Free Bartender's Beauty (Culpepper Cowboys Book 11) by Kirsten Osbourne, Culpepper Cowboys Page B

her feet. Corinne studied her critically. “I think we’re ready. Mama and Auntie Felicity will just have to get dressed at the church. It’s time to move!”
    Felicity shook her head at the little girl. “She’s seen some fast weddings, and she’s learned to be bossy.” She looked at Dallas. “I’ll drive you to town in your car, because you’ll need it after the wedding, and everyone knows you can’t drive a car in a wedding dress.”
    Dallas looked at the girl, trying her best to understand but failing miserably. “Why can’t you drive a car in a wedding dress?”
    “I don’t know! But everyone knows you can’t.” She held her hand out for the keys, and after a moment, Dallas gave them to her.
    Dallas quickly threw some things into an overnight bag, and they all rushed out to the two cars that were waiting. Patience drove Corinne, and Felicity drove Dallas.
    “Thank you for hurrying over to help me get ready. I didn’t even know the wedding was going to be so early.”
    Felicity grinned at her, and Dallas grabbed the dashboard of the car. The girl barely looked at the road as she drove. “It’s my duty as best friend and maid of honor.”
    Dallas closed her eyes as another car came toward them on the highway, and Felicity went a little bit off the road to avoid it. “Are you my maid of honor?”
    “Well, we’re best friends, so I just assumed. I guess I should have waited for you to ask me.”
    Dallas shook her head, feeling as if her life was suddenly careening out of control. It wasn’t the fast wedding to Austin that was doing it, either. It was getting into a car with Felicity. “Will you be my maid of honor, Felicity?”
    “I’d be happy to. So kind of you to ask me. I accept, even though it is rather short notice!” Felicity pulled into the parking lot of the church, and Dallas drew a deep breath. She felt like she could breathe for the first time since they’d gotten into the car together.
    Dallas looked around to see if she spotted Austin’s truck, but when she didn’t she got out of the car and rushed toward the church. Opening the door, she hurried in, going straight to the bride’s room. She knew the church well, because she’d attended there for many years.
    Lovie came to the back and stuck her head into the room while Patience and Felicity were putting their bridesmaid dresses on. “Oh, good. You’re here. I’ll make sure Austin stays out of the way.” She stepped all the way into the room and stopped in front of Dallas. “I’m sorry about your father.”
    Dallas nodded, knowing it was expected. “Thank you.”
    “I’m also very glad you’re home, and I know you are going to make a wonderful wife to Austin. That boy has loved you for a very long time.”
    “Am I the only person in the whole world who didn’t know he was in love with me?” Dallas asked, her voice almost a wail. She felt like she’d been in the dark for a whole lot of years.
    “Probably,” Lovie said with a pat on her arm. “We’re glad to have you back in Culpepper where you belong.” She slipped out of the room, and left Dallas shaking her head.
    Feeling a tug on the wedding gown, Dallas looked down at Corinne. “Yes?”
    “You were told that I’m not going to walk down the aisle, right? Because I think it’s important that you know that.”
    Dallas grinned, sitting down in a chair so she would be eye-level with the girl. “What will you do instead?”
    “I need to dance down the aisle. And don’t worry, I don’t have to throw my petals out, because they fly out of my basket as I twirl. I’ve done this enough that I don’t need any instruction. I have my own method, and I’m very good at it.”
    Dallas laughed. “I’m sure you are. I’m glad to have someone so experienced as part of my wedding party.”
    “You really did get lucky.” Corinne wandered off to look at the petals in her basket.
    Felicity grinned, putting her hand on Dallas’s shoulder. “We’re all ready.