Page 45

Ava

W hen I wake up, Maverick is gone, which isn’t out of the norm.

The second that man was cleared to do light work, he was out of the house.

Having been in his shoes, I get it. The only entertainment he’s really had is hanging out with me and playing cards.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he lights the deck of cards I played with him on fire the minute he is fully cleared.

The knock that raps against our front door this early nearly startles me. Rolling over, I grab my phone off the charger and check the time—seven AM.

Who the hell is at my door at seven AM on my day off? Sliding into my slippers to keep my feet warm, I walk to the door and swing it open. And then pick my jaw up off the floor when I see who’s at the door.

“Erin, what the hell are you doing here?” My eyes feel like they are bugging out of my head.

Erin bounces on her toes, clearly excited to be here.

Her chestnut hair is tied up into a bun.

Glee fills her eyes, which makes me a little nervous.

She’s only this happy when she’s meddling or doing something she shouldn’t.

“Well, are you going to let me in? Aspen’s on her way, too.”

I step back from the door and let her in. Still trying to wrap my groggy brain around what is going on. “Okay, but why are you both here so early?” Not that I am not happy to see her, but this is really early for her. She’s more of the ‘rise when she decides she’s good and ready’ type.

“Well, I have something to tell you. And I hope I was right about it.”

Oh lord. “Okay…”

“Do you remember when that girl in college got married and you said the whole wedding planning thing seemed like way too much work and you would prefer to elope one day?”

My hackles go up immediately. “Yes. Planning a wedding was never something that sounded like a good time. What does that have to do with you being here?”

“What if I told you that you have the best husband ever, and he recruited everyone who loves you to plan you a surprise wedding…and it’s happening today?”

For the second time today, my jaw is on the floor. There is no way in hell that man planned a whole wedding by himself. “Am I being punked? Did Aspen put you up to this?” I did eat her yogurt at work last week so I can see her getting back at me with extreme measures.

“No punking happening here, friend. I promise,” she says as she makes a cross her heart motion with her hand. "You mentioned to him that a wedding would be nice, but that you wouldn’t want to plan it and he wanted you to have a special wedding.”

Tears fill my eyes because I didn’t think that he was really even listening to me when I was rambling on about that only a couple weeks ago.

“Please tell me those are happy tears and we didn’t shit the bed?

” She asks as she bites her teeth down in a bared smile with eyebrows high, trying to stay hopeful.

And I’d like to get some words out to tell her that this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me, but words aren’t working because I think I’m in shock .

I’ve had to do everything in my adult life alone.

There were no parents to help me through school, to help me buy a car, or pick out an apartment.

I was in charge of planning every detail.

At some point, that becomes exhausting, especially when things tend to go wrong time and time again.

Somehow, I managed to find a man who wants to take that load off me.

That little piece of me that is a terrified eighteen-year-old girl heals instantly.

I’m not alone and will never have to do anything alone ever again.

Blinking slowly, I mutter, “You’re not wrong. But how did you pick a dress?”

“Aspen drove down, and we went to a boutique. Between what we both know about you, we picked one we thought you would like. It’s simple and lace. And obviously it will make your tits look amazing.”

My head tilts back with laughter because of course that’s what she is worried about.

“So this whole thing is really planned?” Disbelief fills my tone because this seems too good to be true. A lot of things about my life recently feel that way.

“Yes. Your bouquet is made of your favorite flowers. The boys are getting the logistical side of things ready. The only thing you have to do is sit here, and let me make you pretty…er. You’re already pretty.”

“I really don’t have to do anything?” The concept of not being worried about something is incredibly foreign to me. A part of me feels a little bit stressed at the lack of control of the situation, but the larger part of me is relieved that I’ll still get to have my day and not even lift a finger.

A few minutes later, Aspen comes barreling in like a tornado, not bothering to knock. Her long brown hair is a mess, but she comes in with a garment bag in hand and stands in front of me .

“You already give her the spiel?” she asks as she goes to hang the dress on the closet door. Leaning over, she puts a hand on her knee and catches her breath.

“Yes. She was suspicious the second she opened the door and I’m a bad secret keeper,” she then looks to me, “I was supposed to wait to tell you with her, but in my defense she was running late.”

“Aspen, the garment bag would’ve given it away anyway.” I hitch a thumb to the white garment bag now hanging off the closet door.

Maybe putting these two in charge of me wasn’t the best idea. But I’m going to roll with it. Something new that I am trying out.

“Alright, I am ready to be pampered,” I say as I lean back into the futon.

“Okay, let me get my makeup and stuff from the car.” Erin gives me a wild smile that leaves me a little scared, but I laugh anyway.

A couple hours and a few mimosas later, the cabin resembles a beauty salon.

Josie and Cami show up and I feel like I haven’t stopped laughing in hours.

If you had told eighteen-year-old me that this is where life would lead me, I wouldn’t have believed you.

But it is my life. I have the best friends in the world, a new bonus family and the best husband in the world.

“Alright, there,” Aspen says, as she swipes the makeup brush across my cheek one last time. “You’re done. Let’s get you in the dress and then you can see yourself.”

It’s an-all-hands-on-deck situation trying to get the dress on. They make me keep my eyes closed the entire time, which makes it even harder, but eventually, they get me dressed and in front of the full-body mirror that Aspen brought over.

“Okay, on the count of three, open your eyes. One.. Two…Three..” I open my eyes and gasp.

I’m shocked as I look at myself in the mirror.

My blue eyes look piercing with the light pinks and brown shadowed across my lids.

My eyelashes have never looked as full as they do today.

My blonde hair cascades down my back in perfectly styled curls.

And my God. This dress. My hands run down the soft lace.

I couldn’t have picked anything better for myself if I tried.

It sits perfectly on my body. The sweetheart neckline swoops to show off my chest. And the bodice hugs me tightly until just past the hips and then flare out.

The waist cinches me in. I almost don’t recognize myself. Eyes bright and heart full.

“You look beautiful. Now let's get you to the field! It’s time.”

Maverick truly outdid himself. Our closest friends sit on hay bales covered by blankets.

The aisle is lined with small metal tins filled with wildflowers from the meadow.

And at the end of the aisle is an arch, draped with sage green and white linen.

The empty spots are packed with bright wildflowers.

Maverick has his head turned, talking to Jack. Who I am guessing will be officiating the wedding. The girls have kept me hidden so he can’t see me. They built privacy blocks out of wood pallets standing six feet tall. I take one last peek and then pop my head back.

Weston and Rhett stand at Maverick’s side. Dressed in blue jeans, a button-up shirt, and a suit jacket. How he managed to pull all of this together last second is completely mind-blowing.

Aspen steps out from behind the pallet wall and makes herself seen. She looks to her dad and gives him a nod, letting him know we’re ready .

I always thought that at this moment, I’d feel nervous.

Wondering if I was doing the right thing.

Be flooded with second thoughts, because overthinking and overanalyzing is pretty much a character trait for me, but none of that is happening.

As I watch my closest friends walk down the aisle, all I feel is peace.

When my turn finally comes, I stand at the end of the aisle, my eyes immediately meeting Mav’s.

His strong jaw is clean-shaven, and the bright white smile?

The one that’s only for me? It beams at me the second I catch his eye.

He’s cleaned up so well, always in blue jeans, but his buttoned-up shirt is covered with a sports coat and of course, topped with a perfect cowboy hat.

The walk down this aisle is the last time I will ever have to walk alone because now I’ll always have him by my side.

As I get closer, I see the tears that have gathered in his eyes, threatening to spill over.

The toughest, strongest man in the world, and the sight of me is what brings him to tears.

Never did I think being loved by someone would make me feel powerful and cherished, but that is how I feel here, standing with him at the altar.

Stepping up to the altar, Maverick meets me at the last line of seats. He encircles my hands with his and brings them to his lips for a quick peck before dropping one and walking to the altar. Rejoining both hands, we turn to Jack.