Gareth couldn’t help but wonder if any of this would’ve been possible if Alex hadn’t been so forthcoming. Gareth knew eventually it’d all have come out, but the trust wouldn’t have been there. Not like it was today, which had made their presence all the more important.
But with so many in attendance, Brooke had been talking with everyone else and not once had they actually been together long enough to do it. Sometimes you have to make things happen.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to check on Brooke.” He left his brothers and went up to Brooke and asked, “Hi, can I talk to you for a minute?”
She smiled and said, “Of course. If you ladies will excuse me for a minute, this handsome man wants to steal me away.”
Rosslyn laughed. “Don’t steal her too far. We’re planning the wedding and we’re just about to talk dresses.”
“She won’t be gone long,” Gareth promised as he guided her to a more private spot.
“Your timing was perfect. They were asking so many questions, and I didn’t want to start lying to them. They kept asking if we set a date yet. I thought for sure they were going to pick one for us.”
He felt bad because he’d been running late, and she probably was wondering what had happened to their plan. The problem about getting together for a social event, when you also work with one another, was trying not to talk business. They failed every time. But for the most part, they kept the conversations on family. On the future. Both fitting for today.
He took Brooke’s hand and softly asked, “Are you sure you still want to do this?”
“Of course I am. You know me, I love surprises.”
Gareth pulled her close. “Don’t look at me like that or you’ll get one. I’ll scoop you up right now and carry you away.”
“Don’t you dare,” she warned. Then he watched Brooke as she looked around at everyone in the room. She was smiling, and he knew this was right. When she turned back to him she added, “It’s time to surprise everyone else.”
“Okay.” He nodded to one of the waiters who had been brought into the loop. The waiter left the room and the soft music was turned off. Here it goes.
A man approached and stood between them. In a loud voice he said, “May I have everyone’s attention please.”
The room was loud with everyone’s chatter and laughter. He hated to do it, but he needed them to quiet down. This wasn’t going to take long, but he needed them to cooperate. So Gareth put two fingers to his lips and let out a loud high-pitched whistle. Finally, one by one, they quieted and turned. “Brooke and I wanted to thank you all for coming out tonight to celebrate The Answer. We appreciate all the love and support you’ve given us these past few months. And we look forward to beginning the next chapter of our lives.”
Brooke added, “You are all so very special to us. And whether you’re family or friends, or a combination of both, you were all invited here because we didn’t want to do this without you. You weren’t just invited to a party, but to witness our wedding.”
The room all started to buzz, and the looks on their faces said they definitely were not expecting this. Gareth looked to Charles, who had a smile on his face, then to Tony, who shockingly nodded his approval. There didn’t seem to be one guest upset with the change of plans. That’s good, because they were going ahead with it no matter what.
As on cue, the waiter opened the door and he and other staff carried in the wedding arch decorated with white gardenias, the flower that would forever be a symbol of his love for Brooke. One of the waitresses handed Brooke a matching bouquet. She might not be in a traditional wedding dress, but she was still the most beautiful bride he’d ever seen. And I’m the luckiest man alive.
Gareth looked around the room and said, “Dylan, if you don’t mind, I believe you owe me.” He waved for Dylan to come stand beside him.
Dylan walked over and shook Gareth’s hand. “We’ll talk about this later.”
It hadn’t been easy keeping this from all of them. But Brooke said she wanted something private and simple. Her happiness was all that mattered.
Brooke then called out, “Janet, I need you here.” Janet made her way through the crowd of family and gave Brooke a hug. “You said I’d find my real love someday. You were right. Will you stand by me as my matron of honor?”
“I’d love to.”
The room became quiet again as Brooke and Gareth turned to face each other. At Dylan’s wedding, he couldn’t concentrate on anything but missing Brooke. Here he was now, about to marry the most amazing woman he’d ever met. Luck had nothing to do with it. Fate brought them together and love was going to make it last. He leaned over and whispered, “I love you.”
Her eyes glistened and she said, “I love you too.”
The judge said, “We are gathered together, friends and family, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. What their love has bound together, let nothing tear apart . . .
Till death do us part. I love you, my Brooke. And I always will . . .
The End
Also by Jeannette Winters
When Sparks Fly Series:
Drive Me Wild
Plug Me In
Turn Me On
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The Blank Check Series:
Book 1: The Billionaire’s Rival
Book 2: The Billionaire’s Charade
Book 3: The Billionaire’s Scandal
Book 4: The Billionaire’s Regret
Book 5: The Billionaire’s Deception
Book 6: The Billionaire’s Revenge
The Billionaire’s Rival
Charles Lawson carries the weight of the entire family’s future on his shoulders. As CEO of Lawson Steel it is his responsibility to ensure their legacy continued for the next generation. First on his agenda is to clean up loose ends from the past. Doing so is risky and if he fails, the price could be great. It’s a risk he’s willing to take.
Rosslyn Clark loves her life as is, but family is everything to her. When her parents find themselves in a crisis, all she loves is at risk. Whether she likes it or not, sometimes change is inevitable.
As Charles prepares to seal the deal, he finds one beautiful blonde stands in his way, and things become complicated. Can he continue with his original plan and look at her as collateral damage or has Rosslyn become something more to him?
Rosslyn finds herself caught between two powerful men, one she works for, the other, his rival. Will she do what is expected of her, or will she walk away from everything and follow her heart?
**************************************************
Barrington Billionaires Series:
Book 1: One White Lie (FREE!)
Book 2: Table For Two
Book 3: You & Me Make Three
Book 4: Virgin For The Fourth Time
Book 5: His For Five Nights
Book 5.5: New Beginning Holiday Novella
Book 6: After Six
Book 7: Seven Guilty Pleasures
Book 7.5: At the Sight of Holly
Book 8: Eight Reasons Why
Book 9: Nine Rules of Engagement
One White Lie
Brice Henderson traded everything for power and success. His company was closing a deal that would cement his spot at the top. The last thing he needed was a distraction from the past.
Lena Razzi had spent years trying to forget Brice Henderson. When offered the opportunity of a lifetime, would she take the risk even if the price would be another broken heart?
Do you love reading from this world? Continue with Always Mine from my sister, Ruth Cardello, Her series will mirror my time line. It isn’t necessary to read hers to enjoy mine, but it sure will enhance the fun!
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Betting on You Series:
Book 1: The Billionaire’s Secret (FREE!)
Book 2: The Billionaire’s Masquerade
Book 3: The Billionaire’s Longsh
ot
Book 4: The Billionaire’s Jackpot
Book 5: All Bets Off
Book 6: A Rose For The Billionaire
Book 7: The Billionaire’s Treat Novella
The Billionaire’s Secret
Billionaire Jon Vinchi is a man with one passion: work. His friends decide to shake him up by entering him as a prize at a charity event.
Accountant Lizette Burke is dressed to the nines and covering for her boss at a charity event. She’s hoping to land a donor for the struggling non-profit agency that employs her.
She never expected to win a date with a billionaire.
He never thought one night could turn his life upside down.
One lie stands between them and their happily ever after. Too bad it’s a big one!
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Southern Desires Series:
Book 1: Southern Spice (FREE!)
Book 2: Southern Exposure
Book 3: Southern Delight
Book 4: Southern Regions
Book 5: Southern Charm
Book 6: Southern Sass
Novella: Southern Hearts
Southern Spice
Derrick Nash knows the pain of loss. But is he seeking justice or revenge? He doesn’t care as long as someone pays the price.
It is Casey Collin’s duty at FEMA to help those in need when a natural disaster strikes. After a tornado hits Honeywell, she finds there are more problems than just storm damage. Will she follow company procedures or her heart?
Can Derrick move forward without the answers he’s been searching for? Can Casey teach him how to trust again? Or will she need to face the fact that not every story has a happy ending?
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Turchetta’s Promise Series:
Book 1: For Honor (FREE!)
Book 2: For Hope
Book 3: For Justice
Book 4: For Truth
Book 5: For Passion
Book 6: For Love
Book 7: For Keeps
For Honor
Looking for a new Romantic Intrigue? Then you will love the Turchetta’s. You met them in both the Betting On You Series as well as Barrington Billionaires Series. Now it is time for an up close look into their lives.
Rafe Turchetta may have retired from the Air Force, but his life was still dedicated to fighting the injustice of the world. There was one offense that went so wrong, and it will haunt him, as it continues to destroy him on the inside.
Deanna Glenn was being tortured by a tragedy, one that she couldn’t share with anyone. Time was running out and she needed the lies to cease before she started to believe them herself.
Healing meant returning to where it all went horribly wrong years ago. For Deanna she needed to take on a new identity. For Rafe, that meant doing whatever he needed to in order to get her to speak the truth.
When danger rears its ugly head will Rafe follow his heart and protect Deanna even if it means never learning the truth? Or will Deanna sacrifice her happiness and expose it all?
Books by Ruth Cardello
ruthcardello.com
Books by Danielle Stewart
authordaniellestewart.com
Do you like sweet romance? You might enjoy Lena Lane
www.lenalanenovels.com
By Jeannette Winters & Lena Lane
Muse and Mayhem Series
Book 1: The Write Appeal
Book 2: The Write Bride
Book 3: The Write Connection(2019)
The Billionaire's Scandal (The Blank Check Series Book 3) Page 17