Chapter 21
The seatbelt grabbed and slammed Amy against of the seatback as the Toyota veered off the road and into a ditch. The airbags inflated when the vehicle came to an abrupt stop.
“Uh,” Amy groaned. “My God, Vanna, you okay?”
“I think so.” Her friend turned off the engine and slowly released her seatbelt. “I’m sorry, Amy. Something happened to the tire and the car pulled to the right. I couldn’t control the direction.”
Amy peeked out of the passenger side window and tried to open door. The vehicle slid further into the trench and tilted as if the auto might fall over.
“Vanna, can you open your side? If I open my door the car might shift.”
Without answering, Vanna hooked her purse’s strap on her shoulder, pushed the driver’s side door open, and managed to crawl out.
Relieved, Amy grunted, released her belt, and climbed toward the driver’s side.
“Can you get out?” Vanna yelled.
Making sure her wedding dress didn’t get caught on anything, Amy pulled herself to the driver’s side door. With a grunt, she exited the car.
Vanna hugged her. “You all right?”
“Yeah. Oh God! I left Granny’s veil.”
“Amy, don’t go back. The car might rollover. Don’t!”
“I’m not marrying anyone without Granny’s veil.” She raised her dress above her knees and scrambled into the Toyota. The box sat on the floor in the back. As she reached for it, the vehicle slid farther off the road. Her heart thundered as she gripped the seat and held on, then grabbed the box.
“Amy!”
“It’s okay.” With a grunt, she took a deep breath and attempted to reach the exit, the climb steeper this time. Even so, she clung to the large package and worked her way to the driver’s side door, tossed the box outside and clambered after it.
“Dear God, don’t you ever scare me like that again.” Vanna hugged her.
“Nice day for a walk.” She ignored her friend’s comment. “Come on, Vanna.”
“Amy, I’m so sorry I caused the accident.”
“Wasn’t your fault.” She picked up the box. “We’re both okay. That’s all that matters.”
“And you’re the bride. The ceremony can’t begin until you arrive.”
“True.” She laughed with relief. She and Vanna might have been killed.
Fifteen minutes later, Amy’s pink cowgirl boots were dusty and she was overheated but determined. They took turns carrying the veil, careful to be sure the box remained closed.
“Amy, are you limping?”
“No. Uh, maybe, a little.”
“What happened?”
“I hit my knee on the door when the car went in to the ditch—Vanna, I’m fine.”
“I want to see.”
“Let’s keep going. If you can.”
“I’m good. Amy, tell me if you want to stop and rest.”
“Okay.” It hurt, but no point in whining.
Amy increased her pace, determined not to limp. Useless anger pricked her. If she wasn’t wearing her new pink boots, and her knee didn’t already ache, she’d have kicked the dirt on the shoulder of the road. With all she and Wyatt had overcome to get to this day, why couldn’t things go smoothly?
Not a farmhouse in sight, open fields bordered the road. She understood Granny’s house was rural, but that took on a new meaning now she was walking to town.
With the sun beating down, she remembered her first day back in Sierra Creek. At the bus stop outside of town, wearing a tank top and shorts, the hundred degree heat had singed her skin. Frustrated with the wait for a ride, she’d been surprised to find Wyatt was the man designated to drive her into Sierra Creek. Later that day, after the details of her grandmother’s will became known, anger had raced in her. So livid with Wyatt, the idea she could ever marry him was the farthest thought from her mind. Was it less than a year ago? It seemed longer. There’d been so many changes in her life since that day.
“Amy, slow down. I’m wearing three inch heels.”
Her friend’s words brought her back to the present. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
“It’s okay, but let’s stop for a break.”
“Okay, I could do with rest, shade and water too.” Amy glanced at Vanna’s reddened skin. If they didn’t find cover and soon, she and her friend would be sunburned as well as late.
“I’m tempted to take off my heels and walk barefooted. But I’d ruin my hose and I didn’t bring another pair.” Vanna slipped off one of her green satin heels, wiggled her toes and put the shoe back on.
They walked slower as the heat increased and Amy tried not to calculate how much farther or how long it would take them to reach the church. At first, they’d talked, but now they continued in silence.
Brides had the prerogative to be late, so no one would come looking for them. They were on their own. She sniffed. No crying, even in frustration. This is a day of happiness.
The thought of Wyatt kept her going. Soon he’d declare his devotion to her. If she had to crawl, nothing was going to stop her from arriving at the chapel to hear him say, “I do.”
The sound of hooves interrupted her thoughts. Maybe the rider could get help.
As the horses came closer, she looked behind her and saw a white Barouche carriage decorated with dozens of pink roses and drawn by two of the most beautiful grey Percheron draft horses she’d ever seen.
“Vanna, look.”
The four-seater coach, with the driver perched on the high front seat, came near enough to be recognized.
“Johnny!”
He reined the horses to a halt on the road. “Need a ride, ladies?” Dressed in a cut-away suit and a top hat, he grinned, then turned serious. “I noticed the car in the ditch. Are you both okay?”
“We’re fine, Johnny. You’re a life saver.” Amy grinned.
“Well, your carriage awaits my Lady.” He laughed. “That was in a movie.” He jumped down from his seat and opened the door to the covered vehicle.
“I feel like a princess. You’re fulfilling my dream. I always wanted a carriage to ride in for my wedding.” She hugged him. “This is incredible. It can’t be the one from your barn?”
“Yep. See what a good coat of paint can do.”
“Amazing!”
“Look at the roses,” Vanna added.
“Sophie, did that,” Johnny said with pride.
“Beautiful! Did you know your mother was doing this, Vanna?”
“Nope. Mom kept it a secret.”
“Well, I’ll be.”
Johnny offered his hand to Amy. “This is my present to you and Wyatt. I thought it would take you from the church to the reception, but looks like a ride to the chapel is needed more.”
“You rescued a lady in distress.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and he flushed.
As she and Vanna settled in the back seat, he quickly returned to his perch and the coach took off at a good clip.
As the carriage approached the church in Sierra Creek, Amy breathed a sigh of relief, no paparazzi in sight. Vanna’s ruse about not having set a wedding date worked. She’d even come up with the story about Amy wanting to marry in her old home town of San Francisco. She and Wyatt desired a huge church wedding in one of the cathedrals and then an expensive reception in a hotel on Nob Hill.
“When I lived in L.A., I saw famous actors do the same thing to keep reporters off the trail.” Vanna laughed.
“Thanks goodness you knew how to handle it.”
They entered by the side door of the little chapel. Bobby and Sophie were waiting for them.
“Hi, you two,” Sophie greeted them. “About time you arrived. Are you okay?
“We’re fine, just a little car trouble,” Vanna answered quickly.
Amy let it go, no point in upsetting everyone just before the ceremony.
“Have you seen inside the church? Looks lovely. The white roses, pink carnations and satin bows on each pew is a sweet idea. The whole place smells like flowers,” Sophie said with satisfaction.
“Thanks. Vanna and I decorated early this morning.” Amy smiled.
“Me to Mommy.”
“Yes, sweetie, you too.” She kissed her son on the cheek.
“Aw.” He licked his hand and scrubbed his face. “Mommy, you smell good.”
“Thanks. You and Daddy gave me the perfume for Christmas.”
“Sophie, we saw Johnny driving his coach, Vanna said.
“The decorations you did are wonderful. I had no idea. It’s a fantastic surprise. Thank you,” Amy added.
“You’re welcome.”
With a tissue, Amy wiped dust from her pink cowgirl boots. “That’s better.” She turned to glance in the mirror. “I want everything to go right from now on. Is my veil on straight?”
“Yes,” Sophie reassured her. “You’re beautiful.”
“I’m shaking and I can’t seem to slow my breathing.” She tried to smile. “Excitement, I think.”
“Everything will be fine. And you’re perfect,” Vanna said.
“Bobby, remember you’re are taking me down the aisle like we practiced.” Amy glanced at her son.
“No.”
“What did you say?”
“No. I have to carry the rings on the pillow.”
“There’s only one ring and someone can give it to Wyatt before the ceremony.”
Bobby stomped his foot. “Daddy told me there’s two. See.” He shoved the small pillow at her.
Two gold bands sat neatly tied in place with small pink ribbons, including the gold circle she’d had made for Wyatt. She’d assumed he’d never wear it.
She stood silent, processing the new information. “Well, I’ll be.” She paused. “But if Bobby doesn’t walk me down the aisle and give me away, who will?”
“Will I do?” a deep voice asked.
Everyone in the room spun around to see a man standing in the open doorway.
“Mr. Cameron.”
“Bill,” he corrected her.
“Bill, I didn’t expect to see you.”
“Hope I’m invited.”
“Of course you are. I just…”
“Grandad.” Bobby ran to him and gave him a hug.
“Amy, may I offer my arm? I’d be proud to give you to my son.”
“What about this ring?” She pointed to the man’s wedding band, recalling Bill had told Wyatt to not to be branded by wearing one.
“I’d say he’s a lucky man.”
“Thank you.” Amy caught a tear before it slid down her cheek. “And Bill, you look handsome dressed in the dark suit.”
“This is a special occasion.” He grinned.
She couldn’t recall seeing him do that until this moment. It changed him from a grumpy old man to a handsome gentleman.
Strains of the Wedding March started.
“Line up everyone.” Vanna played event planner. “I’ll go in first and then Bobby and Amy and Mr. Cameron—Oh, Mom,” she said to Sophie. “There’s a seat for you in the front pew, next to Johnny. Why don’t you go in first?”
“Okay.” The woman rushed from the room.
“Ready? Remember to walk slowly. Your friends want to get a good look at the bride”
“I’m trembling.”
“I’ve got you, Amy.” Bill gently squeezed her hand. “You’re going to be fine and you’ll take Wyatt’s breath away.” He took her arm. “Shall we?”