Second Chance Vows novel · Chapter 24 of 24

Chapter 24: First

On Saturday the same white chairs stood in the same long rows on the Kingsford lawn.

The river shone behind the arch, and four hundred people took their seats.

This time I did not stand in a rented suit.

My father had paid for mine with the first check from Kingsford Port, and he stood beside me in his own, with his cuffs buttoned.

"Breathe, Dad," I said.

"I'm not the one who needs to," he said, and he was smiling.

Every seat in the front row on the groom's side was full except one.

The place where Trent had sat was empty, and the guests had left it empty.

The music began, and the garden went quiet.

Edmund Kingsford walked his granddaughter down the aisle with his cane in one hand and her arm in the other.

She wore a pale green dress, with her hair down and no veil.

Her chin was up, and her eyes were open, and she was looking at me.

She did not look at the chairs, or the flowers, or the people.

She looked at me the whole way down the aisle.

Four hundred people stood, and every one of them watched her do it.

Edmund stopped in front of me, and put her hand in mine.

His own hand did not shake this time.

"I told you once I would take you apart," he said, very low.

"Yes, sir."

"I would like to withdraw that." His old face was dry, and his eyes were not. "Look after her. She will look after you better."

"I know, sir."

The officiant began, and this time I heard every word.

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