Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Saying a quick goodbye to everyone in the room, I head back downstairs, meeting Lilly in the kitchen. “Tim sent a text a few minutes ago. They’ll be at the house soon,” I tell her as soon as I’m close, and her eyes fill with tears as she nods then rests her hand on my bicep.
“Thank you for doing this. This means everything to Cash and me.”
“I want her happy,” I say, trying to shrug off the feeling in my chest and gut as she looks at me with her chin wobbling.
“You are a good man, Dillon. We’re lucky to have you as a part of our family,” she murmurs, getting up on her tiptoes and placing a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll have one of the girls send a text when we are on our way. Hopefully, we can pull this off.”
“She knows something’s up, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work.” I give her a small smile then watch Parker and the twins come into the kitchen, dressed and ready to go.
“It will work. She may think something is going on, but I guarantee you she’s not thinking she’s about to get married.”
“We’re already married,” I mutter, and she grins, patting my chest.
“Yes, you are. Now go, and we’ll see you there,” she says, giving Parker and the boys a wave before leaving the room.
“Ready?”
Looking at my brother, I nod. I was ready the first time I married her, and I’m more than ready this time.
*
“She’s out front,” Cash mumbles, looking from his cell phone to me before tucking it into the front pocket of his suit pants.
“I’ll head out back and let them know.”
Lifting his chin, he heads toward the front of the house while I make my way to the backyard where everyone is now waiting.
Opening the door, I step out into the grass and take in the people mulling around, the white chairs lined up in rows, and the large gazebo decorated with colorful flowers and white tulle. “She’s here,” I inform the DJ as I pass him, and he nods then turns down the music, which causes a hush to fall over the crowd and people to immediately take their seats like planned. With the sun sitting high in the sky, I step up the two steps into the gazebo as Parker joins me.
“I love you, man. I wish Mom and Dad could be here for this.” He pats my back, and I close my eyes briefly and turn to hug him. “Don’t get mushy and start crying,” he grumbles, hugging me back, and I grin, patting him once more before letting him go.
As I turn to face the yard and the people sitting in chairs below, my lungs tighten as my eyes land on my beautiful wife standing at the end of the aisle with her eyes covered. Watching Lilly untie the blindfold, my breath comes out in a rush as her gaze moves over the yard and her mouth forms a small “O” before our eyes lock for one brief moment that seems to last a lifetime.
Hearing “Thinking Out Loud” begin to play softly in the background, I watch Michelle come forward carrying a bouquet of white roses, placing them in Ashlyn’s shaking hands before kissing her cheek. It takes everything in me not to rush toward her as the tears filling her eyes spill over when her dad takes her hand and wraps it around his bicep with a pat.
I thought nothing would ever be more beautiful than the moment she became mine in Vegas, but watching her walk down the aisle toward me with her face soft, love shining in her eyes, and a cream-colored dress that skims the curves of her body, I know I was wrong. Once she’s a few feet away, I step down from the gazebo and meet her and her dad, taking her hand he offers me.
“Take care of her,” Cash says, looking at me before dropping his gaze to his daughter and leaning down, kissing her cheek, whispering something there for only her to hear, and letting her go. Leading her back up the steps, I take her hands in mine and direct her to stand in front of me as the officiate begins to speak.
“As I’ve been reminded on numerous occasions by Mr. Keck over the last few days, Mrs. Keck is already his wife, so this is not a wedding,” he jokes, and the crowd laughs as Ashlyn smiles a watery smile up at me. “When Dillon came to me, he asked that today be a show of his devotion to his wife. And a moment for him and Mrs. Keck to share with all of you.” He pats my shoulder. “I believe you have a few things you’d like to say to your wife.”