Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 138642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
But the moment breaks when Mom smiles, reaching out to clasp hands all around.
“Are we ready?” she asks.
As ready as I’ll ever be for my own little happily ever after.
“Yes. Kinda.” I nod breathlessly as my stomach drops. “Um. I’m not ready... What if he changes his mind, Mom?”
“My love, stop.” My mother’s cool knuckles graze my cheek. “That man loved you every day of his life without seeing you for ten years. He won’t stop now.”
I nod again, taking a slow breath.
I know that.
I believe that.
It’s just nerves.
“Okay. Ready,” I say. “Let’s do this.”
Soon I’m gathered up in tearful hugs.
We’re all sniffling, but we manage not to cry, and suddenly Nell flies into our huddle.
She’s completely adorable in her little flower girl dress with butterfly wings scalloping the hem. It hits me that she barely speaks, just throws her little arms around me and clings like a blessing.
And then I’m alone, waiting for my cue.
Outside, I hear the wedding march starting.
Delilah Graves recruited the high school band to play it because Nell asked. Another little personal touch that makes my heart mush.
Sure, they’re a little clumsy, a little off-key.
But that honest imperfection feels like a better fit when nothing about our love story was ever easy or orderly.
Jensen Faircross leans into the tent, peeking around the flap with his eyes averted, probably making sure he doesn’t catch me in a state of undress.
“Ready to be my daughter for real, Ophelia?”
I flush hotly and nod, stepping forward to take his arm.
Yep, I’m speechless.
Everything I’ve been missing my whole life is here in Redhaven—family, love, acceptance.
I wonder why I ever ran away.
Jensen draws me out into the light, standing at the foot of the long white silk carpet laid over the grass and leading up to the altar. The entire Redhaven police force, minus Chief Bowden, is lined up on Grant’s side.
My mother, Ros, Janelle Bowden, Nell, and Delilah wait for me on my side. And right there before the pulpit with the priest looking like a ghost in his shadow, I see him.
Grant.
My big lumbering bear of a man has never looked more handsome in his life.
I don’t even want to know what Ros did to find a tux that fit him.
It sits on him perfectly, though, wrapping his grizzly frame in this sleek gloss, but it also can’t hide what a wild man he is. His hair’s slicked back, his beard neatly trimmed, but he’s still my gentle giant.
Maybe he’s a grouch.
Maybe he’s a little feral, sometimes.
Maybe, just maybe on some days he can be a bit of a massive asshole.
But I love him desperately.
He loves me.
And there’s nothing else that matters in the world except the love shining in his eyes as they land on me and he freezes.
That barrel chest stops rising and falling, his lips parting soundlessly. Without a word, he gives me his reaction.
You take my breath away.
I smile shyly, glancing at Mr. Faircross.
Together, we step forward.
The moment I take that first stride, though, I gasp.
A cloud of blue light erupts around me as several townsfolk let go of the ties on delicate nets I hadn’t noticed before.
Before I can blink, I see swarms of glittering, beautiful blue morpho butterflies.
They float up like scattered leaves, rising to the sky.
My gasp of wonder isn’t the only one as the family, friends, and neighbors gathered here today stare up at the sky in amazement.
The butterflies fan out in delicate arcs of jeweled wings, shedding their dust in soft motes that feel like they’re showering me with magic today.
My heart spills over.
It really is the wedding of my wildest fantasies.
I can’t stop myself from laughing with the sheer elation running through me while Jensen and I step forward again.
It’s a slow march.
It’s supposed to be.
But I’m not a patient girl. I want to break free and just run to Grant.
He’s magnetic, this constant pull drawing me to his side, and it takes far too long to make that graceful procession. My train flares behind me, shining in the sunlight with a little more dust that fell from the butterflies’ wings.
It’s over before I draw my next breath, and here I am.
Face-to-face with destiny—and who knew it was so handsome?
Jensen’s arm slips free from mine, turning me free.
The only thing stopping me from reaching for Grant is the bouquet of white lilies clutched in my fingers. For a breathless second, we just stare at each other in awe, before he smiles that slow, boyish smile that feels like it’s just for me.
“Is it everything you dreamed of?” he whispers.
“Everything and more,” I answer. “You really...? All of this, I mean? Just from what I told you?”
“With a little help from your ma and sister.” He grins. “They made sure I didn’t fuck it up.”
I giggle low in my throat. “And what about you? This wedding feels like it’s all for me...”