December 15th, cantata night, began illuminated by a sunset that hung long and low over the horizon, staining the sky the exact golden red of Kristina"s hair. Cody could still feel the soft strands of her burnished mane sliding through his fingers.
Five days until the wedding, and he felt properly enamored. His brain, muddled to mush by the thoughts of his entrancing bride, kept spewing out the most maudlin thoughts at random moments, distracting him from everyday life. This usually earned him a knowing smirk from whoever happened to catch him daydreaming.
The distraction was growing worse too, with every passing day. This morning the sermon had been somewhat less than stellar, and his eyes refused to stay on his notes, drawn continuously as they were to the balcony.
In the end, he"d ma
