Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
The bridesmaids came next in deep plum dresses in individual styles that suited their body shapes. Winter’s soon-to-be sisters-in-law and friends were stunning beside their men.
Jade walked with Knox, Aurora held on to Nick’s arm, Jessica accompanied her now husband, Derek, and Zach picked up the rear with Raven, who had become Winter’s good friend. They were followed by Leah, the most adorable flower girl on the planet.
Finally, the screen that had been set up at the top of the aisle closed so the brides could move closer without being seen by the guests. Canon D by Johann Pachelbel sounded around them, the cue that it was time.
Winter met her sister’s gaze and smiled. “Ready?” she asked.
“I can’t wait,” Nikki murmured.
“Me too.” Winter had moved in with Harrison, or rather, she’d never left.
Harrison had her things packed and brought to his apartment. Still, Winter couldn’t wait to become Mrs. Harrison Dare because she adored that man and wanted to be his in every way. And she wanted to know he equally belonged to her in the eyes of the law.
“Let’s do this,” Nikki said as her father, the former senator, hooked one arm in hers to walk her down the aisle.
He kissed her cheek and turned to Winter, slid his other arm into hers and lightly brushed her cheek with his lips.
Then Nikki, the woman who’d been estranged from her father for most of her life, and Winter, who hadn’t had a father until last year, waited for the screen to part.
And they walked down the aisle toward the men they loved.
* * *
Zach
The wedding celebration continued late into the night. Zach took pleasure in the fact that his siblings had chosen his new bar as their venue. It made him feel a part of things and he liked how his family was always there for each other in varied ways.
“Hey.” Remy strode up beside him with two glasses of Dirty Dare Bourbon, handing him one.
“Thanks.” Zach took a sip of the sweet, smooth liquor and nodded his approval. Dirty Dare Spirits made a quality drink. “So, are you satisfied with your life change?” he asked his friend and new partner.
Remy inclined his head. “Couldn’t be happier.” He’d liked working with Zach to find Collette Bettencourt without the rules and restrictions of the NYPD.
So he’d quit the force and joined Zach both in his restaurant business and his PI firm. The one no one in his family knew about until Winter decided if anyone was going to tell the story about Senator Corbin Bettencourt’s illegitimate daughter and how his wife had tried to kill her, it should be Winter herself. Because no one else could write the truth with a spin that wouldn’t hurt her family. And she’d been correct.
The problem was her story was fascinating and the ultimate clickbait. Was it any wonder the article had been picked up by all news outlets?
Winter interviewed everyone involved, and for reasons Zach would never understand, instead of taking credit for Collette’s arrest, the police had lauded Zach and Remy for finding her. Once Winter’s article had been printed, Zach’s past clients had contacted her to sing his praises, precipitating a follow-up piece that also went viral. As a result, Zach’s PI business became public and suddenly he had a waiting list of potential clients and fame he didn’t want.
Yes, his family liked to think he was a man of mystery with many talents, and sure, he was some of that. But he was also a guy who specialized in finding missing people. Collette had been a pleasure to hunt down because Winter was family, and nobody messed with Zach’s family and got away with it. He didn’t advertise and only took on people who found him by word of mouth.
His motivation was personal. The week before prom, Zach’s high school girlfriend vanished without a trace. She and her entire family had packed up, leaving an empty house and no note or forwarding address. Zach never heard from her again. Her disappearance had driven him to hone the computer skills that now, years later, he used to help others. Helping people find missing loved ones was emotionally satisfying while the bars fulfilled his entrepreneurial spirit.