Magnolia Bride. Tara Randel

our family.”

      “The entire process has been a tug-of-war.”

      Nealy flipped a page in the album, then another, grinning over pictures from their youth. The three sisters playing dress up. Graduations. Birthdays. Weddings. Their parents’ anniversary. “So you’re handling interference from Mom?”

      “I thought she’d be the biggest problem, but...” Juliet’s voice wavered.

      “But what?”

      Juliet stayed silent.

      “Whatever it is, sis, you can tell me.”

      Juliet burst into tears. Waving her hand in the air she sat up, managing a few words between shuddering breaths.

      “Don’t mind me. It’s nothing.”

      This was a whole lot of nothing.

      Nealy placed the open book on the coverlet and turned so she and Juliet faced one another. She reached out to stroke her sister’s hair. If she waited long enough, Juliet would open up.

      Being the middle and youngest sisters, Juliet the youngest, there had always been a special bond between them. Even through the years Nealy lived on the west coast, they talked at least once a week, if not more. Juliet had seemed fine in the days leading up to the parties, but since Nealy arrived, she’d noticed a change, subtle at first, then increasingly uptight. “You know you can talk to me about anything.”

      Juliet swiped at her tear-streaked cheeks. “It’s only jitters, right?” She grabbed a tissue from the nightstand. “I mean, c’mon. I’m marrying a senator’s son. I should be excited and here I am crying.” She sniffled. “I’m only dealing with the engagement right now. What will the wedding plans be like?”

      “Has something changed?”

      “We’ve had a few disagreements.”

      “Like the honeymoon location?”

      Juliet pursed her lips. A good sign. “Hawaii is more romantic than rock climbing in Colorado. That was Brandon’s first choice. I hate rock climbing. I told him so, but sometimes he doesn’t listen.” Juliet blew her nose. “It’s more than the trip. I didn’t tell you up front, but I wanted to have a small engagement party, but Brandon insisted his parents expected a big bash and Mom agreed, so we compromised on two parties. What a headache.”

      Oh, boy. “Two parties are unusual, but you’ve got it under control.”

      “With your help. You’ve made this fun and I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

      “Anytime, sis.”

      Nealy fell silent while Juliet rose to pick up her toiletry bag and carry it down the hall to the bathroom.

      When she returned, Nealy asked, “You love him, right?”

      “Yes, but is it enough?”

      Nealy didn’t have an answer. Her own track record left little to be desired. “Tell me more about you two.”

      “Other than how we met at the law firm?”

      Nealy groaned. “Another lawyer in the family.”

      Juliet hiccuped a giggle. “We worked on a trial case together then went out after hours with coworkers from the office. Eventually, it became us going out alone. He’s smart, fun to be with, and Mom and Daddy adore him.”

      “Of course they do. He’s a lawyer,” she said through a small sigh. Her parents were happy Sam, her boyfriend, also happened to be an attorney. They’d met at a charity function she was overseeing, had clicked and started dating. As for Juliet, she sounded as if she was trying to convince herself Brandon was Mr. Right.

      “Then let’s get to the bottom of your concerns. Are you marrying Brandon for them or yourself?”

      “I don’t know now. I mean, I think he’s the one, but could I be wrong? How do I know for sure?”

      “I’m not the person to ask. Look, if he makes you happy and you enjoy being with him, I’d say those are strong building blocks. You just never know when you’ll fall in love or who you’ll fall in love with.”

      “True.” Juliet half sniffed, half laughed. “Look at you.”

      Nealy straightened her shoulders. “What about me?”

      “You did everything you could to stay away from love and lawyers and now you’re seeing one.”

      Nealy laughed. “What can I say?”

      “I don’t know. You’re always cagey on the subject.”

      “He’s a good man.”

      “Loyal to the end, our Nealy.”

      “I don’t know about that.” She’d never told Sam about Dane, deciding early on in the relationship she didn’t want to talk about her past. Was withholding information a form of a lie?

      “You must like Sam, otherwise you wouldn’t still be with him.”

      “It’s not a fireworks kind of relationship, not like with Dane.” Her heart gave a heavy jerk because she spoke the truth. She slapped the scrapbook closed, as if closure alone could diminish the time she’d shared with Dane.

      “Look, I’m sorry about dumping all this on you. Brandon is great. I guess I’ve been overwhelmed by having two parties.” She tried to brush off her concerns with a shaky laugh. “I’m being pulled in so many directions. Mom’s got delusions of grandeur and I don’t feel like Brandon’s family is overjoyed about us.”

      “I didn’t get that impression.”

      Juliet took a deep breath. “See. I’m overreacting. Everything will be fine. The parties will run like clockwork and after I’ll ask myself why I was a nervous wreck.”

      Nealy patted her sister’s leg. “Try to enjoy the weekend.”

      Juliet nodded. “Oh, before I forget, I wanted to show you this.” She slid off the bed to retrieve something from the top of the dresser. She handed Nealy a shiny brochure from the Grand Cypress Hotel. “You didn’t get a chance to see the incredible grounds yet. The landscaper is a genius.” She pointed to a picture of the beautifully manicured yard sweeping from the hotel down to the beach. Magnolia trees in bloom. “I know this is a little soon since the wedding isn’t for a while yet, but I want to give you a heads-up now so you can start brainstorming ideas for how it will look.

      “You know I always wanted this grand, Southern-themed wedding. Maybe not super traditional because the ceremony will be outdoors, but it’s what I pictured in my dreams. There are two magnolia trees at one side of the hotel and the lush grass sweeps down to the beach. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect spot to say my vows.”

      Nealy scanned the brochure. Yes, the grounds were amazing. From the pictures alone, it seemed the hotel had everything in place to conduct a full-scale wedding. Atmosphere. Scenery. Romantic ambiance.

      How weird. Dane, owning a hotel. This hotel. She studied the picture, remembering the span of grass Juliet mentioned. Back when she worked there, it hadn’t been as lush and healthy. She recalled playing volleyball in the summer after their shifts. Playing catch with Dane after his dreams to play professional ball were dashed by his injury.

      “Seems perfect.”

      “It is. Brandon wasn’t too sold on the place. He wanted the reception held at stuffy St. Luke’s banquet hall, but I managed to convince him.” She shivered in mock horror. “Heavy brown drapery and musty smell. Yuck.”

      “Juliet.” Nealy stopped as she noted her sister’s shadowed eyes. “Take a breath. If you aren’t sure, you don’t have to go through with this. Think it through.”

      “I’m sure.” Juliet grasped Nealy’s hand and squeezed hard. To reassure Nealy or herself?