Page 54 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

He was all in.

17

THERADIOBEEPEDand Cade’s voice, clear and smooth, announced Eli had taken his place.

Emma faced Tyson and Reagan. “Ready?”

Reagan let out a little sob. “Yes, please. I’d begun to worry that time had stopped.”

“Not quite,” Tyson said with quiet assurance. “It just paused, giving you a moment to breathe.”

“Longest breathever,” Reagan grumbled as they started from the house and Emma laughed.

“That’s how these things go. And in fifteen minutes? It’ll all be over. You’ll be Mrs. Elijah Covington. All this hype for a fast ceremony, but we’ve all dreamed about our perfect Prince Charming since we were girls.” Emma smiled softly. “You’re just lucky enough to be marrying yours.”

The three of them made their way to the event hall, arriving to find Cade stationed outside the closed doorway.

Emma frowned. “You’re supposed to be inside, standing next to Eli.”

“I want to walk you down the aisle.”

“What?” she gasped. “No! Get inside and take your place. As maid of honor, I walk alone.”

“Not today, Ms. Graystone.” He proffered his arm. “Now, we can stand out here arguing where the back half of the hall can probably hear us, or you can take my arm and walk down the aisle with me. I’ll make sure you’re situated before our beautiful bride takes her stroll down the aisle. Choice is yours.”

Emma bit the inside of her cheek, thinking. This wasn’t worth dragging the ceremony out over. “I wish you’d mentioned this last night.”

“You’d have wiggled out of it.” He grasped her right hand and tucked it around his arm before looking at Ty. “Donotdance her down the aisle. Eli’s about to stroke out as is.”

Ty grinned. “I’m on my best behavior.”

Cade laughed. “That’s what terrifies me. It’s then that your most creative ideas are usually generated.”

Without further ado, Cade saw Emma inside and the music began to play. They walked down the aisle to the traditionalCannon in D, and Cade kept the pace slow and leisurely.

“You look absolutely stunning,” he murmured.

Eyes straight ahead, she replied with a terse, “Thanks.”

“I mean it, Emma. The sight of you blew me away.”

People stared at them as they passed, checking her out as if she was from the “Stranger of the Month” club and needed a thorough examination to ensure her urban aura wouldn’t taint the community’s supply of single men, Bingo hall or water supply.

“Stop. Talking,” she said out the side of her mouth.

“Nah. Most of these folks would think we were stuffy if we didn’t chat a little.”

Her hand flexed on his arm. “Shh.”

Cade grinned as they reached the front of the hall and he deposited her on the second step of the stage.

“Firststep,” she hissed.

“Why?” He backed away. “I want to be equal with you in all things.”

Her eyes widened at the same time as her lips parted. “What?”

Shaking his head, he took his place across from her and signaled the string quartet.