She's the One (Boggy Creek Valley Book 3)

by Kelly Elliott

  He perked up. “I’m listening.”

  I cleared my throat as I rubbed at the back of my neck. “It’s more like a favor.”

  He frowned. “Why do I feel like I’m not going to like this favor?”

  The corner of my mouth lifted. “Do you think you can find a jacket with flowers on it?”

  He sank back in his chair. “Fuck. I’m for sure not going to like this idea.”

  Hunter set his beer on the coffee table, then rubbed his hands together. “Oh man, I can’t wait to hear this.”

  “Hunter, can you ask Bree to take photos?” I asked, pointing at him.

  With a nod, he said, “I’m on it.”

  “Aiden—” I looked at him and narrowed my eyes—“can you drive the tractor and cart people from the house to the greenhouse, since the weather’s calling for snow?”

  He huffed. “Please—can I haul people back and forth? If I can take top-secret photos for the Pentagon, I’m pretty damn sure I can handle this.”

  Kyle groaned.

  The three of us focused on him. “Kyle, I need you to be our flower guy.”

  His mouth dropped open as Hunter and Aiden both tried not to laugh.

  “Flower. Guy,” he slowly repeated.

  I nodded. “Yep. The flower guy.”

  “What the fuck is a flower guy, Bishop?”

  Trying not to laugh, I said, “You walk down the aisle before Abby and toss out flowers. From one of those fanny pack things.”

  “Fanny packs? Do they even make those anymore?” Kyle asked.

  Hunter handed him his phone. “Here, I found a video on TikTok you can watch.”

  Hunter hit play and Kyle watched. When the video ended, he looked around at each of us. I held my breath, waiting for his response. Out of all my friends, I knew Kyle would do this job right. He was carefree and not afraid to have a little bit of fun. Plus, I knew he’d do it for me, but mostly for Abby. “Where am I going to be able to find a flower jacket before Friday?”

  “Does that mean you’ll do it?” I asked.

  Kyle’s face morphed into a wide grin. “Hell yeah, I’ll do it! It’s like this role was made for me!”

  It turned out not to be hard for Kyle to find a flower jacket after all. Maddie, who owned the Bee Sew quilt shop in town, had flower fabric on hand. She took a few of Kyle’s measurements and had the jacket made in one day.

  Kyle slipped the jacket on and looked in the floor-length mirror in Maddie’s office at the back of the store, smiling like a damn fool. He was taking his job as flower guy quite seriously. “Maddie, this is amazing.”

  She beamed with pride. “It was so much fun to make! And here—” She handed Kyle a bag. “I embellished a fanny pack for you.”

  Kyle laughed as he read what she’d put on it, then showed it to me.

  “Official flower man,” I read, trying not to laugh. It shouldn’t have surprised me how serious Kyle was taking this role. He was like a brother to me, and if anyone knew how special this day was for me and Abby, it was Kyle. He had been there for me through thick and thin. When I went through my phase of trying to fuck Abby out of my mind, he never once judged me. When I went through the guilty phase that came after, he talked me down from the ledge. He was the brother I never had but had always wanted.

  Gifting Maddie a smile, he practically purred, “It’s perfect, Maddie.”

  Anytime Kyle Larson smiled at a woman, I was pretty sure their panties exploded, and apparently Maddie wasn’t an exception. It didn’t matter if they were married or single. Kyle had a way with women.

  “Anytime, Kyle. It was a fun side project.”

  I walked up to Maddie. “I know it’s Christmastime and you’re busy, Maddie, so we really do appreciate you doing this for us.”

  She brushed off my concern. “It wasn’t a big deal at all. I was already caught up on all my other projects.”

  When I glanced back at Kyle, he was facing the mirror once more and pretending to walk and toss out flowers. I blinked a few times to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. He did a few dance moves and appeared to be singing a song as well.

  Maddie leaned in and whispered, “He seems to be taking this role, um, seriously.”

  Trying not to pull my best friend into my arms and risk losing my man card, I simply replied, “It appears so.”

  Abby

  Warm kisses moved along the back of my shoulder and up my neck as I felt Bishop slide closer to me. His arousal was evident from the way it pressed into my back side. I wiggled my butt some, and he moaned.

  “Good morning, Abs.”

  Smiling, I reached behind me and laced my fingers in Bishop’s soft hair. “Morning.”

  “For once, neither of us has to jump out of bed to be somewhere.”

  I sighed softly when he pressed his body against mine. “The luncheon later,” I mumbled as he rolled me over and crawled on top of me.

  “Is not for hours. I want to make love to you.”

  I wrapped my hands around his neck and my legs around his waist. “I’m certainly not going to tell you to stop.”

  The corners of his mouth lifted and his eyes were hooded with desire. He reached between our bodies and slipped his fingers inside me. “You’re so wet.”

  I nodded, thrusting my hips upward. “Take me, Bishop. Please.”

  He positioned himself and slowly pushed into me, causing me to suck in a rush of air as I lifted my body to take him in even deeper.

  “Yes,” I hissed as he withdrew, then pushed in fast and hard.

  “You want it soft and sweet or hard and fast, baby?”

  “We can do sweet later,” I whispered, digging my nails into his ass.

  Bishop picked up his pace, and I could feel the build-up begin immediately.

  “Yes. Bishop, yes!” I cried out. He pulled my legs up higher, then reached for my hands and moved fast and hard. The sound of our bodies slapping together fueled my desire even more.

  “Come on, Abs. I’m not going to last.”

  “Oh God, I’m so close!”

  I wasn’t sure what did it—maybe he moved an inch, went deeper, faster, harder? Whatever it was, I fell into an intense orgasm.

  “Bishop!” I cried out, my entire body shaking. I could feel myself pulsing around him, then felt him grow bigger inside of me.

  “Oh yeah, that’s it, Abs. I’m going to come!”

  Bishop moaned and he came, and I opened my eyes to watch. I was captivated by him. His expression was one of pure ecstasy, and I knew exactly how he felt.

  He fell forward, and I let my legs fall open. He kept most of his weight off me as we both tried to catch our breath, Bishop still inside of me.

  “I will never tire of making love to you,” he said.

  I ran my fingertips lightly over his back, a feeling of absolute peace and happiness surrounding me. “Mmm, I feel the same.”

  Bishop lifted up and smiled before he kissed me. “Are you ready for this afternoon?”

  For a moment, I almost thought he was talking about the surprise wedding—but he had to be talking about the luncheon, of course. “I am. I think it’ll be fun.”

  He rubbed his nose against mine. “I think I’ll go see how you decorated the greenhouse.”

  I wrapped my legs around him again. “No! I mean, I want to surprise you with it.”

  His eyes twinkled, and I knew right then. He knew.

  I threw my head back against my pillow and let my mouth fall open. “Oh. My. God. You know, don’t you?”

  Laughing, he said, “I’ve known from almost the very beginning.”

  “What?” I slapped him on the chest. “Bishop Harris, you’ve known this whole time and you didn’t say anything?”

  He gave me that crooked smile of his, and I pushed him in a sad attempt to get him off me. He rolled over onto his back and took me with him.

  I straddled him and tried not to smile as he looked up at me with such love in his eyes. “I love you so much, Abby.”

&
nbsp; “I love you, and I wanted to surprise you. You once said that you wished we had gotten married on Christmas Eve, so I thought this would be the perfect day.”

  He sat up and wrapped me in his arms. “I love that you wanted to surprise me, but I’m glad I found out. One, I was able to send Kyle in to help you and Arabella with that tulle you were trying to hang up. I took one look at the two of you on those ladders and nearly pushed Kyle through the windows to go help.”

  My mouth fell open again. “I knew it wasn’t a coincidence that he showed up at the perfect time!”

  Laughing, he added, “I also wouldn’t have been able to buy you a new diamond.”

  I was positive my eyes grew as round as saucers. “Bishop, I don’t need a new diamond. I still have ours.”

  He played with a piece of my hair, twirling it around his finger and staring at it before meeting my gaze. “I know, but I feel like this is a fresh start for us. The diamond will still go nicely with your wedding band.”

  “Can I see it?” I asked with a shy smile.

  Laughing, he pushed himself against me. “No.”

  I pouted and rolled my hips on his growing erection. “How are you ready again so soon?”

  Bishop cupped my ass and lifted me higher. “Take me, Abby.”

  I reached between us and guided him inside of me. As I sank down slowly, I closed my eyes and relished the feeling of Bishop filling me up.

  “That’s it, baby. Now fuck me.”

  With my own wicked smile, I placed my hands on his chest and whispered, “With pleasure.”

  After Bishop and I laid in bed for longer than we should have, we got up, made breakfast, and then got on with the day. Truth be told, it was a relief knowing that Bishop knew about the wedding. It was so much easier to get things ready with his help.

  Of course, while we were in the greenhouse putting the flowers in the lanterns, Bishop got a bit frisky and we ended up having sex against the glass window. It wasn’t the first time we’d ever done that, but it certainly had a much more romantic feel to it with the snow falling outside and the white lights and tulle strung up around the room. The whole time, I was worried someone would walk up and see us.

  “What do you mean, I have to leave?” Bishop asked later when Arabella pushed him toward the bedroom door. She and Greer were both helping me get ready for the wedding.

  “Just that. You have to leave, so she can get ready. Kyle has your clothes and stuff in one of the upstairs bedrooms.”

  “Why can’t I stay?” Bishop argued as I covered my mouth with my fingers to hide my smile.

  “Just because this is your second time marrying Abby, it doesn’t mean you can see her before the wedding. Some traditions need to be kept,” Greer stated. She looked so cute with her arms crossed over her chest and an expression of pure determination on her face. Bishop let it slip to me that Hudson had bought Greer an engagement ring, and he planned on asking her to marry him on New Year’s Eve. It killed me to keep it a secret, but I would never want to ruin anything for her and Hudson. I was over-the-moon happy for her though.

  “But—” Bishop started, only to have Arabella cover his mouth with her hand.

  “Go away, Bishop.”

  He frowned. “You know, I liked you better when you weren’t all bossy.”

  Greer crossed her arms and said, “You’ll like me less when my foot kicks you in the ass to get you out of this room! We’re running out of time, Bishop Harris!”

  He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine. Fine. I’m leaving.”

  His eyes met mine across the room and butterflies swarmed in my stomach. I placed my hand to my mouth, kissed it, and then sent it to Bishop.

  “I love you, Abs. See you soon.”

  I fought to keep the tears at bay. “I love you, too, Bishop. See you soon.”

  He’d barely stepped one foot out of the bedroom before Arabella shut the door in his face.

  “Jesus, Arabella!” Bishop shouted through the closed door.

  She turned, and I gave her a hard look.

  With an innocent smile, she said, “What? He wouldn’t leave!”

  “Okay, let’s get you ready,” Greer said, coming at me with a brush.

  The door flew open and Candace walked in. “Stop! Do not touch her with that brush. Are you trying to break off her hair with that thing?”

  Greer looked at the brush, then back at Candace, who walked in, shut the door in Bishop’s face again, and tossed a large bag down onto the bed.

  “Women!” Bishop called out before I heard him head down the hall.

  “Okay, I’ve been studying the picture of the dress you bought.” Candace unzipped the bag and started to pull out a curling iron, a straightener, and every kind of eye makeup ever sold, along with mascaras, eyeliners, blushes, and some weird-looking sponge that looked like a teardrop. “I’ve got an idea for hair and makeup. We’ll do an updo and put some baby’s breath in to make it feel light and airy. You’ve got plenty down in the kitchen leftover from the table arrangements.”

  I lifted one brow and looked at Greer. She gave me an I-don’t-know-how-to-stop-her look.

  “The dress has a very wintery snowflake feel to it, so we’ll keep the makeup light, but I think we’ll make your eyes smoky. Nothing says ‘fuck me until morning’ like a good smoky eye.”

  Arabella leaned closer to me and whispered, “Why is she working at Turning Pages again?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know. I feel like she missed her calling.”

  Candace clapped her hands, causing both me and Arabella to jump and let out small yelps.

  “I also took a look at the greenhouse. I have one word to describe the theme I’m feeling.”

  The three of us stared at her as we waited.

  “For Pete’s sake, Candace, what’s the word?” Greer asked, when her dramatic pause went on for too long.

  Slowly looking between the three of us, Candace let her eyes land on me as she smiled and said, “Enchanting.”

  I giggled. “I love it! Do your best with me.”

  Candace threaded her fingers, pushed her arms out, and cracked her knuckles.

  “Should that scare me as much as it does?” Arabella asked.

  Candace ignored her. “Alright, ladies, let’s get to work.”

  Before I knew it, she had me sitting at the vanity in the bathroom as she brushed, curled, twisted, and pinned up my hair. Soft curls fell down my back while Arabella carefully placed sprigs of baby’s breath in my hair.

  “Okay, now for the makeup,” Candace said, turning me away from the mirror and getting to work. Greer and Arabella were doing their own makeup and hair while Candace worked her magic on me.

  “Candace, if you love fashion so much, why aren’t you working in that profession?” I asked.

  She gave me a one-shoulder shrug as she concentrated on my eyeliner. “This is just something I love to do. I feel like if I did it for a living, I’d grow tired of it. What I’m truly passionate about is cooking and baking. I love to read, as well, so that helps with working at Turning Pages. And helping Arabella out at the café on the bee farm gives me a chance to play around with my baking and cooking skills.”

  “That makes sense. You’re just so on point with everything. Your hair, your makeup, your clothes. Even your sense of humor.”

  She dropped her hand and looked at me with a thoughtful smile. “Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to me. Now, stop talking so I don’t mess up your eyeliner.”

  I pressed my lips together in a tight line and held my breath until I felt like I was going to pass out while she did the eyeliner.

  Candace stepped back and nodded. “Yes. Yes, this is it. By God, I’m so good.”

  I laughed and turned to look in the mirror. I gasped as I stared at my reflection. Somehow, Candace had managed to make me look beautiful, without making it look like I had a ton of makeup on.

  “It’s time for the dress!” Arabella practically shouted.

 
“Do not mess up her hair, ladies,” Candace warned while Arabella went skipping out of the bathroom. It warmed my heart to see her truly happy. She finally had a brightness in her eyes I hadn’t seen in so long. Yet, there was still something missing. Love. Hunter. A partnership with a man who loved and cared about her.

  I followed the three of them back into the living room and watched Arabella take down the dress and hand it to Greer.

  “Why are you handing it to me?” Greer asked, pushing the dress back toward Arabella.

  “The last time I helped her into a dress, it got snagged on a bobby pin and pulled half her hair down,” Arabella stated.

  “Do you remember I was helping put the dress on when that happened?” Greer asked.

  Candace gasped and reached for the garment. “Give it to me. Good God, between the two of you, I swear.” She held up the dress and nodded her approval.

  I chewed on my lip nervously as I stared at it. “I really hope my boobs don’t sag since I can’t wear a bra with that thing.”

  “Drop the robe and let’s put it on,” Candace said. After doing as she asked, she gave me a once-over. “Girl, please. You’ve still got perky tits. You’re going to rock this dress.”

  I felt my cheeks turn hot as I glanced over to Greer, who gave me another one-shoulder shrug. It was as if she’d learned not to make apologies for Candace and what came out of her mouth.

  Candace carefully gathered up the chiffon and tulle dress. “Arms up and bend down some.”

  I did as she said and held my breath as she slipped the dress on. Once it was safely past my hair and makeup, I heard everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief.

  Arabella buttoned up the dress in the back, then tied the ribbon that went around the waist in a bow in the front.

  The top of the cream gown was lace with crystal embellishments, but not so many that they took away from the lace. The three-quarter-length sleeves also gave it a lighter feel.

  I turned and looked at the deep-scooped back that led to covered buttons on the chapel-length gown. It was finished off by a side slit that went to the middle of my thigh.

  “You look beautiful,” Arabella whispered.