Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
“It’s a surprise.” He winked at her. “Your bridal gift from your groom. I’ll see you shortly. Don’t tarry too long.” Before she could respond, Phoenix vanished.
A few of her bridesmaids rushed over to surround her to share her joy. “Well, open it!” her friend Dianne stated, followed by several folks laughing as they entered the shed, locking the door behind them. The entire nosy bunch of them. Poet placed the gift on a table on which sat a number of empty wine glasses. She took a deep breath, then began gently peeling the paper away from the present. Once it was revealed, the tears poured…
She felt arms around her, hugs and kisses as the sweet-smelling ladies that she adored turned into a human shawl, giving her love, as well as commenting about how beautiful it was—a stunning work of art.
Kage had hand-sketched an amazing portrait of her in black pencil. She was depicted standing in a forest, feeding a bobcat on her right and a basket of fruits and vegetables to the left. Around her neck hung a necklace that she wore from time to time that her mother had left for her and on her ears, her favorite earrings from Aunt Huni. The river was directly behind her. Kage’s name was written at the bottom of the drawing.
“This is gorgeous, girl! He must’ve spent weeks drawin’ this,” one of her friends said as they gathered closer to see it. “I didn’t know Kage was an artist. Wow!”
“He did this by hand? This wasn’t computer generated?” Her friend Arlene questioned, suspiciousness in her gaze and tone.
“…He hates computer generated art,” she managed despite her overwhelm. “Kage does all of his illustrations by hand.”
“Looks just like you… look at all that detail!” Simone added. People continued to admire the work, and then Aunt Huni entered the shed. Everyone began to fawn over the lady.
“Ohhh, Aunt Huni! You look beautiful!”
The woman had wanted to prepare a special dish for the reception, so she left from the farmhouse later than Poet and was brought over in the limo. There she stood in a long, satin purple dress. Her hair was pinned into a lovely updo, and her makeup was soft, and understated.
“I look nice, huh?” The woman nodded, fishing for more compliments. People laughed and agreed with her. After a minute or two, she cleared her throat and said that they all needed to come outside, including Poet. She mentioned that a handsome man named Roman told her that the coordinator asked him to let the ladies know to be on standby.
Just then, Coldplay’s, ‘The Scientist’ began to play. Her sign to batten down the hatches, and go get her man…
Minutes later, she waited by the back of the shed as one by one, the bridesmaids disappeared with one of Kage’s cousins down the cream runner covered in wildflowers. She was given strict instructions to not show her face, or come from behind the shed until given the signal. She listened to Pastor Clarke, Aunt Huni’s church minister, speak. The middle-aged man made some quips here and there, and then more music began to play.
Her nerves gathered and dug at each other, causing heat to crawl up the back of her neck at the realization that this was really happening. This was a day she’d planned with Kage for months, though there were some aspects she wasn’t privy to. She hated surprises, and he knew that, but Kage had insisted on a couple unknown ‘occurrences’ for their special day. Clutching her bouquet, a mixture of white and lilac hydrangeas, peonies, roses and sweet peas, she closed her eyes, pushing the expectant tears back as ‘Let Her Go,’ by Passenger, started to play. She moved slowly from behind the shed, and was met with the sight of people standing, their eyes glued on her. The videographer spun around and captured her with his camera. She blinked several times. So many people… so many smiles…
Pastor Clarke, Kage, and all of his groomsmen seemed so far away.
She took a step, then another, until she managed fluid, natural movements. She paused and removed one of the flowers from her bouquet, then tossed it in the air and let it land on the runner.
“…That flower is for Poet’s mother, Dominique, thanking her for the ultimate sacrifice…” Pastor Clarke announced. She plucked another one and did the same. “…That flower is for Poet’s father, Mitchell, thanking him for giving her life… That flower is for Kage’s father, Kane, thanking him for giving him life…”
The music continued on, and then, when she was right in the middle of the aisle, she paused once more. People looked at her, some appearing confused at her sudden halt. Kage towered over everyone like a beacon of light and strength, dressed in a cream suit with a green tie, and his fingers covered in jewels. On his feet were a pair of cream and green Preston Leather and Jacquard wingtip dress shoes. His lush beard and sideburns were perfectly tapered. His hair was shaved low on one side, and parted to perfection. A swoop of long blond and silver hair hung over his face, partially covering his right eye.