by Abby Knox
Val and I went to three different menswear shops before we found one willing and able to outfit all three of us oversized Hanson boys for this shindig. So, I was a little put out when Jay asked Marty to pick up his suit for him last night, but I understood. Trying to remember that the construction business is its own kind of stress, I decided that this little blip was no big deal. Besides, I’d told myself, he’d be at the vineyard first thing the morning of the wedding, and if something didn’t fit right, Millie would be there to help; she is a whiz with a needle and thread.
But when he didn’t even show up that morning, I called him up on his phone. He let my call go to voicemail. When I called again, he answered, and gave some hurried, half-assed excuse, but promised to be there.
And now this feels like a kick in the nuts.
Something else is going on here, I think. Maybe he really is pissed that I’m getting married before him. Shit. That’s some dumbass behavior. I’m standing under a grape arbor waiting for my bride, and all I can think about is my rude ass brother.
The acoustic quartet strikes up some jazzy improvised cover of a traditional bridal march. It sounds bonkers to my ears, but what my Val wants for her wedding, my Val gets.
My seething annoyance at my brother and the music quickly fade into nonexistence as soon as I see my bride.
Shane, dressed in a tiny version of my morning suit, escorts his mother up the stone walkway toward us. Val wears a flowing peasant dress in what I would call dark pink but she calls magenta, topped with, obviously, a matching gauzy scarf that trails behind her in the breeze. She looks like an angel that could float away at any moment.
The idea that anything could be wrong seems ridiculous. Shane and Val stand in front of me now, and I’m so overwhelmed by the vision of my bride that I don’t notice Shane’s hesitation at first.
My soon-to=be stepson, now 5, looks very serious and says to me, apropos of nothing, “Superman vs. the Megaladon. Who do you think would win?”
Without hesitation, I reply, “Superman.”
Shane seems satisfied with my answer and lets go of his mother’s hand, watching as she takes my proffered arm.
“Thanks, buddy,” I say to him.
The kid nods and without another word, takes his spot next to me. Val and I take a moment to let out some nervous laughter. It doesn’t matter what else happens, because today I marry my soul mate, on top of a hill overlooking rows of grapevines, the aroma of ripening fruit wafting over us in the breeze. The sun is shining, and our small assembly of guests look happy and excited. Murphy and Alicia are in attendance with their baby boy, as well as everyone from the precinct in full dress uniforms. Millie, who is Val’s maid of honor, looks proud of me. Even Marty, the one groomsman who did bother to show up, gives me a brotherly nod without a hint of sarcasm. It’s the best day of my life. I have nothing to complain about.
Then, just as our officiant begins to say, “Dearly Beloved,” we hear some chuckling behind us, a scampering of feet and a whispered, “excuse me, I’m so sorry.”
I jerk my head in the direction that the startled officiant is staring, and I see Jenny, Millie’s best friend, making her way to the last available seat, having to scoot past some of the other guests. I glance back at Val, who also seems confused at the disturbance and looks back at me. Her eyes widen at a presence behind me. I whirl around and see that it’s Jay.
Sheepish isn’t quite the word. Flushed and mortified might better describe Jay’s face. I smile and shake his hand and we give each other a brief brotherly hug. I smile, but hiss through my teeth, “Nice of you to join us.”
He replies in my ear. “Sorry, man. I’ll explain later.”
Whatever. I’ve got vows to exchange and the vineyard has a limited window of time allotted for this ceremony.
I rub my palms together expectantly. “All right, Padre, let’s get the show on the road.” This elicits another chuckle from the guests and a head shake from Val, who’s trying her best not to laugh at me.
I whisper, “Sorry,” giving her my best little-boy grin.
She raises one eyebrow. “I had a feeling it was going to go like this.”
“You consult your horoscope for today?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Experience.” She beckons me with her index finger to lean in so she can say something in my ear. “You can make it up to me later.”
Her whispers and scent up close to me like this nearly makes me drool. For a second I forget where I am; I’m about to reply with something super dirty until the officiant clears his throat.
Both of us blushing, we clasp hands and get on with the ceremony. I won’t remember much about the next few moments other than the sight of this sweet creature who wants me by her side for the rest of our lives.
My wife won’t ever need to read my aura to know how lucky I feel.
About the Author
Abby Knox lives a dual life. Fantasy Abby would love to live on a farm with goats, bees, chickens, donkeys and alpaca, making her own soap, yarn, honey and cheese. Reality Abby has no desire to do actual farm work. So, the ever-pragmatic Reality Abby keeps Fantasy Abby happy by putting her into adorable little works of romantic fiction with her pretend hobbies. Both Abbies hope you enjoy her sweet, sexy — sometimes a little over the top and weird — storytelling.
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Also by Abby Knox
Need more stand-alone short reads and novellas?
Check out Abby’s other titles!
Shacking Up
Maid for the Billionaire
Doctor Dave
Fighting For Dylan (book four in a six-author MMA series!)
Hot Off The Press
The Halloween Bet
The Christmas Pickup (a holiday short read full of feels, quirky characters and one hot tow truck driver!)
Saved for Me
(a special Holidays with Alexa Riley story)
Matched for Me (A Valentine’s Day story with Fletcher from Saved for Me)
Off-Season Stud (a fun and sexy vacation trope with an OTT ending!)
In the mood for a beachy rock-n-roll combo?
Beach Avenue Babes
His Vinyl Vixen (a stand alone for the rock ’n’ roll nerd in all of us)
Her Hi-Fi Hunk (Dusty and Jed from His Vinyl Vixen)
The Greenbridge Academy series
Swim Coach (book one)
Grumpy Dad (book two)
Benefactor (book three)
Headmistress (book four)
Queen Bee (book five)
Bake Sale Queen (book six)
The Very Good Boy Duet
Fencing Her In (A bad neighbors to lovers story. With a lot of dogs. You need this in your life.)
Doing Him Good (An insta-love, sowing-his-wild-oats whirlwind romance.)
Need more?
From the Small-Town Bachelor Romance Series
(each can be read as a stand-alone, but if you want to read in order … this is the order)
Take Me Home
Game Face
Written in the Stars, a special Christmas edition
Walk With Me
Stay the Night
I’ve Got You
Come And Get It
The Windy City Holiday Duet
Pumpkin and Spice
Comfort and Joy