Greer wiped a tear from her cheek. “Like a snow princess.”
Candace walked up behind me and smiled. “Bishop is going to take one look at you and start dreaming about the ways he’s gonna fuck you in this dress.”
“Candace!” Greer shouted while Arabella giggled.
“My, you are blunt, aren’t you?” Arabella tried to hide her blush.
“I’m simply speaking the truth. Here, put these on.”
She held up a pair of lace thong panties.
“You want me to wear that?” I asked, staring at the barely there lace.
Candace nodded. “They won’t show a panty line and Bishop will love them.”
I looked over at Greer and Arabella. They both nodded, so I took the panties from Candace and made my way into the bathroom. After slipping off my other lace panties, I put the thong on and drew in a deep breath.
When I walked back into the room, Candace held up a pair of sliver heels. “Your shoes.”
She handed them to me and I slipped them on. A white satin strap went around each ankle to secure the heels.
Arabella stepped back and blinked rapidly to keep from crying. “Now the finishing touch. The diamond tiara you wore at your first wedding.”
She carefully placed it in my hair, under the watchful eye of Candace.
I turned and looked at myself in the mirror. Was I truly marrying Bishop again? Did I deserve to be so happy?
Yes. Yes, I did. We both deserved to be this happy.
My jaw ached from clenching down to keep my happy tears at bay. Candace walked up next to me and pinched me behind my upper arm.
“Ouch! What the hell, Candace?” I cried out.
“No crying and ruining your makeup.”
I rubbed at the welt. “You’re a monster,” I muttered.
She winked, then tilted her head. “I know. Now let’s get you down to the greenhouse. Bishop is waiting for you.”
Bishop
I stood and glanced around the greenhouse. I had seen it earlier today. I had helped Abby finish up the lanterns for the tables and had climbed up the ladder to add flowers to the faux chandeliers that hung down from the ceiling. I’d seen it all, but standing here now, only moments away from making Abby mine again, I was overcome with a rush of emotions.
Happiness to have Abby back in my life. Sadness that we had lost the last couple of years. Guilt that I had let my pride keep me from going after Abby harder. Hope for a future that I couldn’t wait to live out with the woman I loved more than life itself.
Gone were all the dead plants and memories of the last few years. In their place stood nothing but breathless beauty. Dreams of happily ever after once again. The one single plant that had somehow survived sat at the side of the altar. I smiled every time I saw it. I hadn’t seen Abby set it there, but I knew it was in the exact place it needed to be.
I caught a glance at myself in the reflection of the windows. I was dressed in a black suit with a white tie. More casual than our first wedding, but it all just felt so damn right.
“It’s so beautiful in here, Bishop,” my mother said. “I wouldn’t have ever known this was an actual greenhouse, had I not seen it filled with flowers once upon a time.”
Smiling, I turned and kissed her on the cheek. “I know; it’s been totally transformed into a winter wonderland.”
“It makes you feel like you’re standing outside, which is beautiful. I have to say, even though it’s a much smaller wedding, I do believe I prefer this to the first one.”
I laughed. “Me too.”
My father and Abby’s dad, Pete, joined my mother and me.
“It looks beautiful in here,” Pete said with a proud smile on his face. “My daughter clearly has a talent with flowers.”
We all chuckled.
“Where’s Crystal?” I asked Pete.
“She wanted to see Abby.”
“Are you not walking her down the aisle then?” my mother asked.
Pete sighed. “Trust me, Catherine, I tried to talk her into giving me that honor, but she said she wanted it simple. No attendants, nothing but her and Bishop.”
I felt a grin spread over my face.
“Oh dear,” my mother whispered. “Bishop Harris, what do you have planned?”
Greer, Arabella, and Candace all walked into the greenhouse, each of them wearing wide smiles on their faces. Bree jumped in front of them and started snapping pictures. Candace covered her chest and said something to Bree that made her laugh.
Aiden had been driving the Mule back and forth from the house to bring folks to the greenhouse so they wouldn’t have to walk the distance in the cold. Since the Mule had doors and heat, no one had to worry about coats. And the greenhouse was toasty warm.
Once the wedding was complete, the food would be brought in. I had secretly hired some people to help serve the food. I had heard Candace in my kitchen earlier, giving out commands and telling the staff when to bring certain dishes to the greenhouse. An idea had struck me in that moment. Boggy Creek didn’t have a catering company in town…and Candace would be the perfect person to start such a venture. I’d made a mental note to talk to Abby about it later.
Now I watched as Aiden headed back up to the house to get Abby. I wondered if she‘d seen Kyle yet. I had to fight to keep from laughing every time I thought about it. I knew that Abby would think it was the best idea ever, and Kyle was such a good sport. He honestly was taking the job assigned to him really seriously.
Arabella caught my eye as she made her way over to the table she was sharing with Candace, her boyfriend Rick, Kyle, and Hunter. She smiled, and I returned the gesture.
“Bishop? What are you planning?” Mom asked again.
Turning, I kissed her on the cheek once more. “You’ll see soon, Mom. Better take your seats. It’s about to start.”
Abby and Arabella had used round tables so that everyone had the perfect view of the far end of the greenhouse, where an arch had been constructed and was filled with every kind of white flower imaginable. Small pops of blue flowers were tucked in, a nod to Abby’s favorite color. My heart beat a little harder and faster. I just wasn’t completely sure what she would think about the blue diamond. Even though I’d had the money at the time to buy her whatever ring she wanted, Abby’s choice for her first engagement ring was just under a carat: a white solitaire diamond in a platinum band. I prayed she wouldn’t think the new ring was over the top.
She was going to be speechless when she saw it; I knew that much.
Hunter opened the door of the greenhouse and gave me a thumbs up. I walked over to the arch and stretched my hand out to Buck, an old friend from high school who was now referred to as Preacher Gale after he took over as lead pastor at the First United Methodist Church.
“Buck,” I said in a low voice. “Thank you for doing this.”
He grinned. “It’s my pleasure, Bishop. I’m happy for the two of you.”
Giving him a nod, I felt my heart race a bit faster at the sound of the Mule coming down from the house.
One quick look at Hunter confirmed he was ready by the small Bose speaker. Brighton had taken her role as photographer seriously, as well, and she was flitting all over the greenhouse snapping pictures of guests, the lanterns, the dogs. She even took a picture of Buck as if she was a professional.
Greer stood off to the side, in a good spot for filming Kyle and then Abby.
Lance and Karen, Kyle and Greer’s folks, had brought the puppy, who was now in the back corner sleeping soundly with Jack and Cat. The only way to keep the little rascal happy was to let her hang with the two older dogs. Lance had played with them outside for the last hour, throwing a ball and playing tug of war until the three of them had nearly collapsed in the snow from exhaustion.
Given where Hunter was standing, even if Abby looked that way, she’d most likely only see Jack and Cat. That wouldn’t surprise her, since Hunter and Kyle brought their dogs with them nearly everywhere.
I took in a deep brea
th and slowly let it out. I looked over at Lance again and held up my ring finger and pointed to it. Hopefully he hadn’t tied the ring to the puppy’s collar until after she fell asleep.
He held up the ring box and gave me a thumbs up.
Then, the doors opened to the greenhouse and Kyle walked in. I could see Abby sitting in the Mule, a wide grin on her face as she watched him.
He had on black pants, a white shirt, a black tie, and the flower jacket. He looked and played the part of the flower guy like a pro.
Hunter hit play, and Abby’s favorite song, “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain, started up. Kyle unzipped his fanny pack, shot his hands out and made guns with his fingers before he tipped the cowboy hat he was wearing and started to dance down the aisle, tossing red rose petals in the air.
He took his time, in true Kyle fashion. It wasn’t a very long walk, with the greenhouse only being sixty feet long—which in Abby’s opinion, had not been long enough when we first built it. Brighton laughed her ass off snapping pictures. At one point, the bastard stopped and kissed the back of his mother’s hand as she wiped tears of laughter from her cheeks.
Once Kyle got to the end, he reached his hand out for me and I shook it, then pulled him in for a quick hug. “I love you, man.”
Kyle drew back and nodded. I could see he was fighting to keep from crying. “I love you, too, Bishop.” He gave me a nod and a slap on the side of my arm, then swiftly walked to his table and took a seat.
When I glanced back toward the door, Abby stood there with a wide smile on her face. With a slight chuckle, she announced, “I’m not sure I can top that!”
I, along with everyone else, laughed.
Hunter hit play again, and a Christmas instrumental song began as Abby made her way toward me. Tears burned at the back of my eyes before I finally just let them flow. I could tell Abby was also fighting to keep her tears under control. The song ended just as she stepped up next to me and I let my eyes wander over her. The cream dress she wore was stunning as the crystals that were sewn on it caught the flickering light all around us. And when she walked, I couldn’t help noticing the slit that gave the sexiest peek of her leg. My entire body caught on fire looking at her. Her upper teeth dug into her lower lip, and I reached up and gently ran my finger over her lips to get her to let go.
“You look beautiful, Abs.”
A sob slipped free, and she blinked rapidly as her tears fell. “You…look so handsome, Bishop.”
I cupped her face in my hands and brushed her tears away with my thumbs. “Don’t cry, angel.”
Her eyes closed and she let out a deep breath before she focused back on me.
Smiling, I leaned in and brushed a soft kiss on her lips. “You ready to marry me…again?”
Her head bobbed quickly before I gave her another kiss.
“Bishop, that part comes later!” Hunter called out.
Abby and I both laughed. I dropped my hands, and we faced Buck.
As the ceremony began, I couldn’t hear anything but the beating of my heart, or maybe it was Abby’s heart—or possibly both of our hearts beating as one. Abby reached a hand down and wrapped her fingers around mine while we stood there and said our vows for a second time.
“Shall we bless the rings?”
Abby untied my wedding band from her bouquet of flowers and handed it over to Buck. They both looked at me as I stood there, not making a move.
“Bishop? Do you have the wedding band?” Buck asked, slight concern in his voice.
I glanced over my shoulder and nodded to Hunter and Lance.
Abby chuckled. “Tell me Jack isn’t wearing the ring…”
Her voice trailed off as our eight-week-old golden retriever started down the aisle toward us. A giant blue bow was tied around her neck, and she trotted like she owned the damn place.
Abby gasped and whispered, “A puppy!”
Of course, the pup got distracted and made a few stops to say hello to Arabella, then my mom, then Kyle, slowly making her way closer to us. I whistled, and her head popped up. I bent down, and she started running toward me.
Abby bent, too, and was nearly knocked over by the little rug rat. “Oh my goodness! Whose puppy is she?”
I turned her collar and untied the bag Lance had attached. I smiled. “She’s your puppy, Abs.”
Her eyes went wide with shock. “Mine? She’s mine?”
I nodded, scooped up the puppy in one hand, and helped Abby stand back up. Kyle came to my side and took the puppy as I opened the ring pouch and tipped it so the diamond and band both landed in my hand.
Abby was so preoccupied with the puppy Kyle was holding that she hadn’t seen the rings. I handed them to Buck, who smiled.
“Shall we continue then?” Buck asked as Abby grabbed the puppy from Kyle and hugged it to her chest.
I laughed, watching her smother the dog with kisses. She gave Buck a quick look. “Yes! Please don’t mind the dog.”
“You’re going to hold her while we say our vows?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yes! Just for a bit.”
Our friends and family laughed while Buck continued on with the blessing. I had already arranged for Buck to have me go first with the rings.
I took both of them from his hand and slotted them together. Abby beamed with happiness when I slipped both the engagement ring and her wedding band on her finger and then said my vows. Once I had finished, she looked down…and sucked in a breath.
“Bishop! Oh, Bishop.”
The puppy started to slip from Abby’s arm, so Kyle jumped into action and took her again. He quietly went back to his table with the puppy fighting to get free.
“Do you like it?” I asked, watching her stare down at the ring.
She lifted her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I love it. It’s so beautiful. It’s perfect.”
I reached over and wiped her tears away.
We somehow managed to get through our vows while we both cried like babies. I had never been so happy in my entire life. Happier even than the first time I’d married Abby, and I never thought that was possible.
“Friends and family,” Buck said, a wide smile on his face. “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Bishop Harris, round two. Now you may kiss your bride, Bishop.”
The room erupted in cheers and laughter as I cupped Abby’s face and kissed her passionately, then dipped her and made her laugh. Kyle let out a whistle, and Hunter called out, “Save it for tonight, you guys!”
When we finally broke the kiss, I leaned my forehead against Abby’s. She ran her fingertip lightly over my jaw and sighed. “Finally, you’re mine again.”
“I was always yours, Abs.”
She drew back slightly and looked up at me. “Do you think they’d miss us if we slipped away?”
The corner of my mouth twitched. “Didn’t we do that at our last wedding too?”
Abby
Wet puppy dog licks on my face woke me from my peaceful slumber. I opened my eyes and smiled as I looked into the sweetest brown eyes I’d ever seen.
“Good morning, sweet puppy.”
Bishop rolled over and groaned. “Why is she in our bed, Abs?”
I sat up and scooped the puppy into my arms, holding her like a baby. “I couldn’t keep her in the crate, Bishop! She kept crying to get out.”
He sat up and scrubbed his hand down his face as he sighed. “You do realize you’re spoiling her already.”
I looked down at the pup and smiled as she chewed on my finger. “She’s had such a crazy last few days. Stuck with Kyle, then Lance, who was trying to train her like a future K9! Then the wedding and all the excitement. She needs extra love.”
Bishop stared at me and then laughed. “She’s your dog; if you want her in our bed, she can sleep in our bed. She better not interrupt my happy time though.”
I tried not to laugh. “Your happy time?”
“Yes, my happy time. I’m at my happiest when I’m inside you, Abs.”
; My entire body heated, and I felt my core pulse with need. Even after we had stayed up until nearly three in the morning making love, I still wanted Bishop as if I hadn’t had him inside of me for months.
“She won’t. I promise.”
Bishop reached over and grabbed the puppy and held her up. Her little tail wagged as she tried to lick him. “You’ll have to name her before she starts responding to ‘she.’”
I turned and stared at her while Bishop lifted his knees and placed her on her back. He rubbed her stomach, and she instantly went still, her eyes slowly closing.
“Lucky girl,” I whispered.
Bishop looked up and winked. “You’re next.”
“I’m holding you to it.”
The puppy barked to get Bishop’s attention when he stopped petting her. “Okay, what are we going to name her?”
I leaned my head on Bishop’s shoulder and stared down at the precious little girl in his lap. “What about Noel? I think it fits her, and you gave her to me on Christmas Eve as a wedding present.”
Bishop thought for a moment. “Wait, which day are we going to celebrate our anniversary now? Our first wedding date or our second one?”
I smiled and lifted my head off of him. “I think Christmas Eve. It just feels right. I mean, I don’t want to forget about our first wedding and the amazing years we already had together. But this just feels like a new beginning. It can be our wedding anniversary, Noel’s gotcha day, and Christmas Eve.”
Bishop laughed. “Gotcha day? I picked her up on Tuesday.”
“Well, you didn’t give her to me until yesterday, so Christmas Eve is her new birthday.”
He nodded. “Sounds good to me.” Turning to look back down at Noel, he held her two front paws in his hands. “Do you hear that, Noel? Your new birthday is Christmas Eve.”
Noel let out a little bark, and I swore she smiled.
Bishop picked her up and cradled her in his arms. “Now, let’s figure out how to get her to fall asleep, so I can have some more of that happy time with my wife.”
A month had passed since Bishop and I had become man and wife again. We ended up going to Hawaii for a week over the new year, and it had been the most amazing week of my life. That meant we’d missed Hudson’s surprise engagement to Greer though. He’d asked her in front of everyone at the New Year’s Eve party Aiden and Willa had thrown at their house.
She's the One (Boggy Creek Valley Book 3) Page 25