The Bridesmaid's Baby Read Online Free PDF Page A

question about the positioning of the wedding cake on the main table.
    Lucy had to admire the way Mattie seemed to float through it all. She was the most serene bride ever. Nothing bothered her or was too much trouble. Mattie had always been sweet and easy-going, but she’d never been as blissfully relaxed and happy and confident as she was today.
    It must be love, Lucy thought, and she wished it was contagious.
    Shortly after lunch, the excitement really began. Refrigerated boxes arrived from the florist, filled with truly gorgeous bouquets. Then it was time for the girls to put on their make-up, laughing as they took turns in front ofMattie’s bedroom mirror, the same mirror where years ago they had first experimented with mascara and eyeliner while they’d gossiped about boys.
    Back then, Lucy, being older and from the city, had been considered to be wiser and worldlier. The other girls had looked up to her with undisguised respect and considerable awe.
    How the tables had turned. Now Gina was married and a mother, and Mattie was about to marry Jake, while Lucy was…
    No! She wasn’t going to tolerate a single negative thought today.
    When they’d achieved their best with make-up, Gina and Lucy slipped into their bridesmaid’s dresses, which were simply divine. The palest pink duchess satin looked equally pretty on Gina with her dark hair and olive complexion as it did on Lucy, who was blonde and fair-skinned.
    Then it was time to fuss over Mattie, to fasten the dozens of tiny satin-covered buttons down her back, to help to secure her veil and then to gasp in sheer astonishment when they saw the completed picture of their best friend in her wedding gown.
    ‘You look absolutely breathtaking,’ Lucy whispered.
    Gina was emotional. ‘You’re so beautiful Jake’s going to cry when he sees you.’
    ‘Please don’t say that.’ Mattie laughed nervously. ‘You’ll make me cry.’
    ‘And me,’ moaned Lucy.
    Already, at the mere thought of an emotional bridegroom, she could feel mascara-threatening tears about to spill.
    Oh, help. Weddings were such poignant affairs. Andtoday Will was going to be there, looking dashing as the best man. How on earth was she going to get through the next few hours?
     
    Dressed in matching dark formal suits with silver ties and orange blossoms in their lapels, Jake, Will and Tom were ushered into the minuscule vestry and instructed to wait till it was time to take their places at the front of the church.
    Will anxiously patted a pocket in his suit jacket. ‘The rings are still safe.’
    Jake grinned and laid a reassuring hand on his friend’s shoulder. ‘That’s the third time you’ve checked the rings in the past five minutes. Relax, man, they’re not going to grow legs and run away.’
    ‘Jake’s the guy who’s supposed to be nervous,’ added Tom with a grin.
    Will nodded and tried to smile. ‘Sorry. Don’t know what’s got into me.’ He shot Jake a questioning glance. ‘Aren’t you even a little nervous?’
    ‘Why should I be nervous?’
    ‘You’re getting married.’ Will wished his voice wasn’t so hoarse. His sleepless night was really getting to him. ‘It’s par for the course for a bridegroom to have the jitters,’ he said.
    ‘But I’m marrying Mattie,’ Jake responded simply, as if that explained everything. And his glowing smile made it patently clear that he knew, without doubt, he was the luckiest man alive.
    Will wished he felt a fraction of his mate’s happiness.
    ‘So where are you heading for your honeymoon?’ he asked. ‘Or is that a state secret?’
    Jake grinned. ‘The exact location is a surprise forMattie, but I’ll tell you two.’ He lowered his voice. ‘I’m taking her to Italy. She’s never been overseas, so we’re going to Venice, Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast.’
    ‘Wow!’ Tom’s jaw dropped. ‘That’s so over the top it’s fabulous. You’ll have an amazing time.’
    Jake nodded happily but, before he could say