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“I’m so lucky that you got stuck with me freshman year,” she says, and I laugh.
“Yeah, I am.”
She wraps her arms around me just as someone knocks on the door.
“Okay to come in?” Mom asks.
“Yeah, come on in, Mom.”
“Oh my gosh,” Mom whispers as she steps into the bedroom and covers her mouth with her hands, tears building in her eyes.
“Don’t start, Mama. If you cry, then I’m going to cry.”
She fans her face and looks up at the ceiling, trying to dry her eyes, but when she glances down at me again, her lips tremble. “Oh, I just can’t help it. My only baby is getting married today, and you look absolutely gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” I sigh, a slight blush staining my cheeks as I turn back to the mirror. Well, here’s the blushing bride. Let’s go find a groom. “Are you sure you guys are okay with all this?”
They were pretty surprised when I told them I was getting married but they loved Logan from the moment they met him.
“What?”
“All the guys in leather out there?” I joke, pointing out the window where guests are milling by the back deck.
“Those sweet boys? I couldn’t be happier. It seems like you’re getting a whole family.”
I laugh. Only my mother would refer to a group of big, tatted up bikers as sweet boys.
“Are we ready to get this show on the road? They’re ushering people down to their seats,” Dad says, stepping into the room and pausing when he sees me. “Good Lord,” he whispers, his hand over his heart.
“Now, don’t go having a heart attack until your daughter says, ‘I do’,” Mom says, scolding him, and I laugh, which seems to snap him out of his trance. He shakes his head and smiles.
“I swear, just last week you were my baby girl and riding around on my shoulders.”
“Dad,” I whisper, tears welling up in my eyes, and Mom rolls her eyes.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Let’s get her in the golf cart before you both start blubbering like babies,” she scolds us like she wasn’t just doing the same thing. “Carly and Izzy, go on now. There’s a second golf cart waiting for you.”
They duck out of the room and I smirk as I put my shoes on and slip my arm through Dad’s. He tucks his arm in and pats my hand as he leads me out to the front of the cabin where a golf cart is waiting for me. There is a large white tent down by the edge of the lake where Logan is waiting for me, and I can’t wait to get to him. After the attack, this day couldn’t come quick enough, and we almost gave in and just eloped but Logan was adamant about giving me my dream wedding.
I slip into my seat, and Mom hands me my bouquet before hopping on the back as Dad sits beside me. “Ready to do this, Sweetie?”
I nod, no hesitation. “More than ready.”
He smiles and starts the golf cart, butterflies flapping around in my belly as we drive across the meadow, toward the edge of the lake where my man is waiting for me. The frogs croak, and crickets chirp as the entire yard is lit up by thousands of white twinkle lights hanging from the trees all around us. They reflect off the water as the stars wink at us from above our heads, and I can’t think of a more perfect way to marry him.
Dad stops the cart at the end of the aisle and climbs out, walking around the back to help me out. Home by Blue October starts playing, and Dad holds his hand out for me. As I slip my hand into his, he helps me out of the golf cart. My eyes meet Logan’s at the end of the aisle, and he beams, smiling through the tears in his eyes, and I clear my throat, feeling a little choked up as Dad takes my hand again, and we start off down the aisle.
When we reach the end, Dad passes my hand over to Logan and slaps him on the shoulder. “I would tell you to take care of her but you’ve already saved her life, so just make sure that she’s happy.”
“Absolutely, Sir,” Logan vows, nodding, and Dad smiles before joining Mom in the front row. Logan looks back to me, and a soft smile stretches across his face. “You look stunning, Kitten,” he whispers, and I blush again.
I didn’t think Logan could get more attractive but in a tux with his dark hair in his face, he looks so good that it hurts. He takes my hand and nods to the pastor, who steps forward.
“Welcome, friends and family. We’re here this evening to witness the love between Logan and Ali as they commit themselves to each other forever in Holy Matrimony.”
Several loud whoops come from the audience, and I giggle as I look out, getting a wink from Kodiak and Chance. As my gaze rakes over the guests, Emma catches my eye, and I smile. It was certainly a surprise to realize how connected we all are, and I’m happy that Logan has someone else in his corner. Her husband, Nix, wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her closer as he leans down and whispers something in her ear. Her smile changes as she peeks up at him, and I turn back to Logan as he shakes his head and squeezes my hand.
“They wanted to keep this short and sweet so we’re going to jump right into the vows. Logan,” the pastor says, stepping back, and Logan smiles at me.