by Knox, Abby
I find the name of a wedding planner online who had great reviews, and then begin plotting secretly with Smitty. I give Smitty the information with instructions to coordinate a small ceremony and a party at the ranch on the sly, inviting whomever among Wren’s contacts could make it on extremely short notice.
I figure we only need about a week to pack up her things, pay off her rent, and shop for anything else she might need. Apart from work, that should be enough to keep her occupied and not notice a wedding being planned right under her nose.
Because I’ve taken to driving her to and from work, it’s easier to time our arrivals back at the ranch each night so we miss seeing any wedding-related activities.
Our arrival back at the ranch one evening a week later is greeted with what looks like a festive road block at the gate.
A pink and gold golf cart awaits us with a perky young woman at the wheel, wearing a black pantsuit and a headset. The woman hops out and approaches the driver side. I roll down the window and she nods. “Mr. Evans, I’m Ally.”
I reach out my hand to shake her hand, and she nods curtly as she takes it, looks past me. “I take it you’re Wren? Come with me, please.”
I look over at my future wife and grin.
“Sam what the fuck is this? I need to shower.”
“Oh, you’ll be showering before you put the dress on, don’t worry. Call it my wedding gift for you.”
Wren stabs me with the daggers coming out of her eyes, but she can’t hide the smile. She goes with Ally and I watch them speed away over the hills toward the ranch house.
Smitty, who had been waiting for us in the golf cart with the wedding coordinator, looks a bit bewildered by this little whirlwind called Ally. He hops in the passenger side of the truck.
“What now?” I ask.
“What? Oh yeah. The wedding. Everything is set up at the barn. The men are getting dressed in the horse stables. The women are getting ready in the house.”
I study him; he seems preoccupied.
“You OK? You look distracted.”
Smitty shakes his head, like he’s clearing away a fog.
“Nah. I’m all good. Let’s go get you married, boss.”
* * *
Smitty and Ally have somehow pulled it off.
A dance floor has been erected outside of the barn, hung with party lights and a bandstand. The inside of the barn has been cleaned and outfitted with rows of white chairs facing a wedding arch decorated with purple flowers on the far wall.
Several neighbors, cousins and other relatives have shown up for the main event. I feel a lump in my throat when I think how I wish I had met Wren several years earlier, before my parents had passed. The rest of the crowd is made up of Wren’s coworkers, her brother and his partner, and even her sister who flew in with her family. Knowing how their relationship is still somewhat strained, I see this as progress and feel happy knowing Wren will get to see family today.
I stand under the arch with the judge and wait for my bride.
Things seem to be taking a little longer than expected.
After a few impatient minutes, I see Ally marching up to me. Her completely pleasant poker face reveals nothing.
“Can I talk to you a minute,” she whispers with a practiced smile.
I follow her outside of the barn as I feel my heart sink below my stomach.
“What is it? Is it Wren? What’s wrong?”
Ally puts up a reassuring hand. “Everything is fine with Wren, but her mother is here.”
“What? She was not supposed to—“
“She was not invited by us. Wren’s sister did it.”
“Aw shit.”
“Yeah. So anyway. We tried to bar anybody from going to the house to see Wren before the ceremony, but she got past us. Wren saw her and things are OK between them, for now, but your bride is not happy. And she wants to talk to you.”
It’s a bit of a hike from the barns up to the house, while I listen to Ally explain how the hell that woman made it into the house without anyone noticing.
When I arrive at the house and see Smitty’s face, I understand what happened. Smitty doesn’t know it but his hair is slightly mussed and his face is flushed. There’s lipstick on his neck. So. Smitty and Ally are an item. That was quick.
Well, I can hardly be mad about it; I’m happy for them.
Ally and Smitty look at each other and then both look at me apologetically.
I point at Smitty. “You, go to the barn and stall the crowd. Tell dad jokes, I don't care what you do.” Then I point to Ally. “You, take me to my bride.”
“Yes sir.”
Inside the front room is my Wren. My angel wears a loose-fitting vintage dress with lacy bits here and there. The gauziness suits her personality perfectly.
“Where is she? Where’s your mom?” I ask.
Wren’s lips tremble when she speaks. “One of your guys took her to the barn to wait for the ceremony after I agreed to let her stay. She promised she wouldn’t cause any drama, and her boyfriend agreed to wait in the car.”
I sigh a heavy breath. “Babe. I’m so sorry. I did not invite her.”
Wren nods. “I know. But you need to listen to me. There are lots of things we never talked about before now. I know family is important to you, but if we’re going to be married, you need to understand that you need to check with me before you allow my sister and my mom to come around. They… They make me feel small.”
I take a step toward her. “You’re not small,” I rumble.
“I know, but I can’t help but feel that way when they’re around. Does that make sense to you?”
I put my hand out. “You are my angel. You are the brightest star in the sky and nobody can put out your fire unless you let them. But I understand. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
She nods. “OK.” But her eyes are downcast and she bites her lip.
I tip her chin up with my hand. “Wren. We don’t have to do this in front of people if you don’t want to.”
Wren shakes her head, her eyes full of emotion. “I want to. I want to make sure you’re not going to run off. Is that silly? I mean, you said you did it before. I just don’t want to get to the end of the aisle and have no groom waiting there for me.”
That’s when I stand by her side and offer her my arm. “Then I guess you’d better hang on to me and we’ll do the walk together.”
And we do.
It might not be the most traditional bridal march. But if that’s the way I’m going to get her down the aisle, then that’s fine with me.
It’s more than fine. It’s exactly as it should be.
As we approach the judge who waits for us under the flowered arbor, I examine the feelings in my gut. No cold feet. No hesitation. In fact, when I turn my head to sneak a glance at my bride while we listen to the judge address the gathered witnesses, I can’t believe it’s real. Her long mane of hair is gathered up in an elegant low bun, a crown of tiny yellow flowers complementing her silvery-lavender hair.
She still looks like an angel, and I can hardly believe this angel chose me. Wren catches me glancing at her. She doesn’t even bother to hide the brilliant smile that breaks across her face. Her arm still in mine, I reach my opposite hand over to squeeze her hand that rests in the crook of my arm.
When we turn to each other to say our vows, the light that shines from inside her tells me that any thoughts of her feeling small have fallen behind by a country mile.
Neither of us seem to be able to get through the vows and the giving of rings fast enough.The judge pronounces us husband and wife, and I don’t waste another second.
The cheering and clapping of our guests fades away when my eyes focus on my wife. Her arms reach for me and I’m so caught up in the moment, I know I have to honor this moment with a big ol’ dip kiss. I remove my black hat with one hand and grab Wren around the waist with the other, dipping her deeply while balancing her across my leg. She squeaks in surprise but melts into m
e.
It’s the happiest moment of my life. Her arms grip me tight, and it feels good to know my girl feels safe with me. The kiss is full of promise that whatever happens, she and I will handle it together.
I’m always going to be the soft place for my little bird to land.
About the Author
Abby Knox lives a dual life. Fantasy Abby would love to live on a farm with goats, bees, chickens, donkeys and alpaca, making her own soap, yarn, honey and cheese. Reality Abby has no desire to do actual farm work. So, the ever-pragmatic Reality Abby keeps Fantasy Abby happy by putting her into adorable little works of romantic fiction with her pretend hobbies. Both Abbies hope you enjoy her sweet, sexy — sometimes a little over the top and weird — storytelling.
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Also by Abby Knox
The Greenbridge Academy series
Swim Coach (book one)
Grumpy Dad (book two)
Benefactor (book three)
Headmistress (book four)
Queen Bee (book five)
Bake Sale Queen (book six)
The Very Good Boy Duet
Fencing Her In (A bad neighbors to lovers story. With a lot of dogs. You need this in your life.)
Doing Him Good (An insta-love, sowing-his-wild-oats whirlwind romance.)
* * *
Need more?
From the Small-Town Bachelor Romance Series
(each can be read as a stand-alone, but if you want to read in order … this is the order)
Take Me Home
Game Face
Written in the Stars, a special Christmas edition
Walk With Me
Stay the Night
I’ve Got You
Come And Get It
* * *
The Windy City Holiday Duet
Pumpkin and Spice
Comfort and Joy
* * *
Beach Avenue Babes
His Vinyl Vixen (a stand alone for the rock ’n’ roll nerd in all of us)
Her Hi-Fi Hunk (Dusty and Jed from His Vinyl Vixen)
* * *
Stand alone short reads and novellas
Doctor Dave
Fighting For Dylan (book four in a six-author MMA series!
Hot Off The Press
The Halloween Bet
One Good Woman (a stand-alone mistaken identity/conspiracy/political drama)
Naughty Irish Heart (a time-hopping Saint Patrick’s Day Romance — two couples and two HEAs in one book! Part of a four-author themed collection!)
Sweet Jane
(An over-the-top amnesia story about being lost, and then found.)
The Christmas Pickup (a holiday short read full of feels, quirky characters and one hot tow truck driver!)
Saved for Me
(a special Holidays with Alexa Riley story)
Matched for Me (A Valentine’s Day story with Fletcher from Saved for Me)
Off-Season Stud (a fun and sexy vacation trope with an OTT ending!)