Tanner, how are you?” I ask when he opens the door to let me in. I was too antsy to wait until rehearsal dinner to see Emi. It’s still hours away, so I decided to sneak in a quick visit on my way to the fabric store for thread. “Lillian, it’s good to see you, dear.” His burly arms wrap around me, offering me one of his papa bear hugs. I welcome his affection. Dr. Tanner is a bighearted man who’s loved and respected by many of his patients, including my mother. He’s the kind of doctor who’d give you the shirt off his back and never think twice about it. “Same here, Dr. Tanner.” Emi’s father is a tall, stout man with a healthy midsection. As long as I’ve known him, he’s had a small spiral bald spot on the back of his head that’s now fully matured to the front. Emi was blessed with his grayish blue eyes and full lips. This is why my nickname for Emi is Lips. She has the sexiest pair in Indiana, and I have yet to hear anyone challenge me on that claim.
