Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“Pleasure to have y’all back in town.”
Gavin grinned. “Glad to be back.”
Mal’s eyes found mine, and I froze under his intense gaze. The first time I’d met him, I’d known he had this unmistakable energy. Like the room was charged around him. Like he was in charge of everything around him. And I felt it again then. As if he could see beyond what Gavin and I were to the core of our relationship. Then, he cocked a smile in my direction, and I relaxed. We’d been weighed and judged, and he approved. Somehow, Malcolm’s approval meant something.
“Come on inside, Whit,” he said, gesturing to the front door. “The ladies have taken it upon themselves to throw quite an event for you. Don’t mind us as we steal Gavin.”
I arched an eyebrow at Gavin. “What trouble are y’all getting into?”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Malcolm said. “We’ll take care of him.”
“We’re going riding, aren’t we?” Gavin guessed.
“Hell yes,” Nate said.
“We’ll see you after,” Trey said with mischief in his eyes.
I laughed and waved Gavin away. A day of drinking and horse riding with his cousins was probably just what he needed now that he was away from the city.
“Have fun.”
I strode inside to find the house even more magnificent than last time. White, gold, and silver balloons delivered an incredible archway with Congratulations, Bride! in big gold letters with a massive inflated diamond ring. Flowers covered every other available space. As if Gavin’s aunt Susannah had taken her entire garden and brought it inside for the event.
Susannah was the first to greet me. “Whitley, you made it! We’re so happy to welcome you today.”
Tears pricked uncomfortably at my eyes as she hugged me. I’d felt immediately like I belonged with Gavin’s family when I met them the first time. But I’d been the fake fiancée then, and now … well, now, I wasn’t quite a fake bride-to-be. Things were starting to feel really real.
Gavin’s mom, Julianne, pulled me into a hug next. “My future daughter-in-law.” She put me at arm’s length. “You’re more beautiful every day.”
“This hair,” Susannah said, gesturing at my rainbow hair. “It suits you.”
“You’re not a natural blonde, are you, honey?” Julianne asked about the color I’d been the last time I was here.
“You’ll be shocked to hear that I’m not a natural rainbow either.”
Both women laughed and gestured for me to join the group. I took a seat next to Margaret’s younger sister, Cora. She beamed at me and showed me the paper plate she had in her hand.
“It’s for your rehearsal bouquet,” she explained. “I’ll add all the ribbons from the gifts to it, and then you’ll walk down the aisle at the rehearsal with this bouquet.”
“What a cute idea.”
Cora grinned. “I’m glad to be here. Especially since Maggie canceled at the last minute.”
My smile wavered. “Yes, that was unfortunate.”
“That’s Maggie.”
Susannah put her hand on my shoulder. “Can I get you refreshments or anything before we get started? I’m just so happy that you let me do this. I love to throw a big party. And you already feel like family.”
“Thank you, Susannah. That’s so sweet.”
“Not that she gave you a lot of time, Sue,” Julianne said with a laugh. “This is a quick wedding.”
I flushed at the comment. “Well, when you know, you know, right?”
“That’s right. And how couldn’t someone know with your son, Jules?” Susannah asked, cocking an eyebrow.
They exchanged looks that said they had already talked about this and agreed not to bring it up.
“We’re beyond excited. No matter the timeline,” Julianne said.
Susannah nodded once. “Now, refreshments?”
The bridal shower was way longer than I’d thought it would be, but I had a good time and got more gifts from the women Susannah had invited than I ever could have imagined. Everything would have to be packed and shipped to New York. Something Susannah insisted on taking care of.
Cora tugged me away from all of her mother’s friends and out onto the back patio. “Phew! Glad to be done with that.”
“Oh, come on. It was fun.”
“Yeah, but not when the boys get to be off drinking at the barn.” Cora grabbed my arm. “Let’s go.”
“Go where exactly?” I asked as I hurried after her.
She grinned at me and then rushed over to the stables. “You know how to ride, right?”
“I have been on a horse.”
“You can take Mom’s horse, Tabby. She’s real easy tempered. It’ll be fine.” She gestured to a bin. “We keep extra stuff over there. I’m sure there’re some boots that will fit you.”
As she began to saddle the horses, I went through the boots until I found a pair that were just a little big, but I had small pixie feet, so that wasn’t surprising. I also found a pair of leggings, which I slid on under my white dress. Cora was already in biker shorts, so she was good.