Page 138 of By Invitation Only

I lead Peyton to a bench closest to one of the sides of the arbour, kissed her goodbye and then started to walk back to get my ex-wife. People passed me as they made their way through the sand, and once I was on cement again, I emptied my shoes. There was no way I would be able to walk ten feet with the amount of sand that was in my shoes.Apparently, my fiancée was right.

As I entered the hotel, my parents were walking out. “Peyton saved you a seat,” I told them.

“This is going to be a beautiful wedding,” Mum gushed. “It’s about time I see California in the summer.”

“Yeah, Mum. You’ll have the perfect view of the ocean,” I agreed.

“Go get Carrie, son. We’ll find Peyton,” Dad said, and then he and my mum walked the opposite way.

I found the room Carrie was getting ready in, knocked and waited. The door opened and Amelia stood, grinning at me.

“Can you believe our girl’s getting married?”

“Not the first time,” I joked.

Amelia slapped my arm. “The first one to count.”

“True,” I agreed, and my eyes found Carrie in her white dress. Her blonde hair was pulled up into one of those twist things, and her gown was lovely. She looked like a princess.

“Why didn’t you look this good when we got married?”

Her blue eyes lifted and she glared. “Because you made me get married at the courthouse.”

“You made me marry you.”

“Will you two stop?” Amelia cut in.

“We’re only joking around,love.”

“Don’t love me. I know you only say it to be rude.”

I lifted a shoulder. “And?”

“Do you want to babysit my children? I can make that happen.”

“You wouldn’t,” I protested.

“I’m sure I can talk Peyton into it.”

“All right, I’ll play nice.”

“Good. Now take our girl’s hand and give her away once and for all.”

“With pleasure.” I stuck out my hand for Carrie to take it. “Come on, sweetheart. It’s time to make an honest woman out of you.”