Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
I imagine them standing to protest our wedding mid-ceremony and all I can think about is protecting her from the pain they might cause. They’ve done enough already. I walk on swift strides across the grass until I’m standing right in front of them.
“Bold move showing up here.” I cross my arms, frown deepening.
Holly’s dad’s eyes take me in, hard and shrewd, but his mother looks sad, tears welling.
“We didn’t want to miss our daughter’s wedding,” she finally says.
I only grunt.
“Listen, boy—she’s the only thing that matters to us. We just want to make sure she’s safe.”
“Don’t call me boy. And your daughter is the only thing that matters to me—her and my little girl—” I keep my voice controlled despite my desire to throttle the man, “I think we’re in agreement, we both want them safe and happy. What you did was wrong on the deepest level, that little girl needs a dad and you tried to keep me from her. I won’t have anyone coming between me and my family, not even the two of you.”
Holly’s mom breaks down in tears, wiping at her cheeks with a tissue. Her dad shakes his head, eyes flicking around the crowd, anywhere but on me. “We’re just worried—”
“You don’t need to be. Holly is a strong, smart, capable woman. And I’ll be here to catch her if she falls. If you think you’re going to waltz in here and destroy the only thing that matters to us—”
“We would never—” her mother sobs. “You don’t know what it’s like having children—”
“Thanks to you I missed the first five years of my daughter’s life. But thanks to Holly, I know now. I understand you’re worried, upset she didn’t tell you she was coming here, but I can’t have you here upsetting her.” I stand my ground. I’d go to battle for my family, no matter the cost. I just got them back, I will not lose them again.
“We come in peace—” her father holds up his hands in surrender. “I swear, we’re happy for the both of you as long as she’s happy and safe.”
“I’ll die before I let any harm come to her, and I’ll spend my life keeping her safe and happy.”
Her father nods, resignation in his eyes. “Okay, thank you for saying that. It puts our minds at ease. When we heard from her best friend that she was getting married we just...we just needed to see for ourselves.”
I nod, watching them closely. “You can stay, the only thing I need from you is to enjoy yourselves and make sure you don’t upset Holly.”
“We won’t, Jack, we promise.” Holly’s mom clutches her husband’s hand in her own, warmth rushing to her eyes. A soft gasp escapes the crowd then, and we all turn to see Holly walking down the pine-needle path. Everything else disappears. Her eyes widen for a moment when she catches me standing next to her parents. I smile and nod once, letting her know all is okay. A smile flickers across her face as she clutches her bouquet of wildflowers close. I turn and walk to my designated spot near Zane as I wait for my girl to reach me.
She’s barefoot. Hair loose. Smile soft. A flower tucked behind her ear that Josie picked herself.
I don’t remember how to breathe.
Fox fumbles the ring when Zane signals for it. Drops it in the dirt.
Cal grunts. "Idiot."
Finn kicks him. “Shut up. He’s emotional.”
Zane clears his throat. “We’re gathered here today to do something absolutely insane. Marry off Jack Rivers. A man who thought relationships were like duct tape—good in theory, useless under pressure."
Laughter ripples through the crowd.
My bride grins at me, all wild eyes and soft lips, like she’s ready to devour me the second this is over.
I grip her hand.
And for the first time in my life, I know exactly where I belong.
Zane keeps it short, thank God.
When it’s time, I slide the ring onto her finger. She slides one on mine. And before he can even finish the sentence, I pull her in and kiss the breath from her body.
The crowd cheers. Josie squeals.
Later, under twinkling lights and a sky full of stars, I pull Holly into my arms for our first dance.
“You’re not a bad dancer,” she murmurs, arms looped around my neck.
“Don’t sound so surprised. I’ve got moves.”
She laughs. Soft. Beautiful.
I dip my mouth to her ear and whisper, “Told you I’d make it real this time.”
She tilts her head back, eyes shining. “You did.”
“And I’m never letting go.”
“Good.”
We dance in the dark. Just us and the trees. And the life we carved out with nothing but sawdust, stubbornness, and a second chance.
Our forever starts now.
Later, we walk back to our cabin. Winter is watching Josie for the night while me and my girl enjoy our wedding night. Her breath hitches as I run my hands under her dress, pinning her against the door of our place. I can feel her nipples tighten as I press my lips onto her neck, teeth gently nipping at her flesh. It's intoxicating, the way her body responds to mine.