“Baby, we need to talk.”He instantly regretted saying it that way when fear shot through her expression.
“What, Jared?Are you changing your mind?Because I’d understand.”She turned toward him in her seat.“You’ve said it yourself.I wasn’t what you were expecting.But if you let me stay, I wouldn’t cause any trouble.I swear it,” she said hurriedly.
“Shut up a second.”He almost laughed at the look of shock on her face.“I haven’t changed my mind at all.I have pulled some strings so we can get married today instead of waiting.”
She tried to pull her hand from his.A frown puckered her brow.
“Wait ...what?”she asked, confused.
“We’re getting married today.”
“Why?I’m not even dressed right, and I haven’t put on any makeup or have flowers.”
Jared squeezed her hand when her words started tripping over each other.“Calm down and listen.I know this probably isn’t how you saw yourself getting married, and we will discuss that later, I promise.But right now, my goal is to make you Mrs.Jared Rafferty.”
“Why so fast?”
“I want to protect you from anything your father can do.”
Sky drew in a sharp breath.“I should have realized.”
“Do you understand now?”Jared asked.
Sky bit her lip and nodded.
“Good.The last thing I want is to upset you, but it’s more important to keep you safe right now.You made a choice to stay with me, and I’m not going to lose you.”
He watched as different emotions crossed her face as she processed the turn of events.He turned his attention to the road as he started moving the truck again.
“Unless you’ve changed your mind?”He started to feel sweat coat his body when she didn’t answer right away.“Have you?”
Sky gripped his hand with both of hers.“No, I haven’t.”
“So, you are going to marry me today?”
“Yes.”
“Before this happens, I have to warn you that once you’re mine, there is no way I’m ever letting you go.”
He watched an array of emotions cross her face before she relaxed.
“I understand.”
He pulled up to the courthouse and parked before turning toward her.He let the fingers of one hand slide across her cheek.“I will take such good care of you.”
Sky’s eyes closed as she rubbed her face against the palm of his hand.Jared gritted his teeth against the urge to pull her onto his lap.He knew if that happened, he would have a hard time being able to stop at just one kiss.
“Come on.”He made his way around the truck and helped her down.He gave her another hug.“Everything’s going to be just fine.”
“Okay.”She straightened her spine and took a deep breath.
He was so proud of her and the strength she was showing him.He gripped her hand and pulled her behind him into the three-story white stone courthouse.Sky gripped his hand tighter as he pulled her beside him after going through a heavy door to the right.
“I’m here to see Martin.He knows I was coming,” Jared told the secretary.
“Yes, he said he’d be right out,” the secretary said.
She jumped when the door opened, and a tall, thin man came through and then froze when he saw her.
