Page 254 of The Seven Rings

Sonya just hugged her. “If you ruin your makeup, we’ll fix it. I’m having the wedding of my dreams, surrounded by people I love. I’m marrying the man I love, a man who sees me, hears me, loves me. A man I already know will walk through fire, not just for me but with me.”

“You fought for it, Son.”

“We fought for it.” They clinked glasses. “I love you both, so much.”

After the toast, Cleo took Winter’s hand. “Give us five minutes in the bathroom to touch up Winter’s makeup. Then it’s time we went down.”

“I’m ready. Whenever you are.”

Sonya turned to the mirror, then around again when she saw Clover.

“I didn’t want to, like, get in the way.”

“You’re never in the way.”

“You look completely wow. I just wanted to say… I’m going to blubber some. I’m really happy, really proud, really so much of all kinds of stuff. Anyway, when Trey sees you? Socks knocked off.”

Clover blew a kiss, and was gone.

When Cleo and Winter came out, Sonya angled her head. “Beautiful, both of you.” She picked up her bouquet. “Let’s go knock some socks off.”

As they went down, Cleo texted to cue the music.

After a last hug, she stepped out as Etta James soared on “At Last.”

“Nervous, baby?”

“Not even a little.” Holding her mother’s hand, she walked out.

She felt her father, caught his scent, and as her mother’s hand tightened on hers, she knew Winter felt him, too.

She saw friends, Trey’s family and hers, Cleo’s.

And the seven brides with the grooms who’d stayed. She saw Molly and the staff who’d stayed.

Love and light, she thought. So much it seemed to fill the world.

Then she saw only Trey, waiting for her. She saw his heart in those deep blue eyes.

So she kept her eyes on his as she walked to him to exchange the symbol of rings, and to promise him a lifetime.

A lifetime, together, building a life and family in the grand old house the locals called Lost Bride Manor.