Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 139088 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139088 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
“You’re so beautiful,” Harlow breathed.
Alexis put her arms out and looked down at herself. “You think?”
“We know.” Raye moved forward and caught her by both hands. “You’re stunning.”
“Jacob bought me this dress, but he didn’t see it. Do you think he’ll like it?” she asked Raye.
Alexis could cartwheel down the aisle in a clown suit, and Jacob would like it.
“He’s gonna lose it when he sees you,” Raye assured.
Alexis beamed.
Shit.
“Listen,” Raye said as we all gathered around. “Your parents are here.”
Alexis’s face fell.
Shit!
At this juncture, the door flew open and Martha stomped in.
Fantastic.
“I’m not giving up my job,” she announced.
“What’s going on?” another bridesmaid (their dresses were yellow and very feminine).
“The parents are here,” Grace whispered.
“Yuck,” the first one said (I hadn’t been introduced to her yet).
“They’re here?” Alexis asked Raye.
I pushed closer. “Your dad handed Jacob a check for fifty K, apologized and asked to come in.”
Alexis’s lips parted in shock.
“Like I said, I’m not giving up my job,” Martha repeated.
“You’ll do what Alexis wants,” Jessie told her.
Martha blustered.
We let her do that and turned back to Alexis.
“The guys have it covered, if you want to say no,” Raye told her. “Your choice. It’s done. However you want it.”
“Jacob sent us in to ask,” I added. “And he doesn’t want to buck tradition and see you. So we can act as go-betweens if you have something to say.”
Surprisingly, Alexis looked to Martha.
“What should I do?” she asked.
“Plant your ass twenty years from now and think about how you’d feel if you turned them away,” Martha answered instantly. Then, before Alexis could speak, she chuffed out a breath and muttered, “I’ll go let the horse’s ass in.”
“Martha?” Alexis called.
Martha turned back.
“He gets to walk me halfway. Then you, Bill and Zach take over. Can you make that happen?”
Whoa.
Were those tears in Martha’s eyes?
She nodded and ducked out before I could be sure.
“I think that’s a good decision, honey,” Harlow said.
Alexis bit her lip.
“No! Don’t! The makeup lady is gone and your lipstick is perfect!” one of the bridesmaids cried.
Two minutes later, the door opened again and Alexis’s parents came through.
The mom rushed forward, exclaiming, “Oh my beautiful girl.”
The dad stopped dead on sight of his daughter, his face went beet red, then he blew out an explosive breath and immediately started crying.
“Daddy!” Alexis exclaimed, running to him.
He engulfed her in a hug and pushed out, “I’m losing you.”
“I’m right here,” she whispered, hugging him back.
“You look beautiful,” he grunted. “And I didn’t even buy you your gown.”
“Oh, Daddy,” Alexis whimpered.
“Let’s go,” Raye whispered.
We stepped out.
“Well?” Martha, standing right outside, demanded.
Zach and Bill were with her, and I had to quickly check for weapons when I caught the expressions on their faces.
But Jacob and all the men were out there too.
And Jacob’s attention was fixed to the closed door.
“It’s good,” Raye assured. “He’s crying. They’re hugging.”
Some of the tension went out of Jacob’s broad shoulders.
Tod bustled up. “There’s a switch in the giving-away march?”
Martha flapped a hand between her and Zach and Bill. “The dad starts it. We get her halfway.”
“Quick. We have ten minutes. Practice,” Tod said breathlessly.
They took off.
Knox claimed me.
“Where’s our food and booze?” he asked.
“I lost track of it,” I admitted.
“I’ll load us up again,” he said.
“We need to start moving people to the seating area,” Harlow reminded me. “It’s time.”
“I’ll survive,” I whispered to Knox. “Let’s get this party started.”
He curled an arm around my waist, and the Angels and Hottie Squad yet again went into action.
We got everyone seated.
Knox deposited me beside Indy and Lee, Hector and Sadie.
Once that was done, it began.
Brady escorted Jacob’s aunt down the aisle. His uncle followed.
Javi escorted Alexis’s aunt. She didn’t have a hubby so that was that.
Gabe escorted one of Jacob’s grandmothers down the aisle. Shaw, the other. The grandfathers followed.
Jeff escorted one of Jacob’s sisters. Lan the other.
Cap, his mother, while his dad followed.
Roam escorted one of Alexis’ grandmas down. Knox the other. Ditto with the following of the grandfathers.
Liam escorted Alexis’s mom.
Tod was stationed at the bridal party door. Stevie at the groomsmen’s.
Once the family were seated, Tod gave the go-ahead, Stevie opened the door and the groomsmen marched out.
Then the quartet started playing Bach’s “Air on G String” and Tod opened the door to unleash the bridesmaids.
And the bride.
Since my eyes were glued to a glowing, gorgeous Alexis, it wouldn’t be until later, when I watched the wedding video, that I’d see Jacob’s reaction on first sight of the woman who would, twenty minutes from that moment, be his wife.
Though, once I’d turned around, I knew it had happened.
At seeing her, finally, I was letting my tears fall.
I wasn’t the only one. Not by a long shot.
And I was right.
Jacob lost it.
It was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen in my life.
And that day was one of the most beautiful days I’d ever lived.