Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“It’s normal to be nervous,” Uncle Ty said as he worked on Joshua’s tie. “What in the hell did you do to this knot, son?”
Joshua shrugged. “Why do you think I asked you to fix it?”
Bradly sat on the sofa next to Nathan, both dressed in jeans, white button-down shirts, and light blue ties. Their black cowboy hats sat on the coffee table. Kipton’s favorite color was blue, so the ties were the only thing she requested when she agreed I could pick what the groomsmen wore.
“There,” Uncle Ty said. “Don’t touch it.”
The photographer walked in and let out a whistle. “My goodness, a roomful of cowboys. I’ve died and gone to heaven. We all ready?”
“Almost,” my mother said as she walked up to me and pinned the boutonniere on my black vest. “There.” She patted my chest and blinked back tears. “Now you’re ready.”
“I love you, Mom.” A tear slipped down her cheek, and I reached up and gently wiped it away.
“Oh, Hunter. You are my life. I love you more.”
Leaning in, I kissed her cheek. “All right. Let’s go grab a few photos.”
Kipton and I agreed not to see one another before the wedding. I wanted to be surprised when I saw her walking toward me. But we did ask for some time alone afterward.
“You officially lost the bet, Nathan,” Joshua said as he held out his hand. Nathan rolled his eyes and slapped a ten-dollar bill into his palm.
“What did you bet?” I asked as we made our way to the site where the photographer wanted to take pictures.
Looking over his shoulder at me, Joshua said, “He bet you wouldn’t be getting married, and I bet you would be.”
I pushed Nathan playfully. “You bet against me, dude?”
He shrugged. “Someone had to.”
The photographer snapped pics of me with the groomsmen, then with my dad and my uncles. As soon as she took the last shot, the wedding planner—also known as Aunt Kaylee—called out and motioned to her watch.
“It’s time,” someone said. I was too nervous to even know who’d spoken.
Blayze fell in step beside me, and we walked in silence for a bit before I asked, “How’s Georgiana doing?”
A wide grin erupted on his face. “Amazing. Beautiful. The best mother.”
I slapped him on the back. “Two boys. Karma.”
He laughed. “Dad and Mom said the same thing.”
“I don’t know who’s more nervous today. Me about getting married, or Ryan about becoming a father any time now.”
Blayze followed my gaze. “They’re going to induce Morgan if she doesn’t go into labor by Tuesday. So perfect timing on the wedding, little brother. Georgiana did say Morgan was a little short the last few days.”
“She’s earned it. I still can’t believe our sister designed all the dresses.”
He nodded. “I know. Georgie said some designer from New York asked Morgan to design a wedding line. She declined. Said if she was going to do that, she’ll do her own damn line. And that was a direct quote.”
I laughed. “Sounds like our sister.”
When we walked over the hill, my breath caught. “Holy shit,” I whispered.
“Yeah. Aunt Kaylee can put a wedding together.”
All I could do was nod. A square timber arbor was set up at the end of the makeshift aisle with beautiful white and blue flowers wrapped all around it. The rows of seating were bales of hay with wood slats placed atop them. White twinkle lights were strung high over the seating area, from one tree to the other. Kipton had wanted to keep the wedding area simple but well lit since we were getting married at sunset.
I walked down the aisle, stopping a few times to greet friends and family, before I found myself standing at the arbor, waiting for the love of my life.
The music started, and I watched Nathan and Lily walk down the aisle, followed by Joshua and Avery. Ryan walked with a very pregnant Morgan, who looked beautiful, even if she was waddling. Then came Bradly, escorting Rose. And last was Blayze with Aspen.
Blayze bumped me on the arm as he took his place next to me and whispered, “She looks beautiful.”
All I could do was smile. Then the music changed, and everyone stood. My heart hammered so loud in my chest, it was the only thing I could hear.
Then she appeared before my eyes…the beautiful angel that she was. Dressed in a white lace gown with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, and wisps of curls blowing in the wind. She smiled at a few people as Gilbert began walking her down the aisle.
When her eyes met mine, I lost the battle to hold back my tears. “She is beautiful,” I whispered.
Blayze put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed.
And then there she was, standing in front of me, blinking back tears of her own. Something was said, her father turned and kissed her, then he placed her hand in mine, and she took the last step to stand next to me.