hushed, like they were telling secrets. "It's a little scary how well he's doing. I asked Mama how much she had done, and she says he's been the one picking everything out."

"Wow. That's a little scary."

"So," Cheyenne drew out the word for several beats and Emily knew what was coming. "Any word on when your wedding will be?"

She sighed, knowing that Cheyenne only asked because she loved her little sister. "No. Not yet. If anything, it might be getting a little further away." She told Cheyenne about taking the bath and the interruptions.

"Jeez! He needs to chill. Are you sure you want to wrap yourself up in that? Take it from the voice of experience. It only gets worse later on."

Emily knew Cheyenne was right, but it was hard admitting it. "Yeah. So," she said, injecting enthusiasm into her voice, "what's up with you and Sheridan? Are you guys thinking about tying the knot?"

Cheyenne laughed. "Yes, we will. After everything else settles down. This is Chad and Lora's time."

"Yes. You're right. Well, I know you don't need my approval, but just know that you have it. Sheridan is one of the true blue good guys."

"I know," Cheyenne sighed. "You wouldn't believe how awesome he is. I've gained five pounds just from those darn coffee drinks he keeps getting me! But I love them. And the girls are just head over heels for him. Emily, it's so perfect it hurts."

"Aw," she said, her own throat a little tight with emotion. Her sister deserved happiness after all she'd been through. "I am so happy for you and the girls."

"And I think Olivia is loving us too. It's so hard to tell with teenagers."

Emily laughed. "I can imagine. Is Lora getting anxious? Have you talked to her?"

"I have," Cheyenne murmured, "but she doesn't seem anxious at all. I think in her own mind they've been married for the past couple years, you know? I mean, they've been living together long enough. They bought a new house together. They've done everything a married couple does, just without the paperwork."

"Yes, that's true enough."

"Well," Cheyenne told her, "I better let you get back to avoiding your boyfriend."

"Trouble maker," Emily hissed, laughing.

She looked at her phone for a long moment, though, after Cheyenne hung up. Though it had been said in jest she knew if Neil called right this moment she would refuse the call. Was she looking for ammunition to use against him?

Was this really how she should be feeling toward him?