Page 49 of Final Approach (Lake City Heroes #4)

TWENTY-SIX

TWO AND A HALF MONTHS LATER NEW YEAR’S EVE

Kristine, Jesslyn, Lainie, and Steph stood around a glowing Kenzie and helped her get her bridal veil pinned to her upswept hair. Once it was finished, they stepped back, and Kristine swallowed a rush of tears at her friend’s beauty.

Kenzie’s ninety-eight-year-old Grandma Betsy sat in the plush wingback chair overseeing everything, her aged hands resting on the top of her cane. Tears sparkled in her eyes. “Darling, I don’t think I’ve seen a more stunning bride.”

Kenzie went to her grandmother and carefully knelt in front of the woman. “You did when you looked in the mirror all those years ago. Trust me. I saw your wedding pictures.”

Grandma Betsy laughed, a lovely, light chuckle that Kristine wanted to lean into. “I was sure a looker in those days.” She sighed. “I miss my George every day, but what a reunion it’s going to be in heaven one day. Probably pretty soon too.”

“Not too soon, please,” Kristine said. “We like having you here.” She hoped the woman would still be around for her wedding, because she just plain wanted her there. Betsy winked at her and Kristine leaned over to give her hand a gentle squeeze.

Kenzie rose, pulled in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “It’s about time, don’t you think?”

Kristine and the others gathered around her with Grandma Betsy in the middle. “Ready for a prayer?”

“Yes. Always.”

One by one, they each said a short but heartfelt prayer for Kenzie and Cole, and Kristine finished with, “Lord, you’re in the business of doing amazing work, and the fact that you brought Kenzie and Cole together proves you’re still in the miracle business as well.

” Everyone chuckled. “Seriously, we pray for this day when they pledge their love before you and friends and family. May they always keep their eyes on you, depending on you to lead them wherever you would have them be. And to always put the other before themselves. Hold them tight, and thank you for letting us be a part of their lives and this very special day. Amen.”

“Amen,” the others echoed.

They made their way to the sanctuary of the newly built Lake City Community Church.

It had been the target of an arson, but the church body had come together to rebuild and were now stronger than ever.

She followed the bridal party to the back of the church with Kenzie in the lead.

Kenzie’s father wheeled his wheelchair over to her and then stood.

Kenzie gasped. “Dad?”

“I’ve been working on this since your engagement. I can make it down the aisle without falling but will have to sit down after I hand you off.”

Kristine bit her lip on a smile. Leave it to Mr. King to use a football term.

Kenzie laughed and swiped a tear. “That’s perfect. The most wonderful wedding gift a girl could get.” Kenzie’s brothers gathered around her and gave her one last hug before lining up next to the bridesmaid they’d escort.

For a moment, Kristine grieved that her father wouldn’t walk her down the aisle.

That he wasn’t going to be a part of her life or her children’s lives.

That the legacy he left wasn’t honorable or good.

Then she lifted her chin. It might not be what she wanted, but she could use it to teach her children what not to do.

She and her husband would teach them to have integrity and be honorable, God-fearing, God-loving people.

If her father would repent and express remorse for his actions, she’d find a way to be a part of his life.

All she could do was work on forgiving him so she didn’t become bitter and filled with a hate that was never far away.

But that was a choice. And she was choosing to be free of him and his hold on her life.

Andrew stepped up beside her. He was a handsome man on any given day, but today he took her breath away. The good thing was, she had a very good idea of who the father of her children would be and wasn’t worried one bit about how they’d turn out.

He leaned over. “You’re stunning, Kristine Duncan. You take my breath away.”

She smirked. “Glad to know it’s mutual.”

He grinned and she took his arm. The music started, and when it was their turn, they headed down the aisle together side by side.

Cole stood at the altar, his eyes riveted on the back of the church, searching for the woman he loved.

Kristine smiled. The next time she walked down the aisle, she planned to be in a white dress with Andrew waiting for her.

The thought thrilled her, pushing away any sadness that might want to intrude with thoughts of her father.

At the front of the church, she took her place on the second step and turned.

The doors opened once more, and Kenzie, on her father’s arm, took the first steps toward a new life.

Thirty minutes later, they were downstairs in the large room for the reception, and Andrew pulled Kristine aside, tilted her chin, and kissed her.

She blinked up at him. “You know I never mind you kissing me, but what was that for?”

“I love you, Kristine. And I’m not just saying that because of where we are or that I’ve been swept up in all of the wedding excitement.

As we were going through this weekend with the bachelor party and all the wedding stuff, I kept watching Cole and he was so chill.

He was completely confident and excited for this day.

No doubts. No nerves. Just some impatience for the day to get here. ”

“Kenzie’s been the same.”

“And it made me think about everything that’s happened, that I could have so easily lost out on what’s important.

That I don’t want fear of getting hurt to rule me.

Right now everything is working out and that’s great.

Mom and Dad are happy, Corey’s heading into the witness protection program and going to testify against a really bad guy the FBI has been after for a long time, my brothers are doing great.

Life is good. I even checked on Tabitha Brown and her kids, and they’ve been adopted by their church community and everyone is thriving.

But I know that’s not a guarantee there won’t be hard times in the future.

Time isn’t guaranteed. All we have is what’s in front of us.

A limited amount of time on this earth. And I’m ready to spend it with you.

” He cleared his throat. “So, that’s where I am with how I feel about you.

No doubts. No nerves. Just impatience to tell you that I love you. ”

She swallowed back the tears that were surfacing, so touched by his honesty and vulnerability that she almost didn’t have room in her heart to feel it, but she didn’t hesitate in her response. “I love you too, Andrew. Everything you said, I feel the same.”

He nodded and blinked away the tears that had appeared for a brief moment. “Good. That’s really good.”

She grinned. “I’ll love you even more if you take me over to the dessert table.”

“They have cheesecake?”

“Five different kinds.”

“You’re going to try them all, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely. And so are you.”

He kissed her again. “Okay then, let’s go.”

Yep, he loved her. She gazed up at him. And she loved him. Right now, in this moment, all was right in her world and she sent up a prayer of gratitude to the one who made it all possible.