“Next time I see you, you’ll be walking toward me, seconds from saying ‘I do.’ ” I was so anxious, I couldn’t wait another minute. “Let’s get this show on the road then. Seems like I’ve waited forever for this day!” I leaned in his side of the cart and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Move it!” I pointed toward the gazebo. “I might beat you there at this pace.” His dimples popped and I couldn’t resist putting the tip of my finger in one before he pulled away with a wave, calling behind him, “MJ will bring your mom back. Wait for her!” I suppose waiting for my mom to walk me down the aisle was a good idea. I stood on tiptoe trying to see the gazebo as the cart turned with the path, but for all the bushes and trees, I could only make out the weather vane on the very top turning gently in the breeze. I was alone. For one blessed moment, I was alone before my wedding and thought I might burst with excitement. I’d planned and planned, and standing in the bridal room at the Weston Plantation, I’d been running through every detail in my mind, hoping and praying everything went off without a hitch—well, with only one hitch, Merrick and me.
