AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I want you, crazy woman. I can’t believe you already have your dress.”
“You’re not mad?”
“No.” A smile finally spread across his face. “I’m excited. What do you need me to do?”
“Show up looking gorgeous in a black tux and bow tie.”
“You’ve got this all planned out, don’t you?”
“I want country elegance.”
“She gave us a list,” Jack added with a roll of his eyes.
“You’ll have everything you want, sweetheart. I promise.” He sealed it with a kiss.
Chapter Twelve
SUMMER STOOD ATthe back of the chapel and stared down the white rose petal–dappled aisle at Caleb waiting for her. Candles and the dimmed chandelier overhead cast a soft glow over the room. Evergreen boughs with white roses, freesia, and hydrangeas decorated the ends of the pews and the altar, filling the air with their sweet scent. Beautiful; she loved the warm and cozy feel. With everyone dressed in tuxes and elegant dresses, she’d achieved the country elegance she dreamed of for her wedding day.
Caleb’s eyes went wide with surprise, then darkened with pure heat. She smiled, knowing exactly how he felt. She’d missed him this past week. Jack, Sam, and Blake kept him busy with the wedding preparations. Every time he tried to sneak over to see her at the cabin, they detained him and took him back to the big house. At first, she thought it funny and a bit traditional for the bride and groom to forgo any intimacy before the wedding, but she missed him. Tonight, they’d come together as husband and wife. She felt the crackle of electricity and passion between them all the way across the chapel.
“Are you sure about this, baby girl?”
She glanced up at her father’s rugged face. “I’ve never been more sure about anything or anyone.”
Her father placed his hand over hers on his arm and gave it a squeeze. Believing in her and the certainty she put into the words, he took the first step with her down the aisle. As they approached, Jack, Sam, Blake, and Caleb’s other two brothers, Gabe and Dane, stood and moved into position next to Caleb. Her bridesmaids waited on the other side. The men wore black tuxes with red bow ties. Caleb’s was black to set him apart. Only he wore a hat, the Stetson she’d given him for Christmas. Her girlfriends wore red dresses and their hair styled in chic old Hollywood styles. They looked gorgeous and received many appreciative glances from her and Caleb’s brothers. Caleb only had eyes for her.
The preacher moved into position. Her father turned to face her and traced his finger down the curve of her hair as it cascaded down over one shoulder in a sleek wave. He squeezed both her shoulders and leaned in and kissed her forehead. His hand brushed down her bare arm to her hand. He took it and placed it in Caleb’s. Her father didn’t let go, but covered their joined hands between his. He looked from her to Caleb.
“Always be kind to each other. Love each other each and every day.”
“We will, sir. I’ll make her happy,” Caleb promised.
“I know you will, son.”
Son. It meant so much that her father accepted him into the family.
Caleb kept his hold on Summer’s hand, and her father took his seat beside her smiling, misty-eyed mother in the first pew. He glanced at his own smiling parents, thankful to have them here and all his brothers at his back along with his best friend, Jack.
He couldn’t take his eyes off Summer. She glowed, more beautiful than any woman he’d ever seen. He loved the dress with jeweled clips at the tops of her shoulders and a deep V down to her lovely rounded breasts. The silky material dappled with crystals hugged her curves and draped all the way to the floor. Crystal jewels over lace made a belt at her waist. She reminded him of a gorgeous actress in an old black and white movie.
Truthfully, he couldn’t believe they’d pulled off this wedding in a week, but Summer knew what she wanted and made it happen with help from family and friends. Seemed everyone loved the idea of a New Year’s Eve wedding, and especially seeing him and Summer together.
“We are gathered here today to join Caleb and Summer in holy matrimony,” the preacher began.
Caleb held Summer’s hands and didn’t feel any nerves. She smiled up at him, completely at ease. As he focused on her, the preacher’s words sounded hollow around him until Summer said in a clear voice, “I do.”
The preacher repeated the vows and Caleb answered with an easy “I do.”
“You may now kiss your bride.”
Caleb didn’t need to be told twice. He pulled her close and gave her a very respectable but intimate kiss on the lips.
“I love you.” He took the hat from his head and held it in front of both their faces so the crowd in the chapel couldn’t see the kiss he laid on her. He took his time, showing her a glimpse of the hunger and need he’d unleash later when they were alone.
The men behind him whooped, hollered, and whistled. Summer’s friends giggled. The photographer snapped pictures.
He ended the kiss with a sweep of his mouth over hers and put his hat back on his head before her eyes opened again, making him smile.
