Page 9 of Wildest Forever (Lovelock Bay #3)

CHAPTER FIVE

MORGAN

S tanding at the bottom of the makeshift aisle with a few seats scattered either side, I cast my eyes over the large tree trunks placed as an edging, dressed in foliage and topped with pretty wildflowers.

Battery powered fairy lights are entwined through and a matching set wrapped around a metal framed arch.

This is not what I had once pictured when I dreamt of getting married, but as I got older, the dream of a marriage soon diminished into nothing.

I never wanted kids.

Never wanted a marriage.

Yet here I am, about to walk down the aisle for my pops’ last dying wish.

Talk about guilt tripped, jeez.

I glance over at him, his cheeks all rosy, thick gray hair combed over on a side parting, and he has never looked more handsome than he does now, and damn, I can see the pride shining out of him like rays of sunshine.

Inhaling heavily, I glance down at where I would normally see my tanned cowboy boots before my eyes lock on the man who I am set to marry.

Ivory sheer bows tie over each of my shoulders, the dress fits down to my waist, then moulding into a soft tulle skirt that flows down to the ground. My blonde hair is half up, half down and finished with a pretty diamanté clip, the rest is down in soft curls that tease the skin on my open back.

“You ready sweet girl?” my pops asks me, his chin lifting as he stands a little taller and inhales deeply.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I whisper just as soft sounds of In Your Love – Tyler Childers begins to fill the meadow of our ranch and that's when the Rivera family stand. Dusty and his family are the only ones on our side.

They are all we have.

My heart twists in my chest as I take my first step, slowly walking to seal my fate.

Pacey isn't hard on the eyes, in fact, he is real easy.

He has never had a serious relationship from what I have heard. The town sheriff and golden boy of Lovelock Bay... but is he really the ray of sunshine everyone thinks he is?

He stands tall, shoulders rolled back and dressed in an off white suit with a white shirt and matching bow tie. Hair tousled back, stubble shadows his jaw and chin with a hint of thicker stubble coating his upper lip.

I wanted formal with a hint of rustic; he was happy to agree with whatever just to get me down the aisle before my grandad left this earthly plane.

His eyes swept over me and never did I think that three months after meeting him at his brother’s wedding, would I be walking down the aisle to marry him.

Difference was, there were no feelings attached to this marriage.

It was a business deal.

There was no time limit though, this was it.

I mean, sure we could get divorced once my pops passes over but at the same time, Pacey would still be on the deeds.

I needed him. I needed him to help me keep this land, to keep this ranch.

Blood sweat and tears went into this, and I would never forgive myself if I let someone take it from me.

From us.

We planned to bury my pops down the bottom of the meadow, tucking him under the large apple tree that he planted with my grandmother Marjorie when they first moved here. I don't remember her though. She died when I was four so when I say it's been just us two, it really has.

Just the two of us.

Now I had to not only learn what it was like to live without him, but in fact have him replaced by someone new.

He would never fill the gaping wound my pops would leave, but he could help try and pull me back together again, even if for a short while.

We begin to walk, and I let my eyes focus on Pacey.

His dark blond hair looks like it has slightly golden tips in the light, it's pushed away from his face and his whiskey eyes are locked with mine.

High cheek bones, strong jaw, full cupid bow lips.

Hot.

He was.

I felt attracted to him the first time I met him at Riggs and Aspen's wedding, then again when I saw him a couple of weeks back at Randy's.

There was something about that man that made me gravitate towards him, but I had to remember why we were doing this.

I have no idea on his type, no idea if he even finds me attractive, but still, we were diving into the depths of the ocean headfirst with no life ring.

Just me and him.

Floating and trying to make our way back to shore.

My pops lifts my hand to his mouth as he kisses it delicately before his lips are on my cheek and I ignore the silent tear that rolls down where his lips just were.

“I love you, Morgan,” he whispers then places my hand into Pacey's but he doesn't let go straight away.“You promise me, Rivera...” my pops pauses, “you promise you're going to look after her,” and I watch as Pacey nods, his face not wavering, there wasn't a moment of hesitation that left that man.

“Don't let me down,” my pops chokes as he finally lets me go and I move to stand in front of my husband-to-be.

“You look beautiful,” he whispers, and I give him a coy smile.

I know he is just saying it because he feels like he has to say it, but it still felt nice hearing those words.

I have never been called beautiful before.

Never even been kissed.

My throat bobs.

“Thank you,” I manage to croak just as the officiator begins speaking.

“Dearly beloved, we're gathered here today to witness the marriage between Pacey Jorge Rivera and Morgan Palma Wheeler...” and the rest I block out until those famous words leave his mouth.

“You may now kiss the bride,” and I freeze, my eyes widening slightly and Pacey senses it in an instant.

He leans in and kisses me softly on the cheek before his fingers lace with mine as we turn and face forward. Dusty is clapping and whistling through his teeth, but the Rivera lot? All faces like thunder, except from Orla.

She is smiling, her cheeks damp from tears but I am unsure whether they're happy or sad or maybe a mix of both.

Sucking in a deep breath, I squeeze Pacey's hand as he leads me back down the aisle and into the converted barn where tables are set out back under the rotten wooded frame, fairy lights wrapped around with the matching foliage and flowers entwined down the middle.

He stops just as we break through the back and turns to look at me, his hand cupping my face, so I have no other choice but to face him.

“You okay?” he asks, the cool metal of his gold wedding band on my flushed cheek.

“I think so,” I whisper, because if I speak too loud he will hear the crack in my voice, he will hear that I am lying and that's not the best way to start a marriage.

“We've got this, a few more hours to get through and life will go back to how we know it.”

I let out a soft laugh as I look out across our land, the dusting of stars twinkling between the mountains.

“I don't think life will ever return to how we knew it.”

The evening soon settles in, the air is warm and sweet, the fireflies are hovering and blend with the fairy lights and light chatter floats over the rustic wooden table.

“Do you think your family are angry?” I find myself asking as I sip on the glass of champagne.

He looks at me then casts his eyes down to where his family sit.

“No,” his answer is short and to the point.

“They didn't look happy when we walked down the aisle,” and a soft chuckle vibrates as he shuffles and leans back against the chair, his arm hanging over the back of my chair, his fingertips brushing over the bare skin of my shoulder.

“Would you be happy if your child was in this situation?” he swings his head to look at me, a strand of his hair hanging down onto his forehead and I find myself focusing on that and wanting to push it away from his eyes.

“I wouldn't be in this situation because I don't want children,” my voice flat as the truths seep from me.

“No?” he looks at me, brows furrowed before he smooths them out.

“No,” I glance down at the table and see my pops in conversation with Riggs.

“Is that a hard, no?” Pacey asks me and piques my interest. Turning my head to look at him, my eyes bounce between his whiskey ambers.

“Yes, why?” there is an air of sarcasm attached to my tongue when I answer him.

“I want kids,” he shrugs his shoulders up and I just stare at him.

“Off to a good start then,” I roll my eyes, shaking my head as I reach for my champagne flute and drain it.

“Seems that way,” his fingers stop trailing over my skin and before I can even respond he pushes from the table and sulks over to where his mom sits. He lowers himself in the chair, elbows on the table as he begins talking quietly and I am desperate to know what he is saying.

He must think that this will last, but I don't think we will be in it for the long run. I think it'll run its course and we'll both walk away when we know the ranch is safe.

I'm not alone long when a pretty honey blonde haired girl sits next to me, her hair short and wavy, hazel eyes dancing with mine and she wears a pretty dusty pink chiffon dress and cowgirl boots.

“Hi,” she says sweetly, “I’m Aspen.”

“Aspen,” I repeat her name as if testing it out on my tongue.

“I'm married to Riggs,” she nods at the tall, burly guy at the head of the table, thick beard, broad shoulders and his eyes dance with hers.

“I was at your wedding,” I half laugh and look for the champagne bottle that is floating around the table.

“Oh, yes, of course you were,” she thinks for a moment as she laughs softly. “Sorry, it was a long day, plus, I was a little tipsy,” she leans into me and whispers the last bit.

“Wish I could say the same,” my eyes follow the bottle and before I can even grab it, Aspen has a fresh bottle in her hand and she is popping the cork before filling my glass to the brim and I lick my lips.

“Thank you,” I nod as I take a large mouthful, the bubbles hitting the spot.

“So, let's address the elephant in the room shall we,” she laughs as she fills her own glass and clinks it against mine.

“What's that?”

“How are you feeling with all of this? It must have been a shock.”