bChapter /bb200 /b

Although Edith could be a little slow when it came to matters of the heart, she was far from na?ve.

From the lounge to this very moment, everything Lucille had said and done had already told her what kind of intentions the woman was harboring.

Lucille, meanwhile, was clearly surprised–Mrs. Hawksley, who inow /igripped her wrist, wasn’t nearly as easy to handle as she’d first appeared.

“Well, since Miss Lowell seems to think things between you and Justin aren’t quite over, why don’t we take advantage of the fact that everyone’s here and have an honest conversation about it?” Edith suggested, her voice calm but firm.

A flicker of surprise shed across Lucille’s face–gone in an instant. Just then, Justin strode toward them, and Lucille’s sharp gaze softened immediately into something far more innocent.

“Edith, really, there’s nothing between Justin and me. Let me go, please–I need to catch the bouquet,” Lucille pleaded, though her words seemed intended more for

Justin than Edith.

Justin stopped in front of them, ncing first at Edith, then at her hand still holding Lucille’s wrist.

Lucille offered a harmless, sheepish smile. “Justin, look–Miss Sumner won’t let me

go.”

Justin’s eyes were shadowed by the light behind him, making his expression unreadable. He lifted his lips in a cold half–smirk. “Call her Mrs. Hawksley, or sister–inw. ‘Miss Sumner‘ sounds far too distant.”

Lucille froze for a split second, her face betraying a range of emotion before she smoothed it away, returning to her gentle, demure self.

“Sister–inwi, /iplease, let me go. Let me catch the bouquet, and then we can really talk, okay?”

Edith released her grip; truthfully, she hadn’t been holding Lucille all that tightly.

As Lucille drew her hand back, she nced at her wrist with a little pout. “Sister–inwi, /iyou hurt me.”

A cloud seemed to pass through Edith’s mind, and she murmured, “I’m sorry.”

16:43

Lucille just smiled, her eyes narrowing yfully. “You’re Pennie’s and my sister–inw–that’s nothing to apologize for.”

When it came time for the bouquet toss, Pennie was practically giddy. “Sorry, everyone, but today’s bouquet is reserved for my best friend, Lucille! I truly hope this time she finds a man who loves her as much as she loves him!”

This time? Such a subtle choice of words–clearly, there had been ast time.

With all the ceremony of a ry race, Lucille caught the bouquet as Pennie handed it

to her herself.

Tears welled up in Lucille’s eyes as she clutched the microphone and spoke, her voice trembling with emotion. “I regret that I’ve been through a marriage that was far from perfect, but I’m so grateful for Pennie’s love and for this precious blessing. When I was at my lowest, Pennie was always there, telling me to have faith and to ikeep /igoing. That’s how I made it through. I’ll treasure this blessing, and just like today’s bride, I’ll marry for love–marry for happiness!”

The crowd erupted in apuse, the cheers lingering long after she finished speaking.

The wedding reception came to a close.

The Hawksley family hosted a dinner to wee Justin and Edith, who hade all the way from Northcrest.

In a private dining room, where the ss–topped table gleamed beneath the light and fresh lilies matched the wedding’s floral arrangements, the atmosphere was intimate

and exclusive.

Seated around the table, along with those from the earlier gathering, was today’s groom–Winston.

Handsome and charming, with a roguish tilt to his brow, Winston was every bit the debonair gentleman.

Raising his wine ss toward Justin, Winston offered a toast. “Mr. Hawksley, with your busy schedule, it’s a rare treat to have you here. Should I be thanking someone in particr for that?”

His meaning was clear.

Edith lifted her eyes to see Winston arching an eyebrow at Lucille, who sat beside Pennie.

16:43

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