Page 49

Jack

Two days later

The bay is shrouded in a smooth, gray mist, and I sit on my swing alone, sipping coffee and watching the pelicans glide low over the water.

Kimmie spent the night at Allie’s last night, and Austin is here with me.

My arms ache to hold my bride, but my stomach is tight with anticipation. Pulling out my phone, I send her a quick text.

I’m glad we planned a morning wedding. How long do we have to stay at the reception?

Wife

A few hours at least.

A few?

Wife

We should at least stay for two. Clint worked so hard, and everyone will be there.

I’ll be counting the seconds til I have you alone in Miss Gina’s cottage.

Wife

I’ll be counting the seconds til I say I do.

I’ve already said it one hundred times in my heart.

Wife

Now I’m crying.

Dry your eyes, beautiful. I’ll be the one down front waiting to kiss you.

Smiling at my phone, I tuck the device into my pocket and lean back to sip my coffee.

We decided to postpone our honeymoon trip until Austin leaves for college. My wife doesn’t want to miss any time with her son, and I don’t mind taking the pressure off.

Everyone has offered to help us with Kimmie, but I don’t want my little peanut to feel like her life is changing or I’ve forgotten her—not that it seems possible.

Kimmie has never had a problem inserting herself into situations, especially when it concerns her family.

The door opens, and I hear shuffling in the kitchen. Austin digs in the refrigerator, taking out a neon-green Mountain Dew before walking out to the back porch.

“Nervous?” He squints an eye at me, and I grin.

His hair is a snarled mess on his head, and he’s only wearing jogging pants. He’s a big kid, right on the verge of being a man, but in this moment, he still seems like that middle schooler so determined to be on my team.

“Not a bit.” I push to standing. “I’m ready to make you two official Bradfords.”

He smiles, taking a sip of his drink. “Me too.”

A breeze drifts from the water, and it’s still early enough in June to be cool in the morning. I look over the crowd of people we know and love so well. Craig escorts Thomas and his wife to the row we’ve reserved for family.

He’s followed by Edward walking Miss Gina. They repeat the process for Aunt Thelma and Liv’s mom, and Gloria and Sandra sit behind them in reserved seats.

Buddy and the boys from the team are scattered throughout the crowd, and I even see Levi and a very pregnant Sadie sitting with her cousins Oliver and Salina.

After the Christmas blow-up, George moved back to Florida and Levi moved into our old family home with Logan and Dylan. Now that high school is over, he started working with Garrett, and the two of them have a little apartment outside of town.

Sadie’s talking about getting her teaching degree online, and she has family here. Maybe they’ll be okay.

A familiar classical song begins, and I turn my attention to my siblings, stepping out to walk down the aisle like we’ve done so many times in recent years.

The guys are all in gray suits, and the girls are in knee-length, ocean-blue dresses with different style tops, strapless, one-shoulder, or skinny straps.

Zane and Rachel are first, followed by Garrett and Liv. They part with a kiss in the middle before going to each side of the flowered arch.

Hendrix gives me a wink as he walks Raven down the aisle, and Logan holds Dylan’s waist as she carries their newborn son on her chest, eliciting coos from the ladies sitting on the aisles.

Clint hangs back doing his best to guide Gina and Haddy as they make their way to the front, dropping petals for the bride. I frown when I don’t see my daughter with them, wondering what might have happened .

Liv’s mom helps Clint guide them to the side, and we almost lose Gina when she spots a lady walking a dog along the wide path leading to the park. A soft laugh ripples through the group, but we all grow serious when the music changes.

The bridal march begins, and everyone stands. I’m in the center of the aisle, so I can see when Austin steps from behind the last row of guests with his mother on his arm.

My throat tightens, and I fight to swallow when she steps out like a dream in sand-colored chiffon. Her hand is in the crook of Austin’s arm, and Kimmie is at her side, holding her hand.

I place my palm over the ache in my stomach as my eyes drink in the sight of the three most important people in a crowd of very important people.

Allie’s red lips break into a big, beautiful smile, despite the tears on her cheeks. I can’t take my eyes off her face, her pretty brown hair swept up in a neat twist and those glasses perched on her nose.

It’s only a few paces until we’re together. Kimmie puts her little hand in mine, guiding it to Allie’s, and I reach down to give her a squeeze. Rachel holds out a hand, and my daughter goes to stand by her aunt.

Pastor Rick from Thomas’s church steps up to ask, “Who gives this woman to this man?”

“I do,” Austin says with confidence, smiling at me.

Stepping forward, I pull him into a hug, doing my best to blink away the mist in my own eyes.

“Thanks, buddy,” I whisper in his ear.

He nods, sniffing sharply and wiping a hand over his nose. He steps over beside Zane, who gives him a pat on the back.

Allie’s hands are in mine, and her pretty blue eyes are clear and sparkling when she looks up at me. I want to cup her cheeks in my hands and kiss her, but I know we have to say our vows.

The pastor leads us through the traditional promises to love, honor, and protect as long as we both shall live, and it’s like I’m hearing the words fresh, for the first time. I say them with all my heart.

When we’re done, and it’s time to exchange rings, I watch as she slides the gold band onto my third finger.

“With this ring, I thee wed.” I love the sound of her voice, so clear and confident.

I hold her hand in mine, studying the delicate gold band as I slide it onto her finger. It fits perfectly beside my mother’s engagement ring.

“You’ve woven yourself into my soul,” I quietly speak, almost as if I’m telling her a secret. “I live to collect your sighs. It’s finally time to come home, my love, my wife.”

When I lift my eyes, hers are wide with surprise. “It was you!” She steps forward, grasping the front of my coat. “You wrote the poems.”

Lifting my hand, I slide a tendril off her cheek. “I wrote them for you.”

“You may now kiss the bride.” The pastor leans in, grinning. “I figured I’d better say it before you did it without me.”

We both huff a laugh, and I lean down to seal my lips over hers. I pull her lips, giving her the briefest taste for propriety. Then we turn to face the crowd as we’re pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bradford.

The small group breaks into applause and cheers, and the music changes to the wedding march. Allie’s hand is in my arm, and Kimmie skips over to hold Austin’s hand as we lead the wedding party out.

Joy burns strong in my chest. It’s an emotion I’ve gotten to know well in these last nine months. When we pass the last row, I pull Allie to the side, looking down into her beautiful face.

“This is the best day of my life.” I slide my thumbs over her cheeks, smoothing the fresh tears away. “I don’t remember a time I’ve been this happy.”

“Oh, Jack.” She blinks up at me, reaching for my cheeks. “ I’ve loved you for so long, I didn’t think I could love you more. I was wrong.”

I kiss her again, barely holding back from devouring her. When I lift my head, I see the heat in her eyes as well.

“One hour.” I lead her to the waiting limo.

Cooters & Shooters is closed for our wedding reception, but with all the people we know, it might as well be open.

Craig is playing his usual mix of songs, and everyone is dancing and drinking champagne. Clint arranged for a buffet-style catered lunch, but I’m not hungry.

Allie is in my arms, and all I want to do is take her away, strip that gown off her body, and cover her in kisses. Her hands are on my shoulders, and she gazes up at me in a way that makes me feel like the only man on Earth.

The song ends, and we drift over to where my siblings are gathered around Dylan and the baby. Rachel is at her shoulder, tracing her finger along his dark hairline.

“The doctor said you set a record for first-timers—thirty-five minutes!” Liv is wrapped in Garrett’s arms.

Dylan looks up from where she hasn’t stopped gazing at her tiny son. “I confess, I was sneaking hot peppers all day before the bachelorette.”

“She smoked him out.” Logan stands over both of them, gazing down like he won the Big Game all over again.

“I just can’t believe you named him after Top Gun ,” Garrett groans.

“I like it!” Raven pushes back. “Maverick Murphy sounds like a star!”

“A legendary wide receiver.” Logan lifts his chin, grinning proudly.

“A legendary golfer!” Dylan corrects him.

Austin and Edward walk up to where we’re standing, and I notice Kimmie following them. Her arms are crossed, and a pouty expression is on her face.

“You won the poetry contest by a long shot.” Edward frowns, looking up at me. “Why didn’t you claim them? It’s unexpected, like William Carlos Williams.”

“My brother, the poet.” Garrett stands, looping an arm around my shoulders. “Who knew?”

I shrug. “I just started playing around with words when I was alone, after I’d put Kimmie to bed.”

“That’s so sweet.” Dylan tilts her head, smiling up at me. “It’s a little sad, but I love it.”

“I love them so much.” Allie slides her hand into my arm.

I look into her pretty face. “They were dreams of you.”

“Damn, Jack.” Liv laughs, pushing my arm. “Who knew you were such a romantic?”

“Speaking of dreams…” Garrett’s voice has an edge. “Here comes a nightmare.”

I look over my shoulder to see what he’s frowning at, and at the sight of the woman standing in the doorway, the tone of the group changes.

Zane steps up beside me, his voice low. “What the hell is she doing here?”

“What’s happening?” Dylan looks around. “Oh.”