Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28432 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 114(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28432 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 114(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
We’ve been engaged for a month. I wanted to take her down to the courthouse the moment she slid the engagement ring on her finger. But she’s already missed out on so many life experiences that I wanted to give her a proper wedding. Even if waiting for this day has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life.
Last week, I got the notice that I’d no longer be billed for the hospice service. Seems that my stepdad finally died. True to their word, no one from my family has reached out. Not that I expected them to. It’s a relief to know I’m free.
Looking back, I see that both Molly and I had to face our pasts in order to find our way to each other. We spent our lives running, not knowing we were running toward a beautiful future. One that we get to experience together.
If I had to go through it all again just to get to this moment, this chance to be with her, then I’d do it in a heartbeat. She’s been worth every moment of pain, loneliness, and despair. She was worth the wait and now I get to show the world that she’s mine.
“Sit down somewhere. You’re making the rest of us dizzy,” Blade complains from his spot on the front porch. He’s the one who shot Molly’s dad with the arrow. How a one-armed man manages to shoot an arrow, I’ll never know. Maybe next time I’ll get the chance to watch him do it.
“He’s just cranky because he’s not writing a romance book,” Rafe teases him. He, Blade, and Roman are sitting on my front porch in wicker chairs. Apparently, my porch needed a seating area, complete with throw pillows and a rug to “pull the look together”. It amazes me how Molly came in and transformed my lonely cabin into a beautiful home.
“For the last time,” Blade sighs, popping the tab on a beer. “I don’t write romance. I read them. Get paid for it too.”
“How does that work?” I mutter, not even a little bit curious. I’m far more interested in seeing my bride today than I am hearing about Blade’s work.
“I’m a book narrator. Romance books happen to be a billion-dollar industry, and I want my slice of the pie. It’s about the money.” He leans back in his chair and stares out at the horizon, like something is troubling him.
Roman snorts. “Sure, nothing to do with the pretty little author that keeps messaging you, wanting to meet up in person.”
Blade’s expression falls. “Yeah, that’s not happening.”
I remember how lonely I was just a few weeks ago, right before I found Molly. There’s nothing like knowing I have someone to come home to at night, someone to talk with about my day, and cuddle underneath the blankets. “Maybe give her a chance. Don’t reject a good thing before it can happen.”
My phone finally beeps, signaling it’s time and I breathe a sigh of relief. We can take our place for the ceremony where my beautiful girl will walk down the aisle so I can properly stake my claim.
We haven’t heard from her dad since that day when he met with us. I don’t suspect we ever will. The man is a coward who wouldn’t even fight for his daughter. He just saw her as a pawn, but he wasn’t willing to risk his life for her. Not the way I would. I’d lay down my life for my bride without hesitation. She’s my whole world, my queen.
Before we can move from the porch, Brennon and Nash are showing up. Brennon punched his brother in the nose at his wedding and took his bride for his own. Nash fell for a curvy little thief who broke into his home. They’re both settled and peaceful since marrying their women. It seemed weird to me for a while, but I understand it now.
They offer their congratulations on the way to the wedding venue. Molly wanted to get married under the oak tree, the same one where we first made love. I can’t argue with that. We often come here when the weather is nice to fool around.
Cadence, Brennon’s woman, and Laura, Nash’s wife, helped turn the forested area into a fairytale wedding. They brought Molly’s vision to life and I’m glad that she has them.
The guys take their place with me by the tree as we wait for the women. We exchange pleasantries with Judge Helen. She does a lot of wedding ceremonies in Courage County and the ones she doesn’t handle are usually down at the wedding chapel.
The organ music begins, piped in from the speaker system the guys rigged up for the wedding and my girl is coming down the aisle.
Princess struts down the path with her head held high despite the floppy hat. It’s as if she understands the importance of the moment because for once she doesn’t meow dramatically over my choice of music.