Page 40 of Holiday Hitch
“That’s the only right answer,” Clarissa said. She brought her daughter in for a hug and continued in a whisper, “I am so proud of the person you are today and every day. And Dani… Well, I couldn’t pick someone more perfect for you myself.”
Jamie tapped her foot as tears welled in her eyes, “Mom, seriously don’t make me cry right now. I have a stupid amount of make up on.”
Clarissa patted her on the back, and headed toward the entrance of the tent where she stood at attention for whenever Jamie was ready.
An assistant popped her head into the tent and said, “Miss Lawson, they’re ready for you.”
Taking a deep breath and looking at her mom, Jamie said, “Let’s do it.”
They exited the tent and made their way down the gravel path, freshly shoveled after the Christmas day snow fall. Daryl had insisted they use salt and pepper stone because it would be softer on everyone’s feet, even though it was late December and everyone would be wearing thick shoes.
It brought a smile to Jamie’s face to think about how much her friends and the people of New Winford cared about her and Dani’s perfect wedding.
They rounded a bend in the path and the crowd stood to see Jamie and her mother. A soft piano ballad played over speakers as Jamie walk down the aisle and waved at the various guests. Including Daryl and Leah, who were sat in the middle of the crowd and whispering about their work on the floral arrangements.
Jamie could hear them as Daryl questoned, “Do you think I should’ve made the new kid finish the planting?”
Leah shook her head and whispered, “No, you have plenty of time to train her, but I do wish we had insisted on a bouquet for Jamie.”
Jamie shot them a look, shaking her head, as she slowly made her way down the aisle to the altar.
When they made it to the arch at the end of the aisle, Jamie hugged her mom, “Thank you for everything, mom. I love you more than you will ever understand.”
Clarissa held her daughter's arms, “Congratulations, my sweet.” She walked to her seat in the front row next to Malack, Arden, and Dani’s Aunt Dee.
Facing down the aisle, Jamie waited to see her bride. She tapped her foot anxiously as she waited, thinking about their love story as she stood at the altar.
Really, she had Clarissa and her manager to thank for their relationship since it was their idea for Jamie to return to New Winford to fix her reputation. But no one could’ve predicted that Jamie’s attraction to Dani would be as strong as it was.
Just as Jamie was thinking about the way Dani made her heart feel like it was on fire, an instrumental ofMake You Feel My Loveplayed. Jamie knew that it was Dani’s cue to walk into the venue.
Jamie cleared her throat and folded her hands together in front of her. Dani appeared from the same bend in the path that Jamie had just a few minutes before.
Jamie’s hand flew to her own mouth as the shock of Dani’s beauty and her gorgeous dress washed over her.
The dress clung to Dani’s gorgeous curves, the silk shimmering in the December sun as she walked down the aisle. Jamie couldn’t stop her eyes from wandering down Dani’s figure, the sleek gown fitting her perfectly.
Jamie held back the tears in her eyes, knowing that once she started she wouldn’t be able to stop.
Her bouquet was perfect, largely winter blooms with hints of bright color to pop against her cream colored dress.
And at her side was none other than Diesel, wearing a handsome bowtie and looking sharp.
Jamie laughed at the sight, not knowing that was Dani’s plan. Last she had heard, Dani was walking solo since she had lost both of her parents.
When Dani approached the altar, Arden stood and helped her up, grabbing her bouquet and standing to the side with Diesel.
Malack took her place between the happy couple as the officiant, holding a large, padded leather folder in her arms.
No one knew their relationship quite like Malack, who had played intermediary for many years.
With a smile on her face, Malack began, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Dani Crawford, and Jamie Lawson.”
Jamie beamed at her bride and mouthed, “I’m never gonna stop fighting for you either.”
Malack read a brief speech, “I remember the first time I heard Jamie talk about Dani. It was freshman year of high school and Dani wouldn’t ever say “excuse me” when she would push past Jamie in the hallway. And I knew it was love.”
The crowd laughed as Malack continued, “But seeing them together now, it all felt so cosmically destined because I’ve never seen a couple so in love or so willing to do right by each other every day.”