We’d been blessed with a beautiful, late-September day. The sun was shining, the slightest of breezes shifted the air, and the temperature was a perfect seventy-three.
Jude’s yard looked amazing. My original plans for a few simple flower arrangements had been altered pretty significantly when I’d enlisted Hannah to help with decorations and seating. Seeing the results, I was glad I’d given her free rein. There were plant pots of varying heights and shapes in a row all along the end of the yard, with a break in the middle for people to walk through to get to the rows of white chairs. Bright, lush, gorgeous flowers spilled from the pots, their colors breathtaking against the rich green lawn.
More flowers in quart jars hung from curlicues on steel rods that had been pushed into the ground at the end of every row of chairs. Enormous arrangements flanked the front where the wedding party would stand, and the bouquets that the bridesmaids and I would carry were breathtaking.
We were an hour and a half away from the start time, and I was anxiously awaiting Myla’s arrival. She’d texted a half hour ago and said she and Derek were getting close to Mountain View. They’d missed their flight yesterday, and thus hadn’t come to the rehearsal. I suspected the missed flight had been by design, but I wasn’t going to call her on it. I was just grateful she was coming at all.
Hannah and my mother were fussing with my dress, which was hanging from a hook Jude had mounted on the wall just for that purpose, but I was hardly aware of them. I pressed a hand to my stomach, trying to soothe the butterflies that were flying around in there at the thought of Myla coming face-to-face with JP.
I’d seen JP earlier, and he looked so very handsome in his gray suit and aqua blue tie—the same color as Hannah’s and Myla’s dresses. Even if Myla was madly in love with her new guy, seeing JP was going to hit her hard. I felt guilty for putting her through it, but I honestly couldn’t imagine getting married without her.
We’d talked a lot in the last few weeks, making plans and telling each other about our unexpected romances. But not once had JP’s name been mentioned, and the fact that she still couldn’t talk about him made me wonder if she was truly over him. Derek sounded like a really nice guy though, so….maybe.
I checked the time again, and right then Myla burst through the door of the upstairs bedroom we’d claimed as the girls’ dressing room.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so, so sorry to cut it so close,” she said, dumping all her stuff on the bed and laying out her dress bag before coming over to hug me. “You look stunning, Ava. Oh my word, this dress!” She went over to where my gown hung in the corner. “It’s even more gorgeous in real life. Facetime didn’t do it justice.”
She moved on to my mother, who accepted her hug a little stiffly. “Hey, Mrs. Milton. Can you believe your baby is ready to walk down the aisle?”
Before Mom could answer, I introduced Myla to Hannah, then Myla went into the bathroom for a shower, which she promised would be lightning quick but was very necessary, because traveling always made her feel dirty.
I tuned everyone out and went over to the window that looked out over the backyard. I could see the whole layout. The beautiful flowers, the rows of white chairs, and the area in the front where we would stand. JP had surprised us by building a beautiful wood and iron pergola, which Hannah had twined with floaty chiffon and more flowers. It was lovely and perfect.
I smiled, feeling jittery with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to walk to Jude and vow to love him forever. To feel his hands around mine and see the love I felt for him reflected back at me from his beautiful blue eyes. To begin our lives as husband and wife.
No doubts, Jude. Not a single one.
Hannah called out that it was time for my makeup, and I obediently went and sat in the designated chair, trusting that the girl Hannah had booked knew what she was doing. I told her I wanted to keep it light and natural, and she nodded and went to work.
My hair was already done, with only a few elegant braids among the waves to hold it back off my face. Jude had requested that I leave it loose rather than putting it up. He said if it was up in some elaborate style I wouldn’t look like myself, and he wanted to see me walking up the aisle, not an unnaturally formal and polished version of myself.
Myla soon emerged from the bathroom, wearing a soft white robe. The hairstylist motioned her over and immediately went to work on her long, thick, dark hair.
“Just a little curl, more of a spirally thing, please, nothing big and puffy,” Myla instructed.
I was relieved that she seemed in such a good mood. I knew part of it had to be forced, hiding her nervousness, but I also knew she was truly happy for me.
As soon as her hair was done, Myla took my place in the makeup chair, and then Hannah announced it was time for the two of them to get dressed so they could then help me with my dress.
The makeup girl and hairstylist began packing up their things, and I went to the window again. A few people were now seated on the chairs, and I couldn’t stop my wide grin. This was happening!
Myla came up beside me and twirled in her dress, causing me to squeal with delight. The aqua color was perfect with her dark hair, golden eyes, and her smooth, lightly tanned skin. It was hard to picture this fancy, gorgeous girl in army camo and boots, but I had no doubt she rocked that look, too.
“It’s perfect, Myla!” I exclaimed happily. “You look so beautiful.”
“I love the dress. Thanks for not making us wear big poofy things.”
“I’d never do that.” I gestured to the window. “Look. Can you believe how beautiful it is out there?”
She came and stood beside me, beaming when she saw the setup. “And the weather is perfect, too. What more could you ask for?”
I heard a door slam from downstairs, and then a group of guys walked out onto the lawn. I immediately looked for Jude, who wasn’t with them, but then I realized JP was. He strode up to the pergola, not even a hint of a limp left in his gait. He reached up to make an adjustment to a strip of chiffon, then tested the sturdiness of the leg nearest him.
I looked over at Myla. Her body was stiff, her eyes locked on JP. She followed his every move as he walked to each corner of the pergola, making sure the legs were all set firmly, then walked back over to the group. Someone said something that made them all laugh, and JP gave Chase a light shove.
I felt Myla’s fingers close around my wrist like a vice.
“I can’t do this, Ava. I thought I could, but I can’t.” Her face was pale, her eyes wide and stricken.
I put my hand on her shoulder and smiled gently.
“Yes, you can, Myla,” I said softly. “You can, and you need to. JP Keller has controlled your life for long enough. Your unfinished business with him has kept you away from friends and family who love you, and it’s going to end.”
She started shaking her head, but I reached up and grabbed her chin. “You’re going to walk down that aisle with your head held high, and when it’s over, you’re going to take JP’s arm and walk out with a smile on your face. Because you’re strong, and it’s time you stop running and show that.”
I gave her my sternest look. “It’s time, Myla. We both know it. Stop giving him the power to control you even when you’re thousands of miles apart.”
Myla closed her eyes. “I don’t want to give him that control, but I can’t seem to help it.”
“It’s kept you away for too long,” I told her gently.
She nodded. “Driving through Hidden Creek just now—it made me realize how much I’ve missed it.” She swallowed hard. “I have until the end of next week to extend my enlistment for another four years. I was going to do it, because I’m really good at my job, and what else would I do, you know? But now I’m not sure. I want to come home, but I don’t think I can live in the same town as JP. Not even after all these years.”
I hugged her. “We’ll figure it out.”
She turned away from the window and smoothed her hair back with a trembling hand. “I’m so tired of hating him, but I don’t know how to stop,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That part of my heart—it’s dead. He killed it.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s not dead, it just needs CPR. Maybe Derek can take care of that, if you truly give him the chance. But first, you need to purge JP. I think you should talk to him.”
I felt a little guilty saying that, because even though I’d mentioned Derek, deep down I still felt there was a chance that Myla and JP were meant to be together, just as Jude and I were. I knew I couldn’t give a hint of that, however. I didn’t want to face Myla’s wrath.
She straightened her spine and I saw a little bit of a spark come back into her lovely eyes.
“I’m all for purging JP, believe me.” She forced a grin. “For now, though, all that matters is your beautiful wedding. This is your day, Ava, and I’m not going to ruin it. I’m going to go down there and own that lawn as your maid of honor. Then I’m going to dance the night away with my handsome boyfriend. I might talk to JP and I might not, but I don’t want you to worry about it either way. You have more important things to think about.”
I hugged her again, tighter than before. “And this is why I had to have you here. I couldn’t get married without you, Myla, I just couldn’t.”
She chuckled. “Just don’ t ever doubt my loyalty to you, Ava Ann Milton. There’s no one else in the world I would face that man for.”
***
It was almost time. Everyone was outside waiting, except for Hannah, Myla, and me. We were huddled at the back door, awaiting our cue, still giggling at how my heel had caught on the bottom step and nearly sent me sprawling in all my wedding-gowned glory. I’d managed to stay upright, but only with much dancing and arm waving, and the other two had witnessed the whole thing.
“Okay, Priscilla is waving us out!” Hannah said excitedly. “Let’s do this thing. Love you, Ava!” And then she was out the door, walking sedately across the lawn as Jude’s friends played a beautiful song on violin and cello.
Myla looked at me, once again fighting the fear. “I’ve got this,” she said. “Don’t worry about me. You’re marrying the love of your life today, and I couldn’t be any happier for you.”
And then she whirled around and walked out, her spine straight, shoulders thrown back confidently. I’d never loved her more than I did in that moment.
Now it was my turn. My father was waiting for me just outside the door. I’d go out and take his arm, and then I’d walk down the aisle and take Jude’s, to love and be loved by him forever.
I went outside eagerly, beaming up at my dad, who looked happy and maybe even a little nervous. I took his arm and watched Priscilla, waiting to be beckoned over to the opening in the flower pots, where I would begin my walk to Jude. She waited for Myla to take her place up front and for the musicians to begin the processional piece, then waved us over.
As the musicians began playing the unmistakable notes of “Canon in D,” Dad and I took our places and everyone stood and turned to see us. I smiled at Dad and we took the first step, and then I looked up and found Jude.
I’d tried to prepare myself, but as always, he blew away my expectations. He stood there at the end of our makeshift aisle, tall and proud and unspeakably handsome in his gray suit. His hands were clasped in front of him, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on me. In that moment it was just the two of us. My eyes stung with tears of pure joy, and even from a distance I could tell his jaw was clenched tight with emotion.
I walked to him as the music swelled, stopping a few steps away. I saw pure love and happiness shining in his eyes, filling me with a sense of wonder and disbelief. That look was for me. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.
I fought back tears, feeling both incredibly blessed and profoundly humbled. This incredible man was my future. My husband. I loved him with everything I had.
The pastor asked who gives this woman to be married to this man, and my father said he did. I gave him a quick hug, handed my bouquet off to Myla, then turned to face Jude.
He held out his hands and I took them, holding on tight.
“I love you,” he whispered, just for me.
“I love you back. No doubts, Jude. Not ever.”
Thank you, Grandma.
I have found the one whom my soul loves.
The End
Thank you so much for reading My Soul Loves. I hope you enjoyed the first book in this new series. Please consider leaving a review on Amazon.
Other books by Barbara Gee:
The Full Heart Ranch Series
Find Me, Save Me
Love Me, Trust Me
Know Me, Keep Me
See Me, Cover Me
Help Me, Hold Me
Other titles by Barbara Gee:
Always a Will and A Way
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