Page 108 of With This Ring
He walked into the room and found his sister standing in front of a full-length mirror surrounded by her best friends, the wedding coordinator, Shane’s mother, and Shane’s sister, Melody. He took inhis sister’s reflection, and his eyes stung with tears. She truly was the prettiest bride he’d ever laid eyes on, and seeing her in a gown exactly like his mother’s was almost too much for him to bear.
He held his breath, hoping to hold back the tidal wave of emotions that threatened to break loose.
Layla met his gaze in the mirror and rushed over to him. “Hud.” She held her arms out, but he took a step back. Her brow pinched. “What is it?”
“You’re perfect, Layla Grace, and I don’t want to mess this up.” He gestured toward her makeup and her gown.
“But I need a hug from my favorite big brother.”
Leaning down, he gave her a loose hug. “You’re beautiful, Layla.”
“Thank you, Hud,” she whispered. “Thank you for always taking such good care of me. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Aunt Trudy appeared beside them, sniffling. “Oh, you both already have me in tears, and we haven’t even heard the vows yet.”
Hudson and Layla laughed.
“Your parents would be so proud of the two of you.”
“Stop it,” Layla said. “Don’t make me cry. My makeup is exactly how I want it.”
Hudson smiled as his aunt enveloped them in a group hug.
“Layla,” said Judy, her wedding coordinator, “we need you to get your bouquet so you’re ready for Hud to walk you down the aisle.”
Aunt Trudy took Hudson’s hand and smiled up at him. “It’s time to marry off your sister.”
***
Dakota’s eyes filled with tears when the wedding march began to echo around the large sanctuary. She stood and faced the back of the church just as Hudson started down the aisle with lovely Layla onhis arm. She was breathtaking in the gown, and just as Layla had hoped, she looked exactly like her mother had all those years ago when she’d also walked down the aisle toward her sweetheart.
“Oh my goodness,” Kayleigh whispered. “Her dress is spectacular. You really outdid yourself.”
“Thanks,” Dakota said.
When Dakota’s gaze found Hudson, she couldn’t look away. He was drop-dead gorgeous in his traditional black-and-white tuxedo. His dark hair had been trimmed, and his angular jaw was free of any scruff. He beamed as his sister held on to his strong arm.
Kayleigh jabbed Dakota in the ribs. “Hud looks really hot.”
“Shh,” Dakota hissed. “Your husband is on the other side of you.”
But Kayleigh was right. Hudsonwashot. He moved smoothly down the aisle. When his sky-blue eyes locked with Dakota’s, her legs felt like cooked noodles. She gripped the back of the pew to steady herself.
Dakota had been so relieved when Layla appeared in her store two weeks ago and told her the wedding was back on. Layla hadn’t shared any details of her reconciliation with her brother, and Dakota hadn’t asked for any. However, she’d noticed his SUV at the Airbnb next door, and she’d hoped that he’d come to see her. But since he hadn’t, she assumed he was moving on. They’d said what they’d needed to say the night of their argument. He hadn’t even bothered to stop by the store for his tux. Instead, Shane had picked it up for him. It broke Dakota’s heart to accept that they had wasted their chance to reconcile. She missed him, and she might never get over him.
When Hudson and Layla reached the end of the aisle, Shane wiped his eyes and smiled at his bride. The love in his eyes for sweet Layla took Dakota’s breath away.
The music stopped, and the minister stood by Hudson and Layla. “Who presents this woman to be married to this man?”
Hudson turned to Trudy in the front row and said, “Her aunt and I do.”
Layla hugged Hudson and whispered something in his ear before the minister took Layla’s hand and moved it to Shane’s. After Hudson joined his aunt in the front pew, the minister instructed everyone to sit, and the ceremony began.
Dakota had a difficult time keeping her tears at bay during the service. When it was over, the minister presented Mr. and Mrs. Simpson to the congregation. The newlyweds kissed before they proceeded down the aisle in front of their attendants.
After the wedding party had disappeared into the narthex, the guests began spilling out of the pews toward the receiving line.