Chapter 24
Nothing had prepared Garrett for what he’d just endured with Reese. Her pain, the absolute agony in her eyes when she ran off, leaving him standing by the creek, was enough to bring him to his knees. He’d raced after her. Not that she noticed. He had no idea what would’ve happened if Tanner and Orly hadn’t intervened. If they hadn’t gotten her to talk about what she saw. The idea that Reese could’ve just left without saying a word to him cut deep. She had come into his life like a tornado, fast and out of nowhere, but to lose her now would rip his heart out.
He tried to put himself in her shoes. To imagine what it would feel like to see her death with his own eyes. But every time he tried, his throat closed, his eyes burned, and it felt like he was thrown into a pit of fire with no way out. He would fight with everything he had to keep Reese alive, protect her from anyone and anything that dared cause her harm.
He understood how she thought leaving was the only way to protect him. But it wasn’t. He was a grown ass man. He wasn’t going to hide behind a woman, and he definitely wasn’t going to lose the best thing that ever happened to him because of a pathetic loser who couldn’t honor the badge, or the amazing women in his life. First Russell tormented Orly, now he was doing the same thing to Reese. It had to stop.
As soon as this wedding was over, the guys were going to get together and make some real plans on how to put RussellGraham away for good. But until then, the only plan was to enjoy this night with friends.
Garrett stood behind Reese, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, as they watched Caden and Hallie recite their vows. Since there was just one long table, everyone had decided to stand around the couple, forming a protective circle, as they stood in the center under a small arch. Luke was performing the ceremony. Orly was Hallie’s maid of honor, and Blake was Caden’s best man.
Hallie looked absolutely radiant in a white satin, off the shoulder dress, her hair pulled up with small pearls weaved through it, and a bouquet of simple white daisies.
Garrett looked down at Reese in time to catch her swiping at a tear, and he kissed the top of her head. “That’s going to be us one day,” he whispered.
She jerked her head up at him, her eyes wide.
“Don’t look so surprised. I may not be ready to pop the question yet, but when you know, you know, and I’ve known for a while.”
The hollow of Reese’s throat bobbed as she swallowed, then she gave him a little nod. He breathed out a sigh of relief at her slight confirmation. He’d let Reese do the planning when the time came, but looking around at his friends, seeing how happy they were, Garrett knew he wasn’t going to wait long.
With his mind still reeling from everything that happened, he admittedly didn’t pay too much attention to what Luke said before he cleared his throat and turned his attention to Hallie and Caden. “And now, Hallie, when you’re ready, you may say your vows to Caden.”
Hallie smiled, her eyes shimmering in the glow of the lights. “From the moment you stepped into my store and I looked up and smiled at you, I knew you were special. Even when my life was falling apart, I trusted you to help me keep it together. Butof all the things I love about you, I think the one I love most is how you let me be there for you. You don’t hold things in, you don’t pretend everything’s fine, or push me out. You tell me like it is. You share your heart, your thoughts, your life with me. And that makes me feel so wanted, so loved, and so cherished. I love you, Caden Dobbs, and I promise to always love, honor and cherish you, my best friend, my confidant, my husband. Now and forever.”
There was no shortage of sniffles, the sighs, and the smiles when Luke turned to the groom. “Caden?” Luke said with a wide smile. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Caden’s face was moistened with tears. “I was lost in this life, wrapped up in my past and in my career until I walked into your store and there you were. The answer to every prayer I’d ever uttered. And suddenly, it was like everything in the world made sense. I love waking up with you every morning. I love finding new coffee shops to try with you, and I love making memories in our new home together. Being with you is the only place I ever want to be, and loving you is the only thing I will ever want to do. You are my everything, Hallie Owens. Always and forever. My best friend, my confidant, my wife.”
There wasn’t a dry eye as the couple exchanged rings, and everyone laughed when Caden crushed Hallie’s mouth to his, not waiting for Luke to announce that he could now kiss the bride. Applause and cheers erupted, Orly threw white rose petals at the happy couple, and everyone took photos and videos with their phones.
A short while later, Caden invited Hallie to join him for their first dance as husband and wife. A song played that Garrett wasn’t familiar with, but the love between them was so palpable, it made his chest squeeze with longing to one day share a day just like this with Reese.
Another song started playing over the speakers, and Luke invited Orly to dance. Blake and Skyla followed. “May I have this dance?” Garrett asked Reese.
She smiled up at him and extended her hand. He led her out onto the makeshift dance floor. Almost everyone was dancing now, smiling and talking. Garrett loved seeing his friends so happy. The weather was perfect, the company was amazing, and the best part was that Reese was here with him.
They were swaying to a slow song when Reese met his gaze. He was so tempted to look away, but instead, he met her eyes and infused as much love and compassion for her as he could.
“I like dancing with you,” she said, her hands resting on his shoulders.
“We’re going to have a lot more dances together,” he said. “Just you wait and see.”
Reese looked so beautiful with her sweet smile, her eyes now looking right into his. He wondered if she saw his death every time their eyes met, but he didn’t want to ruin this moment by asking. For now, he just wanted to dance the night away with his woman, enjoying her sweet laugh and the way she felt pressed up against him as they moved to the music.
The night went by in a happy blur of laughter, music, and food. When they cut the cake, Garrett got the perfect photo of Caden and Hallie smashing a small piece into each other’s faces. Everyone laughed and cheered, then gushed about how delicious the white chocolate raspberry cake was.
“I’m in heaven,” Skyla said. “This cake is to die for.”
Blake laughed. “I think the steaks were the best.”
“I’m with Skyla,” Reese said. They were standing around the kitchen island, cooling off in the air-conditioned house from all the dancing, while enjoying their dessert. “This cake is something else. What about you?” She turned to Garrett. “What was your favorite part?”
Garrett sighed, and leaned into her, whispering right up to her ear. “You.” When she pulled away and smiled, he grinned, then said, “I’m with you and Skyla. The cake takes it all. But I’m still a steak guy.”
Caden and Hallie came into the kitchen, huge smiles on their faces. “So, this is where it’s at,” Hallie said. “You guys just abandoned me out there?” She was smiling as she spoke, clearly having the time of her life.
“I think we left you in good hands,” Garrett chuckled, glancing up at Caden.
