Cat quickly performed one last check of the girls’ hair. She touched up a section of Kayla’s because she wore her hair down in loose curls, but pulled away from her face to show off the earrings she borrowed from Mrs. Riverton’s jewelry. When she checked on Ginger’s French twist, all she did was add some hairspray but was careful not to get any on the pearl necklace she’d borrowed.

It wasn’t long before they heard vehicles pull into the driveway. They hurried to the window, trying to get a look at the guys, but their fathers stepped in front of it.

“Not yet, girls. You get to see them when they see you,” Mr. Monroe said as he walked through the door. “You girls look beautiful.” Tears welled in the big man’s eyes as he stared at his daughter.

“Your mother said we’ll be starting in ten minutes. You know she’s a stickler for staying on schedule. I think she’s directing the director,” Mr. Gregory said. He held his daughter’s hands. “There’s only one bride that I’ve ever seen who looked as beautiful as you girls, and that was Mabel.” Mr. Gregory looked affectionately at Kayla.

“Please don’t make them cry. It doesn’t take much for Ginger, anyway, and Kayla cries at all weddings. And I’ve spent hours getting their makeup just right,” Cat said.

The music started as they stood by the glass doors and watched Grayson place white roses on the left-hand side of the row of chairs while Thomas did the same thing on the right-hand side. The roses were for Mr. and Mrs. Riverton. When both men returned, they escorted their mothers down the same sides of the chairs for them to sit in the middle of the first row. After the ladies sat, Grayson took the end seat on the second row as Thomas again made his way back to the group standing just inside the back doors of the house.

The smile that spread across his face as he approached Cat was breathtaking. He cupped her face and gently kissed her before he asked, “Ready to do this?”

She nodded.

The music started again, and they made their way toward the platform. They walked together until they split to walk on either side of the chairs. Thomas went to the right and Cat to the left. Once they were in place, Mr. Gregory and Mr. Monroe walked the girls outside. They waited for the correct music which gave them time to take everything in.

The platform had six palm plants, three down each side. There were three candelabra with three candles, one in the middle with all three candles lit, and one to each side with just the outside candles lit.

Evan wore his charcoal gray tailored suit that he wore when he and Ginger went to The Overlook with a white shirt and a black tie. He had a white rose pinned to his lapel to match Ginger’s bouquet.

Mitchell was a little more casual with dark dress jeans, a white dress shirt, charcoal tie, and black summer sports coat. He had a red rose pinned to his lapel to match Kayla’s bouquet.

The brides and their fathers made their way down toward the platform. When they were at the end of the aisle, the fathers released their daughters into the hands of the men they loved, and then took their seats, responding at the appropriate time.

Since no one had wanted a long, drawn-out ceremony, the couples decided on traditional vows. The men said theirs in perfect precision and slid the wedding bands in place. Ginger and Kayla repeated their vows at the same time. Ginger never took her eyes off Evan as she confidently said, “I promise to love honor, and obey.” Her smile was wide, and her eyes were shiny.

Kayla’s words were timed precisely with Ginger’s as they’d practiced. She held Mitchell’s gaze as she said, “I promise to love, honor, and…”

Confusion washed over Mitchell’s face. His grip tightened on Kayla’s hands as his eyes grew wider. “Obey,” she finally said before she leaned in and whispered, “Most of the time.” Her smile was brilliant, and her eyes were playful.

Mitchell narrowed his eyes at her as he whispered, “We’ll see.”

The next thing they heard was, “With the power invested in me by the state of South Carolina, I pronounce you husbands and wives. You may kiss your brides, gentlemen.”

The men apparently had been waiting on that statement. The looks on their faces said one thing, but they restrained themselves to keep the kiss polite in front of the preacher and parents.

Cheers from the small group of family and friends went up, and the couples turned to face them as the preacher introduced them as wedded couples. They stepped off the platform and were greeted with hugs and kisses all around. A few pictures were taken before Evan and Ginger made their way to the house to change for the reception.

As they walked back outside, Mitchell grabbed Evan. The brothers hugged in an emotional moment. When they released each other Mitchell asked, “Do you have the song list for the DJ at the reception?”

“Yes. Four songs total for the reception then the rest is just a street dance, correct?” Evan confirmed.

“Agreed. I want to leave and start my honeymoon as quickly as possible,” Mitchell said as he wiggled his brows.

Evan shook Nathan and Sam’s hands. When he got to Ben, he said, “Ben, this means a lot to me. I know this had to be hard for you, so thank you for being here with us.”

Ben nodded and gave Evan a brotherly hug. He cleared his voice before he said, “I’m going to pick up Buck from the hotel. He’s the secret service agent who’s come to help us. I figured you ought to meet him before you leave town.”

While Evan was speaking with Ben, Sheriff Cahill and his wife spoke to Mitchell. He coughed into a handkerchief before putting his hand on Mitchell’s shoulder. “Glad y’all finally did that. I’m proud of ya, son.”

“Thanks, Sheriff, Mrs. Cahill.”

“I’m goin’ home before this cough gets worse. Sam can handle anything for me.” He coughed again before his wife guided him to their car.

The photographer snapped a few pictures of the couples getting in their cars. “You need to wait a few minutes before you head out. I need a head start to be ready for your arrival,” he said.

Evan, Ginger, Mitchell, and Kayla watched as everyone left the ranch. The guys pulled their cars from the garage then helped their ladies get in before they headed toward town.