by Cindi Madsen
And he’d told her no, because it would mean she’d be marrying someone else and he could never watch her do that.
Stupid charming jerk, and even stupider me for thinking it was romantic at the time. Her idealized hopes and dreams had been exposed and on display, like the fool for love she’d always been.
In order to survive the rest of the evening, the walls around her heart needed to be reinforced. As in extra bricks, a layer of steel spikes, and a moat with a giant, man-eating alligator.
Think porcupine. Prickly, and if Ford dares to get close, I’ll make sure he ends up with a face full of quills.
In a non-dramatic way, of course, since I refuse to be accused of ruining another person’s wedding with my relationship fails.
I can do this, I can do this, I can do this…
Summoning every last drop of her willpower, Violet plastered on a crowd-pleasing smile and began her very last march down an aisle.
…
Razor-edged desperation seized Ford as he watched Violet head away from him on one of his best friend’s arms.
While he had no one but himself to blame, it felt as though Easton had ripped her away, and the farther and farther she got, the stronger his sense of urgency became.
She was slipping through his fingers, and not just physically. He’d seen the hurt in her eyes, quickly replaced by scorn.
Last night, by the time they’d gotten Mr. Wagner settled at the hospital in Alexander City, it’d been nearly eleven. Then a nurse insisted Ford get the scrapes and cuts on his leg tended to, ignoring his many attempts at insisting he was fine.
By the time all was said and done, he got home at one thirty in the morning. Exhausted, he fell into bed without setting an alarm and woke late. After walking the dogs, he raced to Maisy’s house to try to make things right.
Only Maisy had informed him Violet wasn’t there and refused to tell him where he could find her. While he was sure he’d see her at the wedding, he’d wanted to fix things before the ceremony.
Her phone had gone straight to voicemail, though, and now he realized she’d been with Murph and Lexi, getting ready.
“You could’ve warned me about Violet being a bridesmaid,” he whispered to Addie.
“I’m trying to avoid drama and not have a panic attack, okay? It was stressful enough that Alexandria ended up on bedrest, and I had to scramble to ensure everything went smoothly while worrying about her.
“But it’s my wedding, and I don’t have to explain anything to you. And trust me, this is the least violent of the options I considered after finding out you dumped Violet. How big of an idiot do you have to be to let someone like that get away?” Addie fired a stern expression his way. “And I say that with love.”
He’d hate to hear it without the love part. “I know I fucked up.”
“Damn right, you did.”
Mr. Murphy peeked around from Addie’s other side, his eyes wide. “Not to sound like my wife, but you two do realize we’re a handful of minutes away from standin’ in front of the preacher.”
“I’m painfully aware,” Addie said. Then she turned to Ford, her hand dropping from his arm to her hip. “Look, after this shindig, I’ll have some more words for you. Right now, I’m fixin’ to get hitched to my sexy best friend.”
That was the reality check Ford needed to pull his head out of his ass. “And I’m doin’ a shi—crappy job of being your dude of honor. I’m sorry. I’ll shut up.” He straightened and settled her hand in the crook of his elbow once again.
With everyone else in place at the front, Lucia was off and on her way.
She grabbed a handful of sunflower petals and flung them in a wide arch, one that unmistakably hit people on the edges of the walkway. She spun and flung and spread smiles to everyone around her, and Ford forced himself to focus on the wedding. On making sure Addie got every single thing she wanted today.
But then he had a thought, one that aroused his curiosity yet again, and he’d never been good at keeping his trap shut. “Here’s another thing I probably shouldn’t be asking about right now, but how’d you and Tuck smooth over your fight? The one about playing catch with your son?”
“Totally wrong moment, but I reckon we have another thirty seconds to kill. After I cooled down, Tucker came over and apologized. He told me that when he gave more thought to the idea of having kids, he realized our superior athletic genes would be passed on whether we have a son or a daughter.”
The smile that curved her lips spoke volumes about how much she loved Tucker and the idea of having a family with him. “Then he added that when it came down to it, the only thing that mattered to him was that regardless of what our future held, the most important thing was we would be going through it together.”
Addie leaned her head on Ford’s shoulder. “I get to spend my life with Tucker Crawford. Once you find the right person, the other things you thought were so important fade away.”
“Hear, hear,” Mr. Murphy added from her other side, pride beaming from the man as he grinned at his daughter.
The music switched, signaling it was time to get this show on the road.
As promised, Ford did a quick check to ensure Addie’s dress and hair were perfect, and then he started down the aisle. Right foot, left foot, Ford repeated in his head, forcing himself to walk slower than usual.
As they neared the end, he couldn’t help himself anymore. Thanks to the lightbulb moment he’d had last night, he’d already been sure he was in love with Violet and didn’t want to live without her.
As he gazed at her, the music, the decorations, everything but her faded into the background.
Throughout the ceremony, he couldn’t help glancing at her here and there.
When Tucker and Addie read their vows, a glowing, raptured expression befell Violet’s features, her watery smile stirring up emotions he didn’t realize he had: joy, empathy, and so much adoration he thought he might drown in it.
Addie promised to give Tucker the benefit of the doubt; to wear his “ratty Saints cap” on the rare occasion; and to accompany him fishing on his handcrafted boats.
Tucker vowed to only protect Addie when she asked, which he knew would be never because she was too stubborn. Then he told her she could protect him anytime.
“For a long time, the future scared me,” Tucker said. “But then I returned to Uncertainty and became certain that as long as you, Addison Diana Murphy, were in my life, it’d be full of joy, love, and happiness.”
As much as Ford hated to admit it, he’d gotten scared. He’d let other people—and his past—mess with his head.
Violet Abrams was his future, though. And as soon as the ceremony was over, he was going to do whatever it took to win her back.
Chapter Thirty
The photographer had an older camera, a giant contraption that must’ve taken weight training prep to lug around. And although Violet wanted to make suggestions, she worked on being a good subject.
Taking pictures wasn’t her job today.
Being the perfect bridesmaid was.
So she lifted her chin and stuck it out a few inches, shifted her weight onto her back leg, and popped her hip.
Not that it mattered, but Ford would see these pictures, so she’d put her best foot forward. Literally, since the photographer had them lift their skirts an inch or so as they stuck their sneakers together.
The dude of honor was on Addie’s other side, and he lifted his pants leg as well, his much-larger sneaker joining theirs. While she’d been sad about the idea of Ford cutting his hair, it made his jawline stand out and highlighted lips she’d dreamed about too often to scrub them from her mind. Short hair, long hair, beard, or trimmed scruff—like he had now—he was illegal amounts of sexy.
“Perfect,” the photographer said. “Now, let’s get the entire wedding party.”
They lined up, Lexi and Will next to Violet and Easton.
The photographer backpedaled, lowered her camera, and frowned, and Violet’s instincts went on high alert for reasons she couldn’t understand.
“Lexi and Will, you switch to the other side of the bride. Ford, you stand by…” The photographer pointed at Violet. “What was your name, sugar?”
In a trance, Violet stood helpless as she was sandwiched between Ford and Easton.
As soon as the flash went off, Ford placed a hand on her lower back. Sweet torture. Her skin hummed to life under his touch, and did he have to smell so incredible?
“I need to talk to you,” he whispered.
Violet held the tenuous grip on her smile and spoke through her teeth. “If you make drama or force me to cause a scene at this wedding, I’ll have to kill you. Then Lexi will kill you, and then Addie will revive you so she can kill you.”
“I’m not tryin’ to cause a scene. But I—”
“Just shut up and smile so we can get this over with.”
“Eyes on me, everyone,” the photographer chirped. Click, click, click.
Shift positions, pose, and do it again.
The photographer announced they were nearly done, and Violet gave a longing glance at the tables filling the reception area.
During most weddings, it was her feet begging her to take her seat. Thanks to the Chucks, her feet were sublimely comfortable, but if she didn’t get a break from being plastered against Ford’s side, she was going to have a mental breakdown.
With the last staged photo snapped, Violet strode toward the tables, but large fingers wrapped around her wrist.
“Ford, I swear,” she said as she spun to face him. She had half a mind to slug him in his devastatingly handsome face.
“Just promise that after the reception, we can talk.”
“Do you promise not to say anything else to me until then?”
Hurt flickered across his face, and a pang struck her chest. How unfair was it that she couldn’t stop caring?
“If that’s what you want,” Ford said, and she told him it was. His grip loosened, and she renewed her clipped pace, eyes on the chair Lexi had set up for her—as far away as possible from Ford.
A compromise had been struck over the dancing. Tucker and Addie had their first slow dance as a couple, swaying in the center of the area for less than a minute before the DJ asked everyone to join them.
Easton glanced at Ford, and Violet’s muscles tensed. “Don’t you dare.”
With a sigh, the cop escorted her onto the dance floor. His hand left her lower back to rub at his forehead. “It’s just… I feel responsible. I’m the one who told Ford about your record.”
She’d wondered how he’d found out, but when it came down to it, she couldn’t arouse any anger for the conflicted dude in front of her. “It’s okay. It happened, and I paid my dues. Ford’s the one who decided it was worth dumping me.”
“Yeah, but he’s dealt with a lot of volatile women. And I guess I sorta thought you might be one of them. But then I talked to Addie and Lexi, and I judged you wrongly. Now I feel like I need to make it right.”
“I’m leaving town tonight. There’s nothing to be done. Please just let it go.”
Easton didn’t appear happy about it but dropped the subject.
After the dance with the parents, there were toasts and cake cutting and more photos and a myriad of greetings and well-wishes.
As the reception wound down, Violet sought out Addie and Lexi. “Congratulations again,” she said as she hugged Addie.
“Thank you so much for stepping in. For everything.”
Lexi came over and turned their embrace into a group hug. “Are you heading out?”
Violet nodded, her throat too tight to speak.
They said their last rounds of goodbyes, and then Violet snuck away from the bustling town center. She’d have felt guiltier about breaking her promise to Ford if he hadn’t broken her heart.
She just couldn’t say goodbye to him. It was better to make a clean break, although she doubted that was a thing that even existed.
Tears filled her eyes as she changed clothes and packed the last of her stuff. So silly, crying over leaving Uncertainty, Alabama, when having to visit used to move her to tears.
…
Ford searched the crowd as people lined up to wish Addie and Tucker goodbye. Where was Violet? It shouldn’t be so hard to find a bright yellow dress.
After passing twice through the farewell line that’d formed, he darted inside the building. The rest of the gang was there, gathered in the lobby, but Violet was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s Violet?” he asked, and Addie—now dressed in her typical T-shirt and jeans—and Lexi glanced at each other. “What?”
“She’s leaving town,” Easton said. “Tonight.”
“Dude. And you decided to wait to tell me why?”
“She seemed determined. I tried to take the blame, but she said there was nothing to be done and asked me to let it go.”
“I don’t accept that.” The panic Ford felt before he’d gone full dumbass and ruined things with Violet paled in comparison to the hysteria suffocating his body now. “I love her.”
Shock transferred from face to face.
“Tell me what to do. I’m throwing myself on your mercy, begging you to tell me what to do.” His gaze homed in on the bags in Tucker and Addie’s hands. “Shit. Here I am, ruining your day again. You guys go. These guys got me.” Ford turned to Lexi, Shep, and Easton. “You guys got me, right?”
“We’ve got him,” Lexi said.
Ford gave Tucker a quick bro hug, then pulled Addie into his arms and squeezed her tight. “Enjoy your honeymoon. Love you.”
It wasn’t something he normally said, but he’d decided to learn from his mistakes.
“We don’t fly out until tomorrow morning, so send me a text letting me know how it goes with Violet.” Addie pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “I believe in you, McGuire. Always have, always will.”
A lump took up residence in his throat, and he managed to choke out a mangled goodbye.
Hand in hand, Tucker and Addie rushed out the door and down the pathway the townsfolk had formed.
As soon as they’d climbed into Tucker’s decorated truck, Ford turned to the rest of his friends. “I’ve got an idea, but I need help, and we’ve got to work fast.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Hug number three was too short, so Violet went in for hug number four, embracing Maisy once more.
Violet gave Isla’s cheek one last kiss, and then she forced herself to climb into her car and fire up the engine.
While she’d already been crying, the instant she turned onto Main Street, the tears flowed. Part of her heart would always remain in Uncertainty with Maisy, Isla, the friends she’d made, and the rest of the ragtag mix of people who made up the small town.
And okay, a piece would always belong to Ford McGuire.
Even though things didn’t work out, she wished him well as she reached the bend that would take her away from him forever.
Red and blue lights flashed behind her, and she swore. Then she checked her speedometer and discovered she was well within range.
Do I have a taillight out?
If so, she would promise to fix it, and that’d be that. To keep her in town for a few extra minutes over something so trivial seemed cruel.
However, she wasn’t the deviant her record made her seem, so she pulled to the side of the road and reached into her glovebox for her insurance and registration.
Muggy night air filtered into her car as she rolled down her window. Once she got a look at the cop, though, her irritation intensified. “Are you serious?”
Easton folded his arms across the open window. The suspenders were gone, as was the
tie, leaving him in a plain white shirt, the top couple of buttons undone, and his gray slacks. “Afraid I can’t let you leave town, ma’am. I need you to step out of the car and come with me.”
“You’re not even wearing your police uniform.”
“I’ve still got my badge.” He held it up as if that changed everything. Then he opened the door and gestured for her to climb out of the car. “I’ve been ordered to bring you to the town center.”
Instead of following his instructions, she crossed her arms. “No.”
“What are you gonna do? Call a lawyer?”
“Maybe.”
“That’d require you having one, and I know you don’t.”
“Yes I do,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “It’s…Tucker.”
Easton rolled his lips until his mouth formed a tight line. “You want me to call the man twenty minutes into his honeymoon?”
Everything inside of Violet deflated. “No.”
“That’s what I thought. Now if you’ll please come with me, we’ll have this matter resolved shortly.”
With a growl, Violet unbuckled her seat belt, grabbed her purse and phone, and stepped onto the road. “I hate this town.”
“Noted,” Easton said, his calm demeanor tempting her to add smacking a police officer to her record. She stomp-walked to the cruiser. He nudged her around the hood and opened the passenger door instead of having her sit in the back, as if that’d lessen her brewing anger.
Violet recrossed her arms as Easton settled behind the wheel of the cruiser. “This is an egregious use of your power.”
“Egregious. Gonna add that to my vocabulary.” Easton spun the car around and headed into the heart of town. “It’s not that I disagree, but you did make a promise to talk to my boy that you didn’t keep.”
Steam practically poured from her ears, and she gave up talking, since nothing about this situation involved logic.
Within a handful of minutes, Violet was right back in the middle of town. Most of the wedding decorations were being put away, but there was still one bright spot.