Kiss the Bride (13 page)

Jenna fiddled with the camera settings, pasted on a smile, and faced the women preening in mirrors. She used the reflections to show off their dress backs and faces at the same time. See . . . she had this.

Amber wore her flowing white fairy-tale princess dress. The bridesmaids dressed in lavender cocktail dresses.

Two women took pictures of each other. That gave Jenna an idea. “I want everyone to take a selfie, then give me your phones with the picture on them.”

The women did.

Using Amber's wedding dress train as a backdrop, Jenna arranged the phones, then took photos of the selfies. Satisfied with the results, she handed back the phones. “Thanks.”

A knock sounded.

Amber hurried toward the bathroom in a swish of white, luxurious fabric. “That better not be Toby.”

The maid of honor, a pretty blonde named Elizabeth, answered the door. “Ash. Mr. Vance. What are you doing here? Your knock sent Amber into hiding.”

“Can we speak with Jenna out in the hallway?” Ash asked.

Jenna wanted to ignore the request, but Ash was paying her. No sense causing a scene. She made her way out. “Be right back, ladies.”

In the hallway, Ash stood next to his father. Their black tuxedos highlighted their similar heights and different
accessory colors. His father wore black. Ash had on the same lavender vest and tie as the other groomsmen.

Handsome, yes, but looks would never make up for Ash's lack of trust and faith in her. Nothing could.

“What's up?” She tried sounding nonchalant when all she wanted to do was bolt. A runaway bride was one thing. She'd never heard of a vanishing wedding photographer. Jilting a couple at the altar would not be good for business.

Ash looked at his father.

“I owe you an apology.” Judge Vance's tone was contrite. “I should have let my son decide what he wants, not try to make those decisions for him. I've treated you unfairly twice. First when I told Amber I'd buy her a new car if she stopped your wedding.”

That
had been Amber's reason? A car? No wonder she hadn't wanted to tell anyone. The revelation left Jenna speechless.

“And the other day,” the judge continued. “I was trying to protect my son. His mother comes from a background similar to yours. I saw history repeating itself and stepped in to stop him from being hurt. I hope you'll see it in your heart to forgive me someday.”

The judge walked away. His shoulders hunched.

She watched him go, feeling sad. “Your father loves you very much.”

Ash nodded. “He was trying to protect me the best way he knew how. Not that his reason excuses his actions.”

Jenna could see the situation more clearly now. “He didn't want you to suffer the same pain he did, but his methods were wrong.”

“I was wrong. I've said ‘I'm sorry' so many times you must not believe me.”

“Words are easy to say.”

Ash brushed his hand through his hair. “I mean them. I let pride get in the way of seeing the truth. Believing my father wasn't capable of . . . well, everything he's done to you.”

“Don't worry about me.” She wasn't sure where the words came from, but she believed them with her whole heart. “You need to forgive your father and yourself.”

“What about us?” Ash asked. “We tried starting over, but maybe if we tried again . . . if you can forgive me . . . ?”

“I accept your apology, but it's hard to forget what you've done when you keep doing it.” Her throat clogged. She swallowed, but that didn't help. “I care about you, Ash. I always have. But you promised. You claimed you wouldn't do the same thing again. But you did. You wouldn't believe what I said until you had proof. I need to know the man I'm with trusts me. That he'll be on my side, no matter what.”

“Jenna—”

“Not now.” She raised her hands, palms facing him. “You're paying me to take pictures of your sister's wedding. I can't do that out here.”

“Later, then.” The hope in his voice matched the sentiment in his gaze.

“Maybe.” That was all Jenna could give him. “It's going to be a long day.”

Hours later, Ash loosened his tie. The four-tiered cake had been cut and served. The tossed bouquet had hit Jenna on the forehead. One bandage later, she was back taking pictures. Bridesmaids had stuck their shoes under a table and walked barefoot.

He looked at the smiling guests and crowded dance floor.

A perfect wedding. Exactly what Amber had wanted. He couldn't be happier for his sister and Toby, now Mr. and Mrs. Matthews.

Funny how Amber was married while Ash was still single. And at this rate would remain so. A vise tightened around his heart. He had only himself to blame.

I had no connections with anyone outside of my family. My faith was so weak. Before, when I was with you, I wasn't like the way I am now.

Jenna's words reverberated through his head. Made his heart hurt more. What she said described him.

You were my catalyst for change. For finding Pastor Dan and his church. For falling in love with God. I can't believe I'm telling you this, but being dumped at the altar was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Dissatisfaction with his life, with everything, made Ash itch. He wanted what Jenna had found—unwavering faith and a place to belong. Was it too late to change?

Amber touched his shoulder, then hugged him, not the half-armed air hug she was famous for, but an honest-to-goodness not-letting-go hug like they'd shared when she was little. “Isn't today wonderful?”

He let go of her. “The best.”

“Thanks for your help.” She rose up on her tiptoes and
kissed his cheek. “I appreciate everything you've done, given what a mess I made of you and Jenna.”

“I would have lost her on my own. I just did.”

“Try, try again. ”

“What happened belongs in the past,” he said.

“No, it doesn't. You make a cute couple. That's why I've been trying to get you to spend more time together.”

“The dinner at the café and wedding site tour.”

“I was hoping for lunch after the bridal salon visit, but that didn't work out.” Amber beamed. “Still rather brilliant with shades of Jane Austen's Emma, don't you think?”

“You're not a matchmaker. Don't do it again.”

“You didn't seem to mind at the time.”

“I do now.” Jenna's present burned a hole in his pocket. She might not want it, but he needed to give her the box. Maybe she could see the gift as a thank-you, not a good-bye.

“Change your mind,” his sister suggested. “We'll figure out a plan.”

Amber was so young and in love. He was happy for her, but she didn't understand how complicated things were with Jenna. “Go find your husband. The two of you should be leaving soon.”

“I will, but I have to say something first. Since Jenna came back into your life, you've been the happiest I've ever seen you. I think there's a correlation between her and your good mood.”

“Maybe,” Ash said. “Or maybe not.”

Amber stuck out her tongue at him. “I'm trying to help. I still feel awful for what I did.”

“Don't. This is nobody's fault but mine. Jenna and I were in no position to make a marriage work two years ago. Not the way God intended.” He kissed Amber's forehead. “Go find Toby so you can start your honeymoon.”

She walked away. Her gown swooshed with each step. His little sister was a married woman, a wife.

Ash should get used to being a confirmed bachelor. The only woman he wanted didn't want him.

He saw Jenna standing on the other side of the room and joined her. “Toby was correct. You are the right photographer for this wedding.”

Jenna fiddled with her camera. “Thanks.”

Ash wanted so much more than her gratitude. He wanted a second—make that third—chance. “Jenna—”

“I'll e-mail a link when the proofs are ready.” Her tone was polite, measured. “Amber and Toby are getting ready to leave. I need to photograph their exit.”

Always the professional. Ash wouldn't stand in her way. “Go.”

What was he going to say, anyway?
I'm sorry? Forgive me again?
He hadn't a clue what to do. But maybe God would know. Ash closed his eyes, and for the first time in a long while he prayed, a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude for all he had, and a petition for what he didn't have. But he realized that wasn't right, and instead he prayed that God's will be done for him, for his family, and for Jenna.

The sun dipped below the horizon. White lights twinkled in the darkness, illuminating trees and the gazebo at the Sweetwater Country Club. Jenna stood off to the side where she had a panoramic view of the bride and groom's exit.

A lively song played over the speakers. Amber and Toby danced their way to a waiting limousine. Laughing guests blew bubbles at the happy couple.

Jenna captured the departure with more pictures than she could count. Her job was finished, and she couldn't be happier with the photographs she'd taken or more relieved to know she could finally go home. She'd negotiated a tightrope of emotions today. Each time she saw Ash she thought she might fall, but she hadn't.

Thank you, Lord.

In the hallway outside the ballroom, Jenna packed up her gear, everything from lighting to the photo booth props she'd set out during the reception.

Guests exited the ballroom with their favors—white boxes containing lavender-infused jam, lavender-infused honey, and a lavender satchel. All three items were made by Toby's mother, a woman who reminded Jenna of her own mom.

She wanted to hear a friendly voice, but with the three-hour time difference she'd have to wait until tomorrow. Maybe she could still catch Colton.

“Long day.”

Ash. The one voice Jenna didn't want to hear. Friendly, yes, but the sound made her nerve endings twitch. She placed the lens in its protective case. “Weddings usually are.”

“I see why your parents suggested eloping.”

Her fingers trembled. She tightened her grip on the lens case. She didn't want to look at him. “Makes sense for certain situations, but if every couple eloped I'd be out of a job.”

He handed her a small, square, gold box. “This is for you.”

“You're paying me. You didn't have to buy a gift too.”

“Open it.”

His firm tone surprised her. She lifted off the top, then removed a small piece of white padding. A silver charm—a frame similar to the ones she used with her photo booth props—was inside.

His thoughtfulness tugged at her heart. “So pretty. Thanks.”

“The back is engraved.”

She looked up at him, noticed his intense gaze. “You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble. I'm just doing my job.”

“I wanted you to have this.”

She flipped over the frame. Words were etched into the sides:
Jenna and Ashton
on the top,
June 22, 2013
, on the right side,
A Picture Perfect Love
on the bottom, and
1 Cor. 13:4–7
on the left side.

She reread the date. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. She tried again. “That was going to be our wedding date.”

“This was your wedding present.”

“You kept it?”

“Every time I thought about throwing away the box, I couldn't. I want you to have it. To see that even if I wasn't completely solid in my intentions, I did care two years ago. I still care about you.”

Air rushed out of her lungs. Nerve endings tingled. She prayed for strength.

“A picture perfect love says it all,” he continued. “That's what I thought we had the first time around, but I was wrong. The only perfect things are the photographs you take and hang on your studio walls, but whether the poses are orchestrated or candid, they aren't real. Real love can be messy. Mistakes are made. But no matter what, the love remains. As His does with us. Mine has with you.”