Page 79 of Saving His Heart

“Hey, hold up. You did not knock me out. You just got a couple of good shots in,” Trevor says defensively. “But I’m with Dex. We’ll both take our shot at you if it comes to that.”

“Good to know. Has anyone heard from Loki? This isn’t like him. He wouldn’t miss this.” I hate to be the wet blanket, but Ash hasn’t been able to reach him, and I’m worried. Judging by the looks exchanged, we’re all concerned.

“No, and Seth isn’t giving anything away. I agree, though, something big is happening because he wouldn’t miss this unless something was stopping him. Or someone—”

“Julia’s just about ready,” Emory says, thankfully cutting our conversation short. “She wants you two to go to the front, and Pres, you and Harper can come with me.”

Dex gives his daughter a quick kiss. “Be good for Uncle Preston.”

I watch as they walk toward the altar.

“Are you okay?” Ems asks.

“Yup, let’s make this a wedding no one will ever forget.”

She nods but doesn’t answer. Instead, she blinks rapidly as I take her hand and guide her toward the guesthouse where Julia waits.

* * *

I feelconfident that the chaos that follows our group around is not normal behavior, especially for a wedding. GG is in the front row, shushing everyone, and we’re in the back with a gaggle of children who want to be anywhere but here.

“Uncle Preston, we have a problem.”

Turning, I find Tate standing with his hands on his hips and a severe expression on his face. He looks just like Dexter.Would my son have looked like me?

I try not to laugh, but he looks like he is about to school a boardroom full of toddlers in his little suit. “What’s up, buddy?”

He adjusts his hair, then frowns. He really is Dexter’s boy. This time I do chuckle.

“Well, have you seen what my charges are doing?”

“Your charges?”

“Yeah, that’s what Nannie Sylvie calls them.”

“You mean your siblings?”This kid.

“Yes,” he says, exasperated. “How am I supposed to get them all down the aisle? Charlie won’t even keep his pants on. He peed on the roses like a dog. He peed, Uncle Preston,peed. In public.”

Placing a hand on his shoulder, I get him to look at me. “It’s going to be just fine, okay, buddy? I promise. I’m going to rock this flowerman role with the girls, so all you have to do is pull the boys down in the wagon. We’ve got this.” I give him a fist bump like Lanie always does, and I see him relax.She was the best thing that ever happened to this kid.

“Yup, okay. We’ve— Oh, no.”

I follow Tate’s finger and see that Charlie has become a handful. Glancing back at Tate, I see the poor kid pale.

“I-I have to get him in the wagon?”

“Er, you know what, buddy? Change of plans. Let’s go get Emory to carry him. She can hand him off to GG at the end if she needs to.”

“Oh, thank goodness. That’s a great idea. Let’s go tell her. Oh, I almost forgot. Here, this is for you. Keep it in your pocket. Love you, Uncle Pres.” He hands me a blue playing card and trots off to find Emory.

Turning it over, I see it’s a king of hearts. “Keep it in your pocket,” Tate yells again, pointing to my jacket.

Confused and running out of time, I do as he asks, then I follow the crew to line up.

“Tate’s taking his job very seriously, huh?” Emory whispers as we watch him walk down the aisle, pulling a little red wagon with his baby brothers strapped in and holding onto the ring pillow.

“Best ring bearer I’ve ever seen.”