Page 69 of Salvation (Clover-Hills #1)

Blake

“ N ow, remember, Hun.” Ana takes my face in her hands. “It’s my son, but I’ll still kick his ass if you ask me to. And I’m afraid there’s no return policy on this one.”

I tip my head back and laugh at my soon-to-be mother-in-law. “Thanks, Ana.”

I turn back toward the large oval mirror before me and finally take in my appearance.

My blonde hair is pinned up in a beautiful bun, a few curls falling to frame my face, with a veil flowing over my back.

My stark white wedding dress starts with a sweetheart neckline, where it falls into a classic ball gown that allows me to live out my Cinderella-esque dreams. Lace, pearls, and diamonds are scattered all over the material in a beautiful pattern, and it’s so breathtakingly gorgeous that I can’t help the tears that spring to my eyes at the sight.

I’m marrying Wesley. Today.

This is it.

“You look beautiful.” Ana whispers from my side, taking in my look from the mirror as well.

“That, she does.” My mom’s voice flutters to us as she walks into the bridal suite, her smile wide as she meets my watery gaze in the mirror. “Our girl is all grown up.” She adds as she approaches, reaching out to take Ana’s hand. My heart squeezes at the sight.

The two have been blubbering messes since they found out about the proposal, and were more than happy to help plan the wedding. I wanted something small, but unsurprisingly, it ended up being the biggest event this town has ever seen.

It doesn’t matter if Wesley and I got married in a courthouse or in the prettiest view this town has to offer. What matters is that I get to marry him.

Soon, Vivienne, Harper, Whitney, and Elain are all piling into the room to get a look at me in my dress.

Whitney and Vivienne almost look like twins in the similar green bridesmaid gowns we picked out.

Elain’s wearing a darker shade of green, with a matching crown of flowers adoring her dark locks.

She’s my flower girl. I was more than shocked that she had agreed to it so easily, but I think Wesley may have bribed her with cash to even make that one possible.

“Are you ready?” Vivienne asks.

I smile. “Almost. I just need to do this one last thing.”

***

The one last thing required the girls to fetch Wesley for me and to find us a spot where I could give him his wedding gift without him seeing me.

We both stand back-to-back in a room with no one else around. I wanted privacy for this moment, but I don’t want us to see each other just yet. The minute the door clicks, signaling we’re alone, he doesn’t wait to tease me about requesting a last-minute audience before our wedding.

“Miss me so much that you couldn’t wait until the altar, Mrs. Conway?”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not a Conway just yet.”

He just lets out a breathy laugh in return, one that sounds like it’s full of pure excitement and nerves.

I can’t imagine I sound much different. We fall into a comfortable silence, so I use that as a moment to crane my arm around and hand him the small book I’ve been hiding the past few weeks.

This is something I’ve been dying to show him since I first sent it off to the editor.

My very first completed book.

“What is this?”

“My story. Our story.”

The idea of being a published author…it’s unfathomable. A dream. One I’ve been so excited to share with Wesley. It releases the day after we get back from our honeymoon. He doesn’t say anything for a few moments, but a small sniffle echo’s in the silence around us.

“Are you crying?” I blurt out in question. He only scoffs.

“No.” Another sniffle. “I think someone’s cutting onions.”

I reach back and grab the hand that’s dangling at his side. He squeezes it immediately and sighs in frustration. “I want to kiss you so bad right now.”

I laugh. “Catch me at the altar then, Conway.”