He gathered her in his arms.
“I’m so sorry,” she cried.
“You were scared.” He slid his hand down her back. “I am, too, baby.” He drew back, gazing into her eyes. “Scared of losing you because you have this warped belief that my tour, or anything else, could possibly be more important than you are. I know you’re afraid we can’t do things together outside of Oak Falls because you might have a seizure and that I’ll resent you for it. I understand your fears, baby, but they don’t hold water. I came to Oak Falls looking for a break, and I found the truest, deepest love imaginable with you, my wild thing, the girl who outshines everyone and everything around her.”
Her breathing hitched, her face wet with tears.
“If you think I’m walking away because we’ll face a few challenges in our lifetime, then you’ve got another thing coming, Amber Montgomery. I messed up by not waking up when you got up to use the bathroom, but I’ll never make that mistake again, because now we have rules, our own playbook. You need to wake me up before you leave the bed, and if you drop the ball, we’ll punt it to your mother to train a second dog whose only job is to wake me when you get out of bed at night.”
She nodded, too choked up to speak.
“There’s nothing we can’t figure out together.” He picked up a handful of stars from the coffee table and handed them to her.
She looked down at them. “They’re blank.”
“We’re a team, baby. Those are for you to fill out. That’s how love works. You can write any rules you want, but I have veto rights, so don’t get any ideas about a hall pass for Zac Efron.”
Overwhelmed with love for this incredible man, she could do little more than try to remember how to breathe.
“I want to go with you to talk to your doctor and figure out what we can do to further manage your seizures. If he says we can never travel again, then that’s what we’ll do. But I hope he doesn’t, because you deserve to see the world. I want to show you those famous bookstores and everything else you want to see, in low-key trips that include lots of rest. I don’t care if it takes us thirty years to see nine bookstores, as long as we’re together, and if I need to follow you like a shadow to keep you safe while we do it, I’m there, baby. I’m your man.”
“Dash,” she choked out.
“Let me finish, please. You got a penalty, remember? Now I have the ball.” He took all of the stars and set them on the table. Then he took her left hand in his and dropped to one knee.
She tried to swallow past the lump forming in her throat, fresh tears raining down her cheeks.
“Amber Montgomery, I thought I fell in love with you right here in your bookstore the first night we packaged your dirty books, but I was wrong. I think I fell the first second I saw you at the jam session, and I have fallen deeper in love with you every day since. I want to build a life with you here in Oak Falls where we shared our first kiss and made out under the bleachers. I love your big life in this small town, baby, where everyone knows your name and the dirty grandmas take me to breakfast.” He laughed a little. “I want babies any way we can get them, because how they get here isn’t nearly as important as how we love them. We’ll teach them about acorns and football and keep them away from your naughty book club novels.”
She laughed.
“I want to take moonlight walks and collect so many acorns we have to build a second house to hold them all. I gave you the wrong jewelry box last night, sweetheart. I should have given you this one.” He grabbed a ring box from behind a vase and opened it, revealing the most gorgeous sparkling diamond engagement ring Amber had ever seen. A stunning square canary diamond sat up high, with several smaller diamonds running down the sides of the band. “My sweet, secret sexy reader, I love you with all that I have and all that I am. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me, so no matter where we are, you’ll always be with family?”
With wet cheeks and a giddy heart, she exclaimed, “Yes!”
“Yes?” Dash pushed to his feet, and she threw her arms around him, repeating, “Yes!” as he pressed his lips to hers.
Her office door flew open, and cheers rang out as her entire family, save for Axsel, who was still on tour, and all three of her sisters’ husbands ran into the room, clapping and shouting “Congratulations” as Dash twirled her around, kissing her, both of them laughing.
“You brought Pepper and Grace home! What if I said no?”
Dash cocked an arrogant grin. “Have you seen the way you look at me? Baby, we were made for each other.” He sealed that truth with a kiss as sweet and everlasting as their love.
Chapter Twenty-Three
THE MANSION AT Hilltop Vineyards had been transformed into a winter wonderland for Zev and Carly’s wedding reception. Elegant chandeliers hung from cathedral ceilings, and miles of white silk, sparkling lights, and greenery trailed along exposed wooden rafters. A fire roared in the two-story stone fireplace, flanked with floor-to-ceiling windows offering picturesque views of the snowy vineyard and, just beyond, the small town of Pleasant Hill, Maryland. But those views didn’t compare to the woman standing a few feet away from Dash.
He couldn’t take his eyes off Amber, feminine and beautiful in a sexy peach lace dress. He pictured her fifty years from now, with gray hair, her face mapped with wrinkles, still outshining everyone else. He knew he’d be even more captivated by her, because their home would be full of acorns and scrawled sentiments, and their hearts would be full of a lifetime of loving memories.
She stood by the dance floor with Pepper and Trixie, but he could tell she was only half listening to them. She had that dreamy look in her eyes that he adored as she watched Zev and Carly slow dancing, surrounded by couples grooving to the fast beat. Was his girl thinking about Christmas night, when it had snowed and they’d gone outside to dance in the moonlight? Or was she dreaming of their wedding day next summer? Dash would marry her tomorrow, but he wanted to give her the most magical wedding that had ever taken place, and that took planning. They’d already enlisted Lindsay’s help. Amber had raved about Carly’s formfitting gown that Jillian’s twin, Jax, an elite wedding-gown designer, had made for her, and he had a feeling a wedding dress took some planning, too.
As he made his way to her, he thought about the whirlwind weeks that had passed since he’d proposed. He’d missed five days of his book tour while they’d spoken with her doctor and figured out their plans, and Amber had insisted that he make those days up at the end of the tour. She’d been right to push him. When he’d announced the rescheduling and their engagement, his fans had rallied in support. The doctor had added another medication to Amber’s regimen to try to ward off more seizures. In the month and a half since, she’d been seizure-free, Dash had moved in, and they’d made modifications to their lifestyle with the hopes of Amber eventually being able to forgo the additional medication. They hadn’t done anything crazy, but they’d taken her sisters’ advice and were going to bed earlier. They still went dancing at JJ’s and got together with friends, but when they knew they’d have a busy weekend, they planned more downtime around the events. Like they had today. They’d stayed at the hotel last night, slept in this morning, and after having brunch with some of the Bradens and Amber’s family, they’d gone back to the hotel to chill before the wedding.
After resting, they’d snuck in a sexy shower. As he slid his arms around her from behind, he couldn’t wait to strip that dress off her again. He kissed her cheek, whispering to keep from interrupting Pepper and Trixie’s conversation. “This is pretty magical.”
“It sure is,” she said breathily.
“But it’s not nearly as magical as ours will be. Guess who has a consult with Jax tomorrow for her wedding gown?”
Amber turned in his arms, her eyes dancing with excitement. “Are you kidding?”
“Would I kid about that?”
“Dash!” She threw her arms around him.
Pepper gave them a curious look.
He’d gotten to know Amber’s serious-minded, sharp-witted sister when he’d called and asked her to come home for the proposal. They’d talked for nearly two hours, just as he had with Grace, Reed, and Axsel. Although Axsel hadn’t been able to make it for the proposal, he’d video chatted with them while they were all celebrating. They’d spent Thanksgiving with his family and Christmas with hers. She’d gotten so close with his sisters, they texted her all the time, and he’d not only gotten to know her family better, but he’d also gotten to know Trixie, Jillian, and Amber’s other friends who were like family. He’d thought about planning future visits so those close friendships would never feel too far away for Amber, but he had a feeling with their wedding and Nick and Trixie’s coming up, the girls would be in constant contact.
“What did we miss?” Pepper asked.
“We’re meeting with Jax tomorrow to talk about my wedding gown!” Amber exclaimed, and the girls all talked at once about how much fun Amber was going to have.
Morgyn and Jillian hurried over, and there was another uproar of excitement. Dash stepped back, giving them space, loving how everyone gushed over his girl.
He felt a heavy hand on his shoulder seconds before Cade appeared by his side with Reed and Graham. He and the guys had gotten tight. But Cade was becoming more like the father he’d always wished he’d had. The evening after Amber’s last seizure, when he’d clued Cade and Marilynn in to his plans to propose, he’d worried that they might think he was too much for her, and he’d been ready to fight that battle. But they’d told him that they knew he’d move heaven and earth for her, that their love was meant to be, and they’d be proud to have him as a son-in-law.
“And I thought football huddles got loud,” Dash joked.
“Get used to it, son,” Cade said. “Women are a whole different species.”
“They have homing devices for gossip,” Graham said.
“Speaking of gossip, Sin and Clay were telling me that you’re thinking about creating some kind of fitness app and looking into buying a facility to open a gym,” Reed said.
“Please tell me Dash’s Darlings aren’t going to lose their morning motivator.” Nana had coined that name for their morning workout group. Cade lowered his voice and said, “Those morning workouts have led to more energy in the evenings, if you know what I mean. I’d hate to lose that.”
They all chuckled.
“No worries there, Cade. I’ll be working out with my ladies until they get sick of me. I’m talking with people about an app, and I would like a better fitness facility that’s close to home. But I think for now I’d like to focus on being the best fiancé I can be. Maybe after Maui I’ll take the next step.” They’d decided to go to Hawaii for their honeymoon, and if they made it through that trip seizure-free, they’d plan the first trip to see another famous bookstore.
He glanced at Amber chatting with her sisters and friends, and her radiant smile widened, hitting him square in the center of his chest. Taking a break and going to Oak Falls had been the best thing he’d ever done, second only to asking that bookish belle to marry him.
“I’M SO HAPPY for Zev and Carly,” Trixie said, watching Zev and Carly make their way around the room after holding hands, kissing, mingling.
They’d cut the cake about an hour ago, and then Amber’s father had absconded with her fiancé. Fiancé. She loved the sound of that and glanced at her gorgeous engagement ring.
“I remember when I first met Zev. He seemed so unsettled, like he was looking for something,” Pepper said. “Which makes sense, since he’s a treasure hunter, but I don’t get the same vibe from him anymore.”
“That’s because he finally realized what my family has known all along,” Jillian said. “He’d been searching for Carly, and he just didn’t know it.” She looked across the room at her cousin Victoria, Clay’s sister, who was waving her over. “I’ll be right back.”
Amber had never gone searching for love, but she’d spent a lifetime dreaming of it, imagining a future she was never quite sure she’d get. Now her dreams were coming true, and she could see them all so clearly. She glanced across the room at her one true love, who was talking with her father and brothers-in-law. Dash was striking in a black vest and slacks, his muscular arms straining against the material of his dress shirt. He was gorgeous in everything he wore. Even more so wearing nothing at all. Memories of the sexy shower they’d shared that morning rolled in, heating her cheeks. They’d spent the afternoon reading her latest book club novel, which had led to acting out their steamy revisions.
As if Dash sensed her thoughts, he looked over, and a slow grin slid across his handsome face, causing a swarm of the butterflies in her belly that had hit her the first time she’d seen Dash and had never left.
Would she ever get used to being so in love? So utterly and completely happy?
Jillian rejoined the group, grabbing Amber’s and Trixie’s arms. “You guys! You’ll never believe what just happened!”
“One of the hot Whiskeys asked you out?” Trixie asked.
All of Carly’s friends from Colorado had come to the wedding, including the Whiskeys, a biker family who owned a therapeutic horse ranch, had helped Carly through some rough times, and had several good-looking siblings.
“Ha! I wish. Sable’s dirty dancing with Dare Whiskey. That man has got moves,” Jillian said. “If Victoria hadn’t just given me the best news ever, I would definitely be planning a trip to Colorado right now.”
“Is she the one that runs Blank Space Entertainment?” Pepper asked.
“Yes. She’s the one who hooked me up with Johnny Butthead.” Jillian winced. “I mean, Johnny Bad. I’d better stop doing that before spring, when I go to New York to meet with him!” She let out a little squeal. “His tour is back on, and guess who’s designing his wardrobe?”
Amber and Trixie exchanged uneasy glances.
“Congratulations,” Pepper said. “But didn’t he jerk you around before?”
“Yes, and she was pissed at him,” Trixie said.
“I still am,” Jillian said far too happily. “But that’s not going to stop me from designing his wardrobe. This is a huge boon for my business, and it gives me time to do a little matchmaking for you know who before I get swept up in the project.” She looked across the room at Jax, talking with Nick. “Apparently sparks flew between Jax and a potential client, and he’s been off his game ever since.”
“Be careful, Jilly,” Trixie said. “You might be twins, but Jax is pretty private about his personal life. He might not appreciate matchmaking.”
Jillian smirked. “We’ll see about that, and then we’ll see about Johnny Bad.”
“Well, I’m thrilled about your new endeavor. Congratulations,” Amber said. “I hope it works out this time.”
Jillian arched a finely manicured brow, looking as fierce as she was petite. “It will. I’m going to march in there and give Johnny a piece of my mind. When I’m done with him, he’ll never jerk me around again.”
“If you came after me like that, I’d behave,” Pepper said. “Congratulations.”
“He seemed pretty arrogant when I met him,” Amber said. “I wouldn’t expect him to back off as easily as Pepper. I think you might be about to meet your match.”
“Oh, please. You’ve seen me in action. Shutting him down will be like taking candy from a baby.” Jillian wrinkled her nose. “Wait, that’s not easy, is it? It’ll be like…”
“Fireworks!” Pepper exclaimed.
“Right. And I’m lighting them!” The band began playing “Single Ladies,” and Jillian danced in place. “I need to work off some of this energy. Come on, let’s take over the dance floor.”
Amber saw Dash heading her way. “Actually, I think my dance partner is on his way over.”
“That man looks like a tiger on the prowl. I’m totally jealous,” Jillian said, and then she and the others headed to the dance floor.
As Dash approached, his dark eyes said, I love you and I
want you, just as Amber was sure hers did. Her time of sitting on the sidelines, watching life pass her by felt like they’d happened in another lifetime. She loved being the envy of all those single ladies, and her dashing prince was everything she could ever want and so much more.
“Excuse me, beautiful. Is your name Amber?”
“Why, yes, it is,” she played along, loving this side of him.
“Your name is written all over my dance card. Think you can fit me in?”
“I’m not sure. My card is kind of full,” she teased.
“Damn.” He puffed out his chest and rolled up his sleeves, revealing his thick forearms. “Maybe this will convince you.” He dipped her over his arm, kissing her sweet and slow, leaving her breathless and Jell-O-legged. He steadied her on her feet, flashing a cocky grin. “What do you say?”
“I can fit you in, if there are more of those on the horizon.”
“I think that can be arranged.” He led her to the dance floor and spun her around as they danced to the end of the song. When the band began playing “Rewrite the Stars,” he held her close, swaying to the music, whisper-singing the lyrics with so much emotion, she got teary-eyed.
“You requested that song, didn’t you?” She had a feeling there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. “I feel like the belle of the ball again.”
“You’re not just the belle of an occasional ball, sweetheart. You’re going to be the belle of our entire wonderful life.” He twirled her around, then pulled her close again. “Buckle up, my beautiful wild thing. We’re just getting started.”
Ready for more Bradens & Montgomerys?
Fall in love with Jax Braden and Jordan Lawler
in THEN CAME LOVE
What happens when you find your soul mate but she belongs to someone else?
Famed wedding gown designer Jax Braden faces his toughest competitor yet—his heart. Passion ignites between Jax and soon-to-be bride Jordan Lawler. But honesty is everything to both of them, and neither will cross those lines. Loyalties are tested and hearts are frayed as Jax and Jordan are drawn into a love too strong to deny.
Sweet, Sexy Heart – the Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls) Page 30