Page 84 of One Reckless Moment

I rubbed at my chest as I ducked into the stables to hide for a few minutes. I always felt calmer around horses. They never judged your past, they only judged your character and how you treated them.

I was walking past Shadow’s stall when a familiar laugh made me stop in my tracks.

“This is such a big day, baby girl. I wish I could ride you down the aisle. I feel sad you won’t be there.”

A smile crept onto my face and my body instantly relaxed. Paige had that effect on me. I walked up to the stall and leaned my back against it.

“People might think it’s weird if you marry your horse instead of me today,” I said, facing away from the stall.

Paige screamed, and I heard her jump to her feet.

“Fuck, Jesse, you scared the shit out of me.”

I loved that she almost exclusively called me Jesse now. “I should’ve known you’d be here.”

“You always seemed to be able to sense when I was here,” she said softly.

“And I always will.”

I glanced down and saw her hand resting on the stall gate. I reached out and laid my hand on top of hers. I needed my anchor.

“I know you’re not supposed to see me today, but all I want is to be near you right now.”

“Me too, baby.”

“Close your eyes,” she said, sternly.

“What?”

“Close your eyes and keep them closed.”

I laughed, but followed her instructions. “They’re closed,” I said, smiling.

I heard the gate latch click open seconds before Paige wrapped her arms around me. I buried my head into her hair and inhaled deeply. This was where she belonged—in my arms. Paige pulled back and rose up on her toes before kissing me lightly.

“I’ll see you at the altar,” she whispered against my mouth before pulling away.

I waited a few seconds before opening my eyes and she was gone, as if I conjured her with my mind.

“I’ll see you at the altar,” I whispered into the air.

I was sweating.

Holy fuck, was I sweating.

My tie felt too tight and my shoes were uncomfortable as I stood in front of the wooden trellis with two hundred pairs of eyes on me. The entire fucking town of Ashton Creek was here. This was it. Paige was about to walk down the aisle to me and declare her love in front of everyone.

The pastor announced we were about to begin, and everyone shifted their attention to the back of the aisle. The sweet sounds of violins drifted through the air as Reid stepped up and took a bow. He had a basket full of rose petals dangling from his fingertips. He sprinkled a few at his feet before doing a dramatic leap a few feet in front of him and tossing some over the guests on the bride’s side of the aisle. He leaped again and sprinkled the other side before doing a twirl and throwing some above his head.

Cheers and whoops erupted as he continued to dance and twirl until he reached me. He lifted his little basket above my head and beamed at me. Then, he dumped the remaining rose petals directly onto my head. I shook the petals off, watching them flutter to the grass.

Whistles and laughter rang out as Reid turned and bowed to his adoring fans. It had been his one and only request for the wedding, and it was an opportunity too good not to have on video.

Everyone quieted as Taylor appeared at the start of the aisle, followed by Micah, then Lottie. The girls wore long champagne colored satin dresses in different styles with little bouquets of wild flowers in their hands. Walker clapped both hands on my shoulders from behind me as I attempted to settle my shaking hands.

Everyone stood, and my breathing was rapid as I waited for the one person I was dying to see. When Paige appeared at the end of the aisle, my heart stopped. The world around me went still—quiet. All I could see was her.

She looked like a fucking dream. She wore a thick lace dress that hugged her curves until it flared slightly around her knees. Her hair was in a thick braid over her shoulder and she had on a tan wide brim hat. The flowers in her hands were different hues of orange, pink, white, and tan, and her grandmother’s emerald ring popped against the cream satin ribbon wrapped around the stems.