Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
I squeeze her hands.
“You should do more than custom orders. Start designing again. You could make awesome shoes for people to love. These are gorgeous.”
“Maybe one day,” she says noncommittally.
“If you ever do, I’ll be president of the Margot Blackthorn shoe club.”
She laughs.
“Like I could stand it if you weren’t.” She leans forward to kiss my cheek. “My brother’s a lucky man. He doesn’t deserve you,” she whispers. “But seriously, if he ever breaks your heart, we’re burying him up to his neck on the beach and waiting for the tide to come in.”
“Margot! Can we keep the murdery talk out of my wedding?” I still laugh. “No painful backup plans needed. I’m positive.”
“I know, but he’s my brother, and I always have your back.” She winks and checks her phone. “Almost showtime. Are you ready?”
I glance at Mom, who wipes her eyes and nods shakily, beaming back a smile that tells me just how proud she is.
This is what she always wanted, but I found it on my terms, and she accepts it.
She’s learned to accept me just the way I am.
That’s why I clear my throat and pop the next big question.
“Hey, Mom… how would you like to walk me down the aisle?”
We haven’t discussed it.
Until now, with Dad out of the picture, we settled on me strutting down solo.
Her eyes flash and she puts a hand over her mouth.
“Oh, Hattie, you’re—you’re serious?”
“Yep. It’s not really about handing me off like a piece of property,” I say. This is not Jane Austen’s era, no matter how much I love her books. “I just want everyone to know you’re my mom. I love you and I couldn’t be happier to have you with me.”
There are a lot of vows happening today, and this is one more.
A recommitment of family.
I want to show the world that I love Ethan and everybody who stood by my side as I found him.
Mom nods, her eyes glinting, just like the day when she found out Ethan and I were engaged again—but this time for real.
“Only if you’re sure, honey,” she whispers. “There’s nothing I’d love more.”
“Good!” I kiss her on the cheek. “Love ya, Mom.”
“I love you, too, baby girl,” she whispers, holding me delicately. “My beautiful, wonderful girl. You’re going to make him so happy.”
I let her hold me for a few more seconds before breaking away.
Margot taps her watch and nods.
“Go time, guys!” she announces.
Together, we leave the old converted barn.
The place did its job. If the weather sucked, we’d still have a roof over our heads, but today got lucky. Sunlight pours through the slats along the walls.
My dress brushes the floor as we walk to the doors, flinging them open to reveal Maine’s flaming red, vibrant yellows, and jack-o-lantern orange landscape.
Fall is queen and her jewels are brilliant.
For a second, I stop to catch my breath and rub my eyes.
Whatever happens next, I’m thrilled we picked this land. I can already feel myself trying to put this moment into words, eager to live every second.
Be present. Remember every minute.
The sun bathes my skin.
I wouldn’t have chosen a different dress today even if it was midwinter, but it’s a relief to feel the warmth sink in.
Although I think the heat in my chest would chase away any chill.
The wedding takes place by a lake, a giant mirror for the vibrant reflections in the still water.
There’s a flower-woven arch at the end of a makeshift aisle along the grass.
Dew soaks Margot’s shoes as I pause, steeling my nerves.
The harp begins to play.
With a shaky breath, I lift my eyes for the first time to the man standing at the altar, right next to the priest.
Even from this distance, he’s watching me with adoration.
All sharp focus in sky-blue eyes.
All the love and agony and heat that flips my insides upside down.
Holy hell, this man is mine.
Mine!
I’m going to marry him and call him my husband and I’ll be his lawfully wedded wife.
His.
From the intense look on Ethan’s face, he shares my adrenaline high.
A kind of excitement so potent it burns—pleasure so exquisite it’s almost pain.
I just hope my heart doesn’t split in half before our first wedded kiss.
God, I love him.
It’s almost obscene how electric I feel.
Mom has my arm and people turn to look as we pass. The only thing I see is Ethan and the look on his face.
The way his eyes worship me, brighter with every step.
His nostrils flare.
For the briefest second, his bottom lip quivers before he stiffens again.
The gentle music surrounds us like a cloud, and if Mom didn’t have my arm, guiding me forward, I don’t know if I’d have the mind to move.
The grass feels like vines around my feet.
Then his lips move.
I love you, he mouths, and my feet unstick.
My vision blurs until I’m by his side and he’s reaching for my hands, squeezing them, bringing me back to reality.