Rocky led me out to the middle of the reception room floor as Blake Shelton’s voice filled the room with “God Gave Me You.” We’d danced together before in the living room at the farm house but tonight was special. The lyrics talked about staying in this moment for the rest of time and not missing a thing. I intended to live the rest of my life with that motto. Each minute that we spent together would be something precious and I’d work at not taking it for granted just like I said in my vows.
There would be tough times. We were both too volatile and hot-tempered to expect there would never be a fight or argument. They’d already weathered several in the past few months, but as long as he could take me in his arms and two step across the foyer with me, or take me upstairs and make love with me, we could make it work.
Everyone clapped when the song ended, and the band struck up a more lively country western tune. Several other couples took the dance floor, the green grass of the back yard, and Rocky took my hand and we started toward the head table where the rest of the wedding party were already seated.
“You are a beautiful bride.” A deep voice said behind me. “Congratulations to you and Rocky, both.”
“I’m glad you are here. I think the father is supposed to dance with the bride, right?” I held out my hand toward him and he took it without hesitating.
I nodded toward Graham. I was prepared with a father/daughter dance song. It might not be a traditional one but then we weren’t a typical father and daughter. The Cajun beat of the fiddles echoed off the walls with Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Twist and Shout.” In some ways it was a tribute to Mama’s Louisiana roots, in others I chose it because she loved the upbeat music.
“I was expecting something sentimental,” Edward said. “But let’s give ‘em something to talk about, Jessica.”
Lord, that man almost put me to shame with his dance moves and before it was over, I’d crooked my finger to invite Tamara to join us and the three of us put on a show for the folks. When the song ended Tamara grabbed me and Edward in a three way hug. It was the first time he’d ever shown emotion toward me and the first time that I felt a stirring in my heart toward him.
There was an awkward moment when we all stepped away from each other. Then Rocky laced his fingers in mine and led me toward the head table. Before we got there, Eva tapped me on the shoulder. “Thank you for inviting us. We hope that maybe you’ll make time for a few hours at Christmas. It would mean the world to Tamara—and to Edward and me.”
“Thank you,” Rocky said.
I nodded. “We’d love to.”
“We’ll take that business a baby step at a time,” he whispered.
“That’s the only way I can handle it,” I told him.
It was ten o’clock when we finally got away. Everyone threw rice at us as we drove away in Rocky’s truck. Rocky carried me over the threshold at the farmhouse—our honeymoon place since he didn’t have time to take off from his new job at the bank. I kicked my satin shoes off, and turned around for him to unzip my dress. When he finished, I stepped out of it and let it puddle up on the floor at the bottom of the staircase.
“I love you.” He scooped me up in my white lacy underwear, my veil trailing along on the floor behind us as he climbed the steps.
“This has been the best day of my whole life. The third wish has been granted.” I said as he laid me on our brand new king-sized bed.
“All of my wishes have come true.” He stretched out beside me and wrapped the veil around both of us, creating a cocoon for only Mr. and Mrs. Rocky Rycroft.
END
Small Town Romance Collection: Four Complete Romances & A New Novella Page 63