Hart’s Landing Bonus Scene

I’ve always thought McKean Cherries is one of the most beautiful places on earth, but it has never looked more lovely to me than it does today.

My wedding day.

I stand at my studio window with a cup of coffee, watching as the back yard is transformed. Against the backdrop of the sprawling orchard, a rustic arch stands adorned with greenery and flowers in shades of peach, ivory, and terra cotta. Rows of wooden chairs are set up on either side of an aisle lined with pillar candles housed in glass cylinders. Apple barrels serve as table bases with wooden rounds on top, where people will sip cocktails before the ceremony begins, and again afterward, when I am Mrs. Everett McKean.

Smiling, I take another sip of coffee. I can hardly believe it.

My eyes drift to the sycamore tree I once climbed with Gabi, and I recall the day Everett caught me as I fell. How I wish I could go back in time and tell that gangly, insecure girl not to worry—because she was going to leave this place one day, but she’d find her way back. And Everett would be here waiting for her.

To catch her when she falls.

Two knocks sound at the bedroom door. “Yes?” I call warily. I’ve already told Everett he’s not allowed at the house today. He spent last night in the cabin, which he grumbled about, but only because he hates sleeping apart.

“Just me.” The door opens, and Gabi pokes her head in. She grins. “But I caught my brother downstairs on the porch.”

I gasp. “That rascal!”

“He claimed he just wanted a cup of coffee, so I poured him one to go and told him to scram.”

“Thanks.” I glance out the window again and see my future husband chatting with one of the guys setting up the tables. Our yellow lab, Merlin, trots around the yard, tail wagging with excitement.

My body warms at the sight of Everett, at the knowledge that tonight we’ll be back in this house together, each of us wearing gold bands to symbolize our enduring commitment and our promise to choose each other every day, from this day forward.

Gabi joins me at the window. “How are you feeling?”

“Honestly? I’m on cloud nine.”

She laughs. “You’re glowing.”

“Must be that Korean face mask I did earlier this morning.” I pat my cheek.

“Um, I think it’s happiness,” she says, putting her arm around me and giving me a squeeze. She tips her head onto my shoulder. “I’m happy, too.”

I rest my head on hers and think how incredible it is that after being friends for so long, we’re actually going to be sisters now. “Did you bring your dress?” I ask.

“Not yet. I’ll bring it over in a little bit. I just wanted to check on you, see if you needed anything.” She nods toward the yard. “Looks like it’s all coming together.”

“So far, so good. Did you see the floral headpieces downstairs?”

“I did, and they’re gorgeous. They look just like the sketch you did.”

I smile, proud of the flower crowns I designed for my bridesmaids and me. “I can’t wait to see them on my girls.”

Everything about this day was so different from my first, ill-fated wedding. I was able to keep my mother at arm’s length, and make my own choices about everything from the venue to the music to the flowers to my dress—a dream in ivory lace with a deep V neckline, a low back, and a small train that sweeps the ground behind me as I walk.

“But it will get so dirty,” my mother clucked. “If you’re going to get married next to a barn, why bother with a long dress?”

I stopped sharing details with her after that.

Gabi glances at my gown, hanging from a hook on the open closet door. Her body shivers. “God, I just got the chills! You’re going to be such a beautiful bride, Mila. This whole day is going to be perfect. No one deserves it more.”

“Thank you. Even Mother Nature cooperated. I was a little worried that August might be too hot, but I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.”

“And it looks like those storm clouds will stay south of us.” She knocks on the wooden windowsill.

“Speaking of storm clouds…” I take another glug of caffeine. “I suppose I should call my mother. I’ve been dodging her calls the last couple days.”

“You’re entitled,” Gabi says loyally. “I’ll head out so you can have a few moments of calm before the chaos.” She hugs me tightly. “Love you to pieces, bestie. I cannot wait to see you walk down that aisle today. Fair warning, I’m going to bawl my eyes out. We all are.”

“I deserve it. I cry at everything.”

She lets me go and heads for the door, where she turns and blows me a kiss. “My brother better know how lucky he is.”

I smile. “I’m lucky, too.”

###

“You ready, Mila?” Yasmine, acting as unofficial wedding planner, appears in the doorway.

“I think so.” I take one last look out the window, where guests have taken their seats in anticipation of the ceremony. My nerves, which have been so steady, start to jangle. I place a hand on my belly and turn toward the cheval mirror one last time.

“You look like an angel,” Yasmine says, coming up behind me with a smile. She fusses with my hair, which hangs in loose waves down my back. On top of my head is a crown of flowers to match the bouquet of apricot roses, blush dahlias, eucalyptus, and bunny tail grass I’m carrying. Pearl drop earrings dangle from my ears, a gift from my bridesmaids. And around my neck is a gold chain with a ladybug charm.

I touch it now with manicured fingertips and feel bathed in love, light, and peace. Surrounded by the best friends anyone could ask for, standing on the solid oak floors of the home Everett and I have made our own, I feel ready to step into this next phase of my life.

I meet the eyes of each of the women surrounding me. “I love you,” I tell them. “Thanks for always being here for me—then, now, and forever.”

They murmur their love in return, and Gabi sniffs. “Stop it. I can’t cry yet.”

Laughing, I turn to face them. “Let’s get this emotional part done, so we can have some fun.”

###

I’m the last to descend the stairs, and Gabi holds my flowers for me so I can lift the train of my dress with one hand and hang onto the banister with the other. When we reach the bottom, she accompanies me to the kitchen.

Standing near the door to the back porch is the person I asked to walk me down the aisle, and his eyes grow wide as I enter the room.

“Wow,” Stevie says. His Adam’s apple bobs. “You look amazing.”

I smile. “Thank you. And thanks for doing this for your old babysitter.”

“It’s an honor.” His voice cracks, and he clears his throat. “Thanks for asking me.”

Yasmine’s voice comes through the screen door from the porch. “Okay, the guys are in place, and the mothers have been seated. You good, Mila?”

“Yes.” I take my bouquet from Gabi, whose eyes are already wet.

Stevie opens the back door for us, and I follow my friends onto the porch. My eyes immediately find Everett standing next to the arch, and my breath catches. He looks gorgeous in his light brown linen suit—scruff neatly groomed, hair freshly cut, hands folded in front of him. His face is tan from a summer spent working out in the sun, his bronzed skin set off by his white dress shirt. When he sees me, his jaw goes a little slack.

I hear the opening notes of “What a Wonderful World,” the perfect song to capture what Everett and I have found together, in each other.

“That’s our cue,” says Yasmine, giving me one final smile. “Here we go.”

One by one, I watch my friends go down the steps and walk between the rows of chairs toward the wooden arch, where Everett waits, his groomsmen behind him—except for Ripley, who got ordained for the occasion so he could marry us.

When it’s time, Stevie offers me his arm and helps me off the porch. We glide to the foot of the aisle and pause to exchange a smile. The guests rise from their chairs.

As we start to walk, it hits me that these are the most meaningful steps of my life so far. I’m only traversing couple dozen feet of ground, but I feel like I’m leaving an older version of myself behind for good. Walking toward a new life free and clear, unencumbered by any baggage from my past. The sunlight warms my skin, and the breeze ruffles my hair. I hardly feel the ground beneath my feet.

Everett and I lock eyes. He smiles as I close the gap between us. When I reach him, I see the tears he’s holding back. He swallows hard and says, “My god, you’re beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I hand my bouquet to Gabi and face my groom again.

Ripley grins at us. “You guys ready to tie this knot?”

“I’ve been ready,” Everett answers.

And he takes my hands.

###

Later, the storm clouds roll in, thunder growling in the distance.

I don’t even care.

Dinner is over, and most of the older guests have already said their goodbyes—including my mother, who was blissfully if petulantly silent all day. Now, it’s just Everett and me and our friends left on the dance floor. The sun hasn’t quite set, and the temperature is still high. My husband has ditched his coat and tie and rolled up his sleeves, and his hair is a lot messier than when this whole thing got started.

But every time I look at him, I fall more in love.

“God, it’s hot,” he says, wiping his shiny forehead with the back of his arm.

“It is.” I fan my face. “I could use a cold drink.”

He takes my arm and leads me over to the bar area. “What would you like?”

“Water’s fine.”

He reaches into the cooler and pulls out a bottle of water and a beer. He hands me the water, which I uncap and practically pour down my throat. Everett holds the chilled beer bottle to his temple for a moment before popping the cap and tipping it back. A huge gust of wind sweeps through the tent, and I close my eyes. “That feels good.”

A moment later, the skies open up, and rain drums on the tent roof. It comes down in sheets, drenching the cocktail tables and chairs still on the lawn, even as the sun still glows near the horizon.

“You know what else would feel good?” Everett says. “A nice cold shower.”

We look at each other. “You want to?”

“When you ask me that question, the answer is always going to be yes, Mrs. McKean.” Everett gives me a crooked grin. “Do you want to?”

I grin back. “For the rest of my life.”

He takes my hand and we stumble from the tent, tipping our faces to the sky. The rain is cool on our skin, soaking us in seconds. I squeal with delight as Everett lets out a roar of relief. Our friends notice what we’ve done and join us in the downpour as the DJ spins “For Once in My Life” by Stevie Wonder. A rainbow appears in the east.

I kick off my shoes, overjoyed to feel the wet grass beneath my feet. In fact, that’s exactly what I am at this moment—overjoyed. Spoiled by the abundance of it. Unable to contain it all. As Everett pulls me into his arms and starts to dance, I can feel happiness leaping off my skin, pouring from my laughter, spilling from my heart.

These people. This place. This man. This love.

Our story.