“I don’t think I can get across this.”
“Ouch.” Max peered at the scratch on my skin. “Here.” He pulled off his shirt and spread it across the sandpaper.
“Thanks!” I smiled at him and crawled across using his shirt to protect me. When I got over to the other side, the shirt was in shreds. “How are you going to get across?”
Max gritted his teeth. “I’ll get across.” He started to climb on.
“No! Wait!” I hesitated a moment. Then I pulled off my shirt and spread it over the obstacle for him. Luckily, I was wearing a sports bra, but I still felt pretty naked.
“Thanks, Sammy, but now you’re really distracting.” He winked at me and crawled over.
My shirt became tattered by the rough surface as well.
We crawled through the sticky mess together.
“Ugh.” The smell was enough to make me want to vomit.
“We got this. We’re almost done!”
“I’m going, I’m going.” I laughed in Max’s direction.
The last obstacle spun so fast it seemed impossible to get over.
“We’re going to have to do it together—at the same time.” He grabbed my hand.
We scrambled up on top of the spinning tube, only to get thrown off. Over and over we hit the ground.
“I don’t know if we’re going to make it.” I frowned.
“Hey, we got this far.” Max was out of breath and covered in sweat. “We can’t give up now.”
I thought about what Will had said about hobbling down the aisle. As sore as my body was, I could see hobbling as a real possibility.
“Alright, one more time.”
We grabbed onto each other and held on tight as we fought the spin of the tube. When we hit the ground again I groaned, but Max cheered. “We did it!”
“What?” I opened my eyes. We were on the other side of the obstacle. “We did it!” I grabbed his hands and jumped up and down with him. We didn’t even mind that other couples rushed past us to the finish line.
We may not have won the race, but we won something much better.
Max and I were a team again.
Chapter 28
It took two full days for me to recover from the race. My body was still a little sore when it was time for the bridal shower.
I pulled on the dress I’d chosen for the party and heard the door of my apartment open.
“Babe?”
“I’m in here.”
“Are you excited?”
“Very.” I laughed, walking out to greet Max.
He wore a t-shirt and jeans. It didn’t matter what he wore, he was always gorgeous to me.
“Wow, you look amazing.” He took my hand and spun me around in a circle. “Are you sure I can’t go with you?”
“Not this time.” I grinned.
“Alright, fine.” He stuck his bottom lip out. I kissed it.
“Don’t worry. Tomorrow I’m all yours.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I like the sound of that.”
I grinned. “It’s your last night of freedom. What are you going to do?”
“Spend it thinking of you.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Well, we did agree, no strippers, remember?”
“I remember. I already told Stephanie.” I shook my head. “I’m sure we’ll just have some really good food.”
“Sounds like a great way to spend the evening.”
We leaned in to kiss. Before our lips had a chance to meet, a horn blared outside my apartment. Then a second horn sounded.
“Our rides are here.” I laughed.
We walked out of the apartment together. Stephanie stuck her head out of the sunroof of a limousine.
“Wow! I wasn’t expecting this!”
“Only the best for my bestie!” Stephanie winked at me and hopped out of the limo. She hugged me and then scowled at Max. “Aren’t you supposed to be over there?” She pointed to the jeep filled with his friends.
“I’m going, I’m going!” He smiled at me.
“Okay, it’s time to party!” Stephanie tugged me into the limousine.
I blew a kiss to Max as he was pulled into his friend’s jeep. My heart tugged a little at the thought of him being out partying all night with his friends. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him, it was just that most of the time, I’d rather spend my time with him.
Stephanie filled a glass of champagne for me and the limo took off down the road. Soon I was swept up in the festivities. We had a delicious meal at one of the trendiest restaurants in town. As I ate the food I’d denied myself for so long, I made a few noises of appreciation.
“Wow, sounds like someone is practicing for the honeymoon.” Stephanie winked. Everyone at the table laughed.
“I’m sorry, it’s just so good! Food is good!”
Everyone laughed even louder. Stephanie leaned close. “Wait until you see what’s for dessert.”
“What do you mean?” I narrowed my eyes. All of a sudden the lights in the private room of the restaurant went out. “Is there a power outage?”
All of the women around me giggled. Then I heard a steady bass. It pounded through the room. One light clicked on. A man in a firefighter uniform stood in the light. He threw off his long jacket to reveal a perfect chest.
“No!”
“Isn’t he beautiful?” Stephanie giggled.
“No!” I stood up from the table.
“Samantha, what’s wrong?” The music got louder and the stripper began to dance.
“I promised Max no strippers, Stephanie, I told you that!”
“Oh, I didn’t think you were serious.” She frowned. “I’m sorry, I’ll get rid of him.”
I looked around at the disappointed expressions on the faces of my friends. “No, it’s fine. I’ll just go for a walk. I need one after that meal anyway.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” I smiled at her. “You ladies have fun.” I stepped out of the restaurant on to a quiet street.
Despite the fact that I was in the city, the sky was clear enough to see a few stars. As I looked up at them, I basked in the knowledge that all of my wishes had been granted.
Not everything was perfect.
I still had no idea if Max was ever going to quit his job to work with me in my publishing business. I wasn’t at my goal weight. I was also very far behind on a few chapters of my book. But I was excited about the future, and that to me, made it perfect.
Finally, I could see that life wasn’t all about making everything perfect—it was about enjoying the bumps and the curves just as much as the straightaways. Max and I had so much in store for us. I couldn’t wait to experience all that life had to offer with him by my side.
When I returned to the restaurant, the stripper was gone and my friends were quite red in the face.
“Fun?” I grinned.
“Fun.” They all agreed.
We spent the rest of the evening enjoying drinks and swapping stories. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was perfect for me.
By the time the limousine dropped me off late into the night, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.
“Night, Stephanie. Thank you so much for everything.” I hugged her.
“You’re not mad about the stripper?”
“Not at all.” I smiled. “The whole night was lovely.”
“Enjoy your last night’s sleep as a single woman, Samantha!”
I grinned. I liked the idea of that.
Chapter 29
I woke up the next morning and nearly jumped right out of my bed, I was so excited. I could barely stand the idea of waiting through the morning for our noon wedding.
It wasn’t long before my apartment was filled with the women in my life—my mother, Stephanie, and a few bridesmaids. We shared a tasty brunch before we headed out to the garden.
To accommodate the reception, and to prepare for the wedding, we’d rented a small hall near Cerulean Gardens. I walked i
n and expected it to be just a regular room. Instead, it was filled with flowers and beautiful inspirational photographs.
“Wow!” I looked around at the surroundings with a wide smile.
“Do you like it?” Will stuck his head in the room.
“I do.” I smiled at him. “Thank you, Will.”
“My job is now done.” He bowed to me. “A beautiful marriage you will have, I know you will.”
“I know I will.” My smile widened. He wiggled his fingers in a quick wave, then disappeared.
A few minutes later Stephanie and my mother stepped into the room.
“Ready to get ready?” My mother held up a curling iron, a pack of bobby pins, and a camera.
“Let’s do this.” I nodded.
After I was primped and photographed, it was time to put on the dress. Stephanie carried the dress bag in and prepared it for me to put on. As I slid into it my mother helped to slide the sleeves over my arms.
“You look amazing.” My mother’s eyes brimmed with tears. She cupped my cheeks and kissed the tip of my nose. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening.”
“Me either.” My heart fluttered so fast that I thought I might pass out. I tried to practice some of the deep breathing exercises I’d learned in meditation class.
“You’re going to be great.” Stephanie wiped away her own tears. “What a wonderful moment. Thank you for letting me share it with you.”
“There’s no one else in the world that I would want to be at my side.” I hugged her.
“Okay, ladies.” Will stuck his head into the room. “The music is playing.”
I took a deep breath and nodded.
I saw my flower girl run by with a basket full of flower petals. A high giggle escaped her. The sound reflected what I felt inside—excited, giddy, and as if all my wishes had finally come true.
As my bridesmaids lined up to walk down the aisle, there was no question in my mind that marrying Max was what I wanted above anything else that I’d ever dreamed of.
Stephanie gave me a quick smile before she began walking down the aisle as well. The beautiful gardens that surrounded me made the moment even more magical.
I took a deep breath and took my first step down the aisle. I waited for the sky to fall in, or for me to trip and fall, or for my dress to tear, but none of that happened. Instead, I met the eyes of the man of my dreams.
Max smiled at me in a way that I’d never seen before. His lips were parted and his eyes wide, and his smile spread as if it might never end. In his expression, I finally saw just how beautiful he thought I was. The sight warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. All of the time I’d wasted on feeling insecure—he honestly considered me the most beautiful woman on earth. I knew that now. I saw that in his eyes more than ever before.
As I took the next step down the aisle, I was lost in his eyes. I didn’t hear the music. I didn’t see the smiling faces. He held my gaze the entire way.
When I reached him, he held his hand out to me. I accepted it. On instinct I leaned in and kissed him full on the lips. The crowd erupted with laughter and applause.
The minister leaned forward and spoke in a soft voice. “Uh, we have a few matters we’re supposed to attend to before the kiss.”
“I’m so sorry!” My cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“I’m not.” Max grinned. He wrapped his arm around my waist and leaned me back as he offered me a sweet but passionate kiss.
“That’s it—I guess I’m not needed here.” The minister tossed his hands in the air and laughed.
When everyone settled, the ceremony continued. It was simple and sweet and I didn’t hear a word of it. I was too busy staring at Max.
“Now, Max, you may finally kiss your bride!”
Our lips met in a quick soft kiss.
As we walked down the aisle together, our friends showered us with something that I thought was rice. Then I noticed that it wasn’t rice at all. It was birdseed!
“I bet this is Will’s doing!” Max laughed.
“Hurry, before they get you.” I grabbed his hand and we ran for the car.
Chapter 30
The reception was one big party. The music was loud, the drinks were flowing, and the dance floor was packed. Max and I danced, and danced, and danced some more. Our pre-marriage kisses were the talk of the crowd. The food was wonderful.
When it came time for the cake, I realized I had no idea what flavor it would be.
“Do you know what we’re eating?” I asked Max as we sliced the cake.
“I think Will picked it.”
“White chocolate raspberry truffle.” We both spoke at the same time and then laughed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be on my best behavior.” Max smiled and fed me a dainty bite of cake.
“Very good.” I smiled as I savored the cake. “Now it’s my turn.” I took the plate, snatched up the piece of cake, and smashed it right in his face.
“Sammy!”
“Revenge is mine!” I laughed and picked up my dress as I ran.
He chased me across the dance floor with the crumbs that remained on the plate.
When it was time to leave, I was even more excited. I would finally find out where our honeymoon would be. All I knew was that we were flying, but not where we were flying to.
I ducked into the private room to change.
I stood in front of the tall mirror. Maybe it was the way it was tilted, or maybe it was the glow of knowing that I was now married to Max, but I thought I looked beautiful.
I smoothed my hand over the intricate lace of the gown. I couldn’t believe that I’d ever considered buying a different dress. It was perfect and a treasure that I’d keep with me always.
As I gazed at myself in the mirror, all of my insecurities melted away.
This was me, no matter what size, no matter what dress—this was the Sammy who was finally truly happy with herself. I smiled at my reflection.
“Can I come in?”
My heart raced at the sound of Max’s voice outside the door. My husband’s voice. It made me giddy with excitement to be able to think of him that way.
“Sure, come in.”
I watched in the mirror as he stepped inside the small room. Dressed in his tuxedo, he was handsome in a way that consumed all of my senses. He paused just inside the door and stared at me.
“I’m never going to forget the way you look tonight.”
“That’s funny, I was just thinking the same thing.” I laughed. “Do you want to help me unzip? I need to get changed for the drive to the airport. It might help if I knew what I should change into.”
“Oh? Then good thing I brought this.” He held up a small gift bag and smiled at me.
“What’s that?” I turned to face him.
“It’s a surprise.” He wiggled it around in front of me with a wild grin.
I snatched at the bag and laughed when he whipped it out of my grasp.
“Aren’t you going to give it to me?”
“Yes.” He reached up and ran a hand along my shoulders until he found the zipper of my dress. He eased it down enough so that I’d be able to step out of it. “But only if you promise me something.”
I started to turn to look at him, but he steered me in the direction of the mirror. “Will you do that?”
“What do you want me to promise?” I asked, looking at his reflection in the mirror.
“That you’ll wear it—no arguments.” He held my gaze in the mirror.
“Can’t I take a peek first?” I grinned.
“Do you trust me, Sammy?” He kissed the side of my neck.
“You know I do.”
“Do you know that I love you?” He kissed the other side of my neck.
“Yes, I do.”
“Then promise me, you’ll wear it.” His eyes shimmered in the mirror. Was it the light in the room reflected off the glass or the excitement he felt? I wasn’t sure.
“Okay.” I swallowed hard. “
I promise.”
“Wonderful.” He held out the bag to me. “You probably won’t need it until we get there. You don’t have to worry about packing, Stephanie already did that for you.”
“Oh, that’s why she was snooping in my closet!” I laughed.
Max wiggled his eyebrows and kissed my cheek. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, Sammy.” He smiled and walked out of the room.
I couldn’t wait a second longer to look into the bag. When I saw what was inside, my jaw dropped. Of all the things I’d expected it might be, this was not it.
I pulled out a stylish navy blue bikini bathing suit. I couldn’t remember a time in my life that I’d ever worn a bikini.
“No way! I can’t wear this!”
I thought about calling Max back to explain to him why I couldn’t and then it hit me.
Max was proud of me. My husband was proud of my body and he wanted me to show it off. Was that such a terrible thing?
I smiled at the thought of feeling the water and the sun striking parts of my body that were usually covered up. Still, the thought of being so exposed—with what I still considered a less than perfect body—made my heart race.
But I’d made a promise—the first promise of our marriage. I hoped I would be brave enough to keep it.
“Well, I guess we’re going somewhere warm.” I smiled and grabbed the change of clothes that I’d packed. I slipped out of my dress and left it on the hanger beside the mirror. Stephanie had promised to take care of everything for me.
After I changed, I headed out the door to meet Max, the gift bag dangling from my finger, ready to begin the first of many adventures with my husband—with my best friend and the love of my life.
Single Wide Female in Love
(Book 4)
The Wife
By
Lillianna Blake
Copyright © 2015 Lillianna Blake
Cover design by Beetiful Book Covers
All rights reserved.
LilliannaBlake.com
Chapter 1
I jabbed at the keyboard with one pointing finger. After almost an hour spent in an attempt to get my latest book formatted correctly, I was ready to jab it with a hammer instead.
“Why?” I glared at the screen. “Do what you are supposed to do!”
“Shouldn’t I be the one saying that?” Max leaned against the doorway of the bathroom and smiled at me.
Single Wide Female in Love Complete Bundle: Books 1-4 Page 28