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forever love. And if you know this is it for you, I support you with everything I have.”
She closed her eyes and breathed her brother in, that familiar scent of his cologne giving her peace. “Thank you.”
He kissed the crown of her head. “And if you’re just marrying him for his money and hot body, I can support that, too.”
She snorted. “I’ve done just fine supporting myself, thank you very much.”
He leaned back and looked down at her. “I know. You’ve always worked hard and landed on your feet. Your numb, cold feet.”
She grinned and wiggled her toes. “I can feel them again. I think the shoes are a size too small. Think anyone will care if I’m barefoot?”
“Well, your flower girl is sporting a blue Mohawk, so I’m thinking no one’s going to be looking at your feet.”
Oakley laughed. “She wanted to be my something blue.”
There was a knock at the door, and Tessa poked her head in. Oakley still couldn’t believe that so many people had gotten here on such short notice. Apparently, Gibson had put all of Pike’s friends on notice when he’d helped Oakley set up her trip. Tessa sent her a warm smile. “Ready to go? They’re all set to start.”
Oakley took a long, deep breath, finding no qualms or hesitation inside her. She nodded. “I am so ready.”
Pike stood at the end of the aisle in the lush garden that he and Oakley had chosen for their ceremony. It was small and intimate, a little oasis in the Vegas desert. He’d figured that with neither of them having a connection to their families, outside of Oakley’s brother, that they wouldn’t need much room. But right now it was packed full of people, no seats left. A fact that stunned the hell out of him.
When he and Oakley had decided on Friday that they would get married, he’d had no idea that Gibson had put all his friends on standby. The minute the news had gotten out, plans had started flying. In a matter of hours, a wedding had been planned. Kade had offered company jets to fly everyone to Vegas and had one of his restaurants in the area handle the catering. Jace’s wife, Evan, offered to do the photography. Foster had happily agreed to be best man. Colby and Keats would provide live music. And all of the rest of the friends he’d made through the years at The Ranch and his two bandmates had been there to help with whatever was needed. Foster had even managed to get Mama Flora and her boys on a plane.
Pike didn’t know how to process all that support and kindness. The kid whose family didn’t want him now had a crowd of people who loved him. A family.
And now he’d start his own with Oakley.
The music started up, Colby and Keats on acoustic guitars, and Pike straightened his shoulders, beyond ready to see his woman walk down the aisle. But the first member of the wedding party made his way out first—and made Pike laugh out loud.
Coming down the walkway was a very annoyed Monty. Someone had dressed him in a doggie tux, and Monty was currently doing his best to get ahold of the bowtie so he could tear it to shreds. Monty only made it a few steps down the aisle before plopping on his belly, legs out behind him, as he apparently staged a protest.
Reagan was following behind, blue faux-hawk gleaming in the sunlight, and Converse on her feet despite the dress she was wearing. God, he loved that kid. She sent Pike a big grin and swept Monty up in her arms to get him out of the way. When she reached the end of the aisle, she pushed up on her toes to give Pike a kiss on the cheek. Monty joined in and gave him a sloppy lick.
Reagan giggled and pulled Monty back. She looked up at Pike. “Make sure to bend your knees so you don’t faint. I saw that on TV.”
He chuckled. “I’ll be sure to do that.”
Pike watched her, a strange pride swelling as Rae walked to her seat. He and Oakley had sat down with her yesterday to explain what was happening. Instead of her being upset or worried that Pike was a threat to her tight bond with her mom, Rae had taken it in stride, telling them, “I knew y’all were in love like the movies.”
He knew it wouldn’t necessarily be an easy transition for her. She’d had Oakley to herself all her life, and he didn’t want to impede on their relationship. But he hoped that in time she’d come to see him as a part of her family, as a person she could come to, as a dad. The thought of being that to anyone still rocked him off balance, but now instead of wanting to run, he couldn’t wait to take on the challenge.
The music changed and Pike turned his attention to the back of the garden. He hadn’t seen Oakley since last night and already it felt like too long. So when she stepped into the sunlight, hair braided with flowers, barefoot, and looking as beautiful as he’d ever seen her, he had to stop himself from sprinting down the aisle and sweeping her into his arms.
Her gaze met his and for a moment, they were the only two people in the garden. A slow smile spread over her lips, and she let Devon guide her forward. The crowd had stood for her arrival and none of them could look away either. His girl was an angel—a fierce, kick-his-ass-when-he-needs-it, never-give-him-an-inch angel. And she wanted to be with him. She loved him.
When they reached the end of the aisle, he took Oakley’s hand from Devon’s hold. Her hand was warm in his, her eyes as calm and content as he’d ever seen them.
“You look beautiful,” he said, low enough for only her to hear.
She touched the lapel of his jacket. “So do you.”
He put his hand over hers, holding it against his chest. “Ready for forever, mama?”
The joy that lit her eyes made the colorful garden pale around them. “Only if it’s with you.”
He closed his eyes, breathing in her words, her love, the spaces inside him that had been empty and dark for so long filling with her light. He’d been to almost every corner of the world. But he’d never been here.
He was home.
