Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Tripp shrugged. “I guess. Dad said when he saw her at the vet, she told him she would be coming back to town a few times a month and would be here permanently by Christmas. Doc wants to retire and travel with his wife while they can still get around good.”
“Wow. And she never called to tell you?”
He let out a gruff laugh. “Why the fuck would she call me? She made her stance on us known a long time ago when she left me for the fucker she met in college. For all I know, they’re still together. I don’t ask her parents when I see them. Mom said from what she can gather from Harley’s folks, Harley still isn’t married. I don’t know for sure, though.”
“I’m surprised Mom hasn’t done more poking around.”
“Yeah, unless she knows and isn’t saying.”
“That’s possible. I guess you’ll be finding out soon enough.”
“I guess,” Tripp said. He hit my shoulder. “Enough of my drama, dude. You’re getting married.”
I smiled. “I’m getting married.”
The closer we got to my folks’ place, the more my stomach became a jumbled-up mess.
If anyone had told me a year ago I’d be getting married, I would have arrested their ass and let them sit in jail for a night. But now? Now I couldn’t wait to make Corina my wife. I couldn’t wait to hold her in my arms each night and wake up next to her. The idea that she was carrying my baby made me realize that this was the only thing I wanted. A life with Corina and our baby.
Tripp pulled up and parked behind Steed’s truck. He turned off the engine and looked at me. “You ready to do this?”
With a wide grin, I replied, “Never been more ready.”
Standing in front of the mirror, I stared at myself in the wedding dress that once belonged to Mitchell’s mom, Melanie.
“Oh my gosh, you look stunning,” Waylynn said as she buttoned up the last button.
“Why would she ever get rid of this dress?” I asked.
Amelia sighed. “That’s why I kept it. It was too beautiful to give away.”
My eyes met Waylynn’s. “Are you sure you don’t want to save this and wear it?”
A sadness swept over her face, but she quickly replaced it with a grin. “If I ever get married again I want a sexy-as-hell dress that will make my future husband want to…you know what…in his pants.”
We peeked at Chloe. She was attempting to put a bow in Gage’s peach fuzz. Poor little thing. She wanted a baby sister desperately.
I focused back on my reflection in the mirror.
This was happening. I was getting married. And, boy, did I look the part. Amelia had put my hair up and pulled pieces down to frame my face. She had nearly burned my cheek trying to curl my hair.
The dress was stunning—silver lace over an ivory tulle. The A-line flowed down to a tight bodice and finally to the tulle skirt. It was light as air as it flowed with each movement I made. The sweetheart neckline was covered in lace and crystal beadwork—and made my breasts look amazing, if I did say so myself. The lace straps gave the whole gown an organic feel.
Why would Melanie want to give this dress away?
“I can’t believe how well this dress fits you,” Waylynn said as she placed a pair of white ballet shoes in front of me.
“It fits me like a glove,” I said softly.
“Thank God! And so do my shoes. I think these will be perfect!”
I lifted the dress up and slipped on the shoes. Paxton walked up to me and studied me intently before pushing sprigs of baby’s breath into my hair.
“There, that is the exact touch we needed. Chloe, what do you think?” Paxton asked her daughter.
Lifting her gaze, Chloe stood. She sucked in a breath and covered her mouth.
“Well?” I asked as I spun around in the dress.
Dropping her hand, Chloe said, “Oh no, your dress isn’t white!”
I glanced down and laughed. “It’s like an off-white.”
“They should call it a dirty white,” Chloe added.
“Chloe Parker!” Paxton said, her hands on her hips.
Her little face fell, and she stared at the ground. “I still think you look like a princess.”
I chuckled and Paxton shook her head. “I’m sorry, Corina. It’s a stunning gown. She doesn’t understand.”
Waving it off, I walked to Chloe and bent down. The dress puffed out around me, and Chloe’s eyes lit up.
She ran her finger over the straps. “It’s so pretty!”
“It is pretty, and it’s supposed to be this color. You don’t always have to wear white. Some brides wear pink!”
Chloe gasped. “Pink! I’m wearing pink when I get married.”
“Mom’s coming!” Amelia cried out. “Paxton, get Corina in the bedroom!”
I took Chloe’s hand and we quickly went into the bedroom. She was giggling like this was the funniest thing ever, hiding us from Melanie.