Love you.
My chest swells at the words, and I can’t believe tomorrow I’ll walk down the aisle and make her my wife.
Less than a week has passed since I walked into that restaurant and took her away from Corey Hayes—like he did to me all those years ago. Not that he ever had her, but still it was pretty damn sweet to set him straight.
The next day, I took Dove to the jewelry store in town where we found the perfect engagement ring. We picked it out together, an oval-shaped peach-colored diamond with clusters of small white diamonds like blossoms on each side.
I bought it on the spot and put it on her finger.
After I made the deal to buy the orchard and gift it back to the family, I asked Taron if it would be okay for me to propose to his daughter. He only laughed, pulling me in for a hug and asking what took me so long.
Uncle Leon was the next one I had to ask, but shockingly, he was easy going, all smiles and support. I think saving the trees bought me a lot of brownie points with that guy. I hope.
Mom instantly started again on how much fun double weddings can be. “It’s double the fun, and we’re already all here!”
The last thing we wanted was to horn in on Gina and Owen’s big day or steal their thunder in any way. Dove said she had everything she wanted in the world with me here and the orchard saved from demolition, but just like she’salways been since we were kids, Gina declared we were doing it together.
“When have I ever left you out of anything?” she cried, throwing her arms around my neck.
Now, Harristown is crawling with Bradfords and Stones, and we haven’t stopped the party.
Bachelor-Bachelorette night ended with us all sleeping everywhere. The girls crashed at the fancy hotel in town where we reserved a block. The guys were scattered from the house to the flatbed under the stars.
And when all was said and done, Mom was right. It was a double-dose of love and fun under a beautiful setting sun beside that very same tree where Dove held my hand and told me she’d marry the guy who loved this place as much as she did on the spot.
We said ourI dos overlooking our trees as the reverend pronounced us man and wife.
“Did you have any idea I was the guy?” I ask, sliding my nose down the side of her peachy, coconut, rose-scented hair as we have our couples dance.
“I might’ve hoped you’d be the guy.” Her voice is soft, and she looks up at me, twinkle lights sparkling in her eyes. “I had no idea how we’d get here.”
Knowing our history, I think it’s the only way it could’ve happened.
I glance across the dance floor to where Owen has Gina in his arms. They’re swaying to the music, warm smiles on their faces, and the way they gaze at each other tells me they didn’t miss a beat having us join them.
Gina’s dress is an elaborate, floor-length billowy white gown with a long veil and small clusters of peach flowers on each side of her head. Her strawberry-blonde hair hangsover her shoulders, and her friend Lisa caught her large bouquet of ivory roses and summer flowers.
The bridesmaids are all in variations of green dresses that I think are supposed to match the leaves on the trees. Owen’s suit is also dark green, and it’s clear a lot of planning went into their side of the ceremony.
I’m in a beige linen suit with a white dress shirt. My hair is tied back in a significantly smaller ponytail, and Knox drove up from New Orleans to be my best man on short notice.
Dove’s knee-length white dress might be a last-minute find, but she still takes my breath away. The top is a sort of large lace that reminds me of oversized flower petals. They part over her upper arms and go up to her neck in the front.
Then when she turns around, her back is smooth and bare. Her pale blonde hair is styled in a braid that goes around her head like a crown, and the ends hang in soft curls to her shoulder. Her cheeks are peachy pink and her lips are glossy.
Holding her now, I slide my hand over her bare skin, and all I can think about is wrapping this up so we can get to consummating.
We sway side to side, and her cheeks flush a pretty color like she knows what I’m thinking. I’m about to ask when she removes all doubt.
“Gina and Owen called dibs on the guest cottage.” She tilts her head, blinking up at me slowly. “My parents reserved a suite for us at the new boutique hotel in town.”
Dipping down, I run my nose along the side of her neck, kissing her soft skin. “Do you think anyone would object to us going there now?”
“Not when you put it like that!” She clasps my hand inhers, dragging me as I laugh to where her parents are standing on the perimeter of the dance floor.
Taron has his arms around Noel, and her head is tilted to the side as she sways and smiles. Dove’s sister Penny is on the floor dancing with Sage, and I glance around to see her uncle Sawyer and Mindy in a clutch as well.
“We’re taking off!” Dove shouts over the music.
