Page 77 of Hextreme Measures

So was Ofelia. When she opened the door, expecting the limo driver, she found her father waiting instead.

Oscar was dressed in a new tuxedo, his hair was slicked back, and he looked like a million bucks. Ofelia immediately broke into a wide smile when she saw him.

“Daddy.”

Oscar swallowed the huge lump in his throat as he looked at his only daughter. “You’re the most beautiful bride in the world.” He wasn’t exaggerating. He’d never seen anything prettier than Ofelia in her wedding dress. “I can’t believe how beautiful you are.”

Ofelia blinked back tears. “I didn’t know you were coming with the limo to take us to the park,” she said, somehow managing to keep her voice from cracking. “This is a really nice surprise.”

“You didn’t think I was going to let my favorite girl in the world go without a fight, did you?”

Ofelia arched an eyebrow. “A fight?”

“I’m not handing you over to that guy until I have no other choice.” Oscar was firm. “You are the greatest thing I’ve ever done in my life. You’re mine for another hour. I’m going to cherish that time.”

A tear slid down Ofelia’s cheek. “You’ve been a great dad. I need you to know that.”

“I was the best dad I could be,” he corrected. “You deserved more.”

“No.” Ofelia grabbed his hand and squeezed. “I don’t regret for a moment that you’re my father.” She paused a beat. “You should probably refrain from telling Felix that I’m the greatest thing you’ve ever done, though. His nose will be out of joint.”

Oscar chuckled. His eyes were glassy, telling Ofelia he was fighting his emotions as well. “Do you know what I was thinking about last night?”

Ofelia shook her head.

“You used to tell me about the guy you were going to marry when you were in your reading nook at the bar,” he said. “You said you were going to solve mysteries together, and he was going to be the greatest guy in the world.”

“I do not remember that,” Ofelia said on a laugh. “I guess I got it right, though, huh?”

Oscar nodded. “When he first started sniffing around, I wasn’t certain he was the right one for you. I know now that you made a good choice. That man, he thinks the sun rises and sets on you.”

“I think the same thing about him.”

“Yeah, but you deserve it.”

Ofelia laughed. “Don’t give Zach a hard time today, huh? It’s his wedding day, too.”

“No promises.” Oscar manfully cleared his throat. “I couldn’t give you away to anybody other than him. It took him a long time to earn my trust, but I do trust him with the most precious thing in my life. That makes him worthy.”

“It’s okay, Dad,” Ofelia said on a laugh. “You’re not losing me for more than a weeklong honeymoon. I’ll be back, and nothing will be different.”

“Something will be different,” he argued. “You won’t just be my daughter after today. You’ll be his wife, too.”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

“No, but it makes me feel a little territorial. For some reason, I still want to punch him.”

It was the perfect thing to say because Ofelia’s tears dried up and she giggled. “How about you give him a free pass today?”

“I guess I can manage that.”

TANSY LOANED SULLY HER SALON, which was on the cobblestone street outside Jackson Square, to use as a preparation room before the wedding. He’d been ready for three hours when he walked into the salon. He was just that excited. Now, waiting for Ofelia to arrive in the limousine, he felt as if he were being tortured.

“You look pretty good,” Felix said, looking him up and down. When Sully had asked him to be a groomsman along with Ben, he’d readily agreed. Ofelia only had one person standing up with her, Angelique. Sully had several people standing up for him, including a favorite cousin.

“Not as good as me, but pretty good,” Felix added after a beat, looking Sully up and down. “Are you nervous?”

Sully shook his head. Surprisingly, it was true. “Nope. No man has ever been more ready to marry the woman of his dreams.”