He gives me a big hug, not being careful about the veil, or my hair, and pressing it flat. I don’t care. My dad is the best. He’s a bit abrupt with a lot of people, but when it comes to my sistersand me, he saves up all that squishy, lovely inside, and I’m not mad about it.
“It’s not too late,” Dad says. “You can live with me forever, you know.”
The door opens again, and Mom walks in. “Hubert, you’re ruining her hair!” she exclaims.
Dad releases me, and Mom fusses as she sets about adjusting my veil and hair again. “What a wonderful day. I can’t believe you’re finally getting married and moving out of the house.”
I give Dad a pointed look. His lips press into a flat line.
“Are you all ready? You’re a couple of minutes late,” Mom says. “But that’s okay. There are still guests coming.”
Charlie and Belle walk into the room, wearing their matching pale-yellow sundresses. The two of them and Briar are my bridesmaids.
Zane’s oldest brother, Aidan, flew in from Colorado to be his best man. His middle brother, Drew, unfortunately couldn’t make it due to being stationed in an unknown location with the military. So Zane asked Max and Nash to be his groomsmen.
Magnolia kindly agreed to be the guest book attendant, and I’m sure she’s out there making friends.
“Everyone is ready,” Charlie informs me. “You look amazing, Bliss. Zane is so lucky.”
“That’s so nice of you to say,” I tell her.
Charlie holds the door open, and the rest of us walk out into the hallway and make our way through the Maddens’ house.
“How are we going to walk down the path without your dress getting all dirty?” Mom says.
Belle steps behind me and lifts up the train. “Don’t worry; I’ve got it,” she says.
Belle is also pregnant, but she’s only five months along. It’s her first, and her bump isn’t quite as big as Briar’s, so she’s able to bend a little easier.
I take a slow, shaky breath as we start down the path toward the barn, the barn where I’m about to get married despite all my concerns. I know deep down that this is the right thing to do for my life. But all I can do is watch my red cowboy boots carry me toward commitment. It’s as though someone else is operating my legs for me. Because surely I’m not about to marry Zane?
If I were to explain it to other people, I don’t think it would make sense. I don’t think they would understand why I’m marrying Zane. Right now I truly do feel like a burden to my parents. They wouldn’t understand that he’s offering me an honest place of belonging. Somewhere I’m welcome.
He might not love me, but he wantsme, out of everyone, to be his wife.
I’m going to promise him forever in front of all our friends and family.
CHAPTER 15
Zane
It’sthe second time I’ve been left standing in front of wedding guests while my bride is late.
I fight the urge to look around for a clock. I know I won’t find one, not in my dad’s barn.
I keep my eyes trained on the open barn doors. There’s a calm in my heart, and I don’t know why, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that Bliss will walk through those doors at any moment. I know she won’t leave me here, standing in front of all our friends and family—again. I know she will follow through on her promise, and I smile at that.
This time, I don’t bother to hide my grin. It is my wedding day after all. People would expect to see some joy, wouldn’t they? And that grin is exactly what Bliss sees when she steps around the corner on her father’s arm.
Wow, is she beautiful.
I’m beginning to think I should’ve taken the time to date her properly and for real, but it’s a little too late since we’re getting married.
My smile wanes as the music changes and she takes a step toward me. Her dress has a swoop up in the front, showcasingher red cowboy boots that we bought together. The slit on one side of the dress showcases her toned legs. She has her hair curled softly around her face. The shiny black curls accentuate her blue eyes even more than normal.
Hubert looks a little misty-eyed, and now I know why they’re late. He was probably trying to talk her out of marrying me. I don’t blame him; I would too.
She is special, and she deserves the best. Our marriage is unconventional. We didn’t fall madly in love with each other and promise to love each other forever. We’re both a solution to the other person’s problem. And strangely enough, I think we’re both the only people we trust. While that isn’t a wildly romantic reason to get married, I intend to mean the vows that I say today. I plan on trying my best to make her happy.
