A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(45)

“What is this?” Pam’s voice held confusion as she looked at her dress and shoe box.

“Please put the dresses and shoes on. There is makeup on the dresser as well as brushes and hair stuff. As soon as you’re dressed, I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” Caroline walked out and hurriedly shut the door behind her praying they would do what she said. She seriously felt like she was going to have a damn panic attack. Wedding planning was so not her forte. She’d rather be in the classroom with a hundred preschoolers than go through that again.

******

Jill stood while her mom laced up her dress. The long mirror Trevor had brought up from her mom and dad’s bedroom stood against the wall. Jill couldn’t stop staring at herself. She actually looked pretty. Her mom, being a hairdresser, had done her hair and makeup, but it was the dress that kept catching her eyes. It was a white silk sleeveless swoop neck, off-the-shoulder wedding dress that fit tight to the waist and then flared out into flowing lace with no train. It was a simple dress for a simple girl. Looking back at her face, she was happy that her mother was very good with makeup. Her dark circles had all but disappeared from under her eyes.

“Okay, turn around and let me see you,” her mother said after finishing lacing up the back of the dress. As Jill turned, her mom raised her hand and placed it across her mouth with a gasp.

“What?” Jill put her hand up to her face. “Did I mess something up?”

Her mom laughed, shaking her head. “No. You look stunning.”

“I’m not as good at being a girl like Janie.” Jill grinned. “I bet she looked beautiful on her wedding day.”

A dark look passed over her mother’s face. “I haven’t talked to your sister in quite some time. Your father refused to let her boyfriend on the property after the day he held the gun on you.”

“I’m sorry.” Jill touched her mother’s arm. “I didn’t mean to cause any problems.”

“Jill, you didn’t cause anything.” Her mother frowned. “Chuck was right, and since that day, I’ve done a lot of thinking and realized how badly I’ve treated you.”

“Hey,” Jill said when her mom wouldn’t make eye contact with her. “It’s my wedding day. Let’s not do this. You don’t need to explain anything to me. It’s the past.”

Her mom nodded and then her eyes sprang open. “I almost forgot.” She ran over to the dresser pulling out a small box. “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue which will match your hair.” She teased.

Jill took the box and opened it. Inside was a pearl choker with white and light blue pearls. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”

“It’s very old.” Her mom took it from her and walked around to slip it on Jill. “It has been in my family for I don’t even know how long, but it has been passed down from generation to generation to the daughters in the family.”

After it was clasped around her neck, Jill turned and walked closer to the mirror. It was perfect and the finishing touch she needed. “It’s perfect.” Jill grinned, touching it, then looked at her blue tipped hair. “And it does match my hair. Slade likes my hair.”

“And why wouldn’t he,” her mother replied, her eyes lifting from the choker to Jill. “It’s who you are. Now, are you ready?”

Jill took one last glance at herself and nodded. “Yes.” But as she headed down the steps, her stomach knotted painfully with nerves. Walking into the kitchen, she stopped and stared, a large smile spreading across her face. “You all look so beautiful.”

Everyone stopped talking and turned toward Jill. Suddenly, the kitchen was filled with screams, questions and laughter.

“Oh, my God, Jill.” Nicole put both hands on her cheeks staring at her. “You are so beautiful.”

Jill went over and carefully hugged each one of them. “Thank you guys so much for everything.” She stood back looking at them excitedly. “I know you have questions, but please trust me on this and go with it.”

“Everything is ready.” Caroline smiled at Jill, then the women. “Follow me please.”

She knew everyone was dying to know what was going on, but Jill just smiled at their questioning looks. She watched as each left the kitchen looking gorgeous in their simple white dresses, each unique in their own way. Jill wanted to clap her hands in excitement.

Stepping onto the porch she watched as Caroline matched each woman up with someone. Sloan walked up to Nicole taking her arm gently and walking her toward the woods. Next was Tessa who was matched with Blaze, Pam with Jax, Lana with her own father, and Angelina with Steve.

Jill stood watching the women. She wondered if they had a clue what was going on. It was kind of obvious, but she knew the plan and they didn’t. Her smile beamed as her dad hurried toward her.

“You are beautiful.” He hugged her gently. “Are you ready?”

“Thanks, Dad.” Jill laughed and tried her best not to cry. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Jelly Bean.” He hooked her arm into his and followed the line. “Be careful. Your heels might sink in the dirt.”

“I’m good.” She reached down and lifted her dress, showing her bare feet.

Her dad leaned his head back, releasing a loud laugh. “I taught you well.”