“This time tomorrow, you will be Sloane Caldwell. Are you ready for that?”
She didn’t need time to think about Creed’s question. There was only one answer she could give. “Yes.”
Cassie lay in bed, too full of excitement for the next day to fall asleep, even though she was tired. Tomorrow her Dad and Sloane were getting married. That meant Sloane would never leave them. She would always live in Serenity Springs, always love them. Only…her mom had left them, so maybe, just maybe, Sloane would too.
Hugging her stuffed pony, Rainbow, tightly, Cassie whispered, “She has to stay with us forever. She has to.”
A feeling of nervousness and fear began to wash over her. If her own mother could leave them, then why would Sloane stay? Tears filled her eyes, and her bottom lip trembled, at the thought of Sloane no longer being there.
Slowly, Cassie slipped her covers off and slid from the bed, clutching Rainbow to her chest. Shadow raised his head to look at her with large, dark eyes from where he lay at the foot of her bed. “It’s okay, Shadow,” she assured him, even though she was worried it might not be.
Leaving her room, Cassie quietly made her way down the dark hallway, through the living room, stopping at the door to her Dad and Sloane’s bedroom. Normally it was closed, but not tonight. The moonlight shone in from a window, and she could see Sloane lying on one side of the bed. Crossing the room, Cassie stopped hesitantly by the bed, not wanting to wake her up.
Sloane was so pretty. She had captured Cassie’s heart the moment they met, and now Cassie could not imagine being without her. “Please don’t leave us, Sloane,” she whispered softly.
There was a slight movement, and then Sloane held out her arms, “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.”
With a soft cry, Cassie crawled onto the bed, snuggling close to Sloane, soft sobs escaping. “I was afraid you might move away someday.”
“Why would I do that, when I have everything I need right here?”
Cassie was quiet for a moment before she said. “My mom left.”
Sloane gently stroked her hair back from her face before she murmured, “Your mom wasn’t happy living in a small town, Cassie. I am very happy here. Not only that, but I love both you and your daddy very much. There isn’t anywhere in the world that I would rather be, than right here with you.”
Cassie sighed, resting her head on the pillow and closing her eyes. “Sloane?” she whispered, trying so hard not to fall asleep. What she had to ask Sloane was very important.
“Yes?”
“Can I call you Mom?”
There was a soft gasp, and then Cassie felt Sloane’s arms tighten around her as she placed a kiss on her forehead. “Yes, baby. I would love that.”
Chapter 12
Sloane stood in the living room of the ranch house, waiting for her cue to go to the back for the ceremony. Her father was keeping an eye on things, and would be coming to get her when it was time. The bridesmaids and Cassie were lined up just outside the back door, and the music would start soon.
Startled by the sound of the front door opening, Sloane swung around, gasping at the sight in front of her. Justice shut the door behind him, and crossed the space between them. Taking her hands in his, he smiled. “Thank you for the ass-kicking, Sloane. I needed it.”
Sloane swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to escape. Ignoring the fact that it could wrinkle her dress, Sloane threw her arms around his neck and held him close. “I’m so glad you’re here, Justice.”
“Me too.”
Leaning back, she glanced down at his dark suit, blue button down shirt, and matching tie.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t have time to get a tux.”
Shaking her head, she smiled through her tears. There was one in the bunkhouse for him, but it was too late to change. Besides, he didn’t need it. He was there. That was all that mattered. “You are perfect the way you are,” she told him, kissing him softly on the cheek before turning him toward the back door. “Go. The wedding party is just outside. Stand up with your brother.” Before he left, she called his name. When he turned back, she whispered, “Thank you.”
Creed stood under the arch at the front of several white chairs that were filled with family and friends. Several people also stood off to the side, because they’d miscalculated how many people would actually attend the wedding. It seemed as if the whole damn town was there. Reaching up, he tugged at the collar of his shirt, looking forward to the time where he would be able to pop open the top two buttons and remove the tie.
When the music started, he lowered his arm, and watched intently as one-by-one, his brothers walked down the aisle with one of the bridesmaids. Wondering who was going to walk the last woman down, his eyes widened in surprise when he saw Hope’s arm linked through Justice’s. He fought the urge to go to his brother, but as soon as they were halfway to him, he could not wait any longer. Not giving a damn who saw, Creed swiftly closed the distance between them and hauled Justice into a hug, clapping him on the back. This was all Sloane’s doing. His whole family was here because she loved him enough to make it happen.
Drawing back, he grinned, “Glad to have you here, little brother.”
Justice chuckled, “Your soon-to-be wife is a force to be reckoned with.”
“That she is,” Creed agreed, proudly.
“Let’s go get you married,” Justice said, letting him go and reaching over to take Hope’s hand and slip it back into the crook of his arm. He waited for Creed to return to his place under the arch, before finishing the walk down the aisle and standing by Linc and Caiden. Creed smiled as Cassie began to make her way down the long, dark-red runner, throwing flower petals out in front of her, impatiently waiting for his bride.
She was a vision in white when she appeared at the end of the aisle in front of him, taking his breath away. He had waited so long for this day to come, and it was finally here. His eyes never left Sloane as she walked toward him on her father’s arm. And when Jack placed her hand in his, Creed thanked him, swallowing hard as he reached up to gently caress her cheek.
He listened as Jersey began the ceremony, but his mind was on the beautiful woman next to him. And when it came time to slide the wedding band on her finger, he spoke his vows to her loud and clear, adding his own words at the end. “You are everything to me, Sloane. My love, my life. You have given me more than I could ever hope for, more than you could possibly imagine. You are my best friend, a wonderful mother to our daughter, and I am so blessed and honored that you have chosen me to spend the rest of your life with.” Sloane’s eyes filled with tears at his words, and several slipped free, running down her cheeks. He gently wiped them away as he whispered, “I love you now, and will for eternity.”
Sloane moved closer to him, holding his hand tightly as she forced her trembling fingers to push the wedding band she’d chosen for him on his ring finger. She repeated her vows after Jersey, love for him shining brightly from her eyes, and before he knew it, the minister was pronouncing them husband and wife. Not wasting any time, he pulled his wife close and settled his lips on hers as loud cheers rose around them.
“Normally the husband actually waits for me to tell them to kiss the bride,” Jersey teased.
Creed drew back and smiled at Sloane. “We don’t do normal around here, Jersey,” he said, before tugging Sloane back for another kiss.
“I’m beginning to figure that out,” Jersey replied, laughter in her voice.
Suddenly flower petals were falling around them, Cassie’s giggles filling the air. Creed laughed, bending down to pick her up, holding both of his girls close as Cassie once again threw a handful of petals over them. “We’re a family now, Daddy!”
“Yes,” he agreed, kissing her on the cheek, “we are.”
About the Author
I have a wonderful, supportive husband and three beautiful children. I enjoy spending time with all of them which normally involves some baseball, shooting hoops, taking walks,
watching movies, and reading.
My passion for reading began at a very young age and only grew over time. Whether I was bringing home a book from the library, or sneaking one of my mom's romance novels to read by the light in the hallway when we were supposed to be sleeping, I always had a book.
I read several different genres and subgenres, but Paranormal Romance and Romantic Suspense are my favorites.
I have always made up my own stories, and have just recently decided to start sharing them. I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
A Caldwell Wedding (Serenity Springs) Page 6