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“Hey, Harper!” I call her over since Grayson’s too busy threatening Kenzie’s life for getting him wet.
“Connor and I were gonna see the new Marvel movie next weekend, and since Grayson’s a huge fan, we said he could tag along. You wanna join us? We have an extra ticket.”
I keep my eyes on her, watching Ethan’s lips form into a straight line. Harper glances at Ethan, then brings her attention back to me. “Uh, maybe. I’ll have to check my work schedule. I can text you tomorrow and let you know, though.”
Seeing Ethan annoyed has me smiling wide.
“That’d be great! I’d hate for our ticket to go to waste.”
Ethan shoots me death glares, then walks away with Harper next to him. I can only imagine what he’s going to say to her once they’re alone.
“So…we gonna plan this wedding or what?” Maize comes up. “Can I just request it’s not within the next six months? Give me some time to lose some of this baby weight.”
I look at Connor. “Not sure I can wait that long.”
“Ugh, the engagement glow has already surfaced,” Maize teases.
Connor wraps his arm around me, tilting up my chin. “I’m not waiting a second longer than I have to.” He leans in and brushes his lips against mine.
“Pretty sure that violates a few employer/employee codes…” Maize chuckles, making me laugh too. “But then again, no good love story ever began by following the rules.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Connor
FOUR MONTHS LATER
This morning I woke up and pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t imagining that I’d be marrying the woman of my dreams today. Honestly, if someone had told me years ago that I’d be tying the knot again, I’d have called them a liar. But I have zero regrets proposing to Elle.
I thought about how I’d do it a million times. The way Elle looked at me and kissed me meant everything. Later that night, we made love until sunrise. Elle was grateful Olivia was included and thanked me for making it so special.
She’s been everything I’ve ever wanted and needed in life and has proved that a thousand times over.
And today, we’re making it official.
“You look so happy, Daddy,” Olivia says after we park and get out of the truck. My mother is supposed to lead Olivia to Elle so they can get dressed together. Since she wants to do things as traditional as possible, I’m not allowed to see her before the wedding.
“I am. The happiest I’ve been since the day you were born. How ‘bout you?” I grab her hand, and we walk across Elle’s grandparent’s lawn.
“I’m super-duper happy,” she admits, and I smile wider.
When Olivia spots my mother, she runs toward her. When Dad is close, he leans in and gives me a hug, and then Mom pulls me in close too.
“Excited for you.” Mom beams.
“Grammy’s gonna show you where to go.” I lean down and give Olivia a kiss before making my way to a tent that’s set up for the guy’s changing quarters.
After I’m dressed, and my tie is straight, Ethan walks over to me. “Nervous?”
“Not at all. I feel like I’ve been waiting a lifetime for this.”
“Elle has too,” he says just as I’m surrounded by Elizabeth’s dad and the other Bishop men. We share a shot of whiskey and relax an hour before the ceremony begins.
Gavin stands next to me. “The ranch is a perfect place to have a wedding. I think at this point, it’s tradition.”
“It really is,” I admit. Even better that it’s September, and the weather is mild. Elle loves fall, and we agreed that we hadn’t wanted a long engagement, so we planned it in only four months. She picked autumn colors for the bridesmaid dresses and flowers, and as long as she was happy, I didn’t mind. Instead of renting a venue, she wanted the ceremony to be held in her grandparents’ backyard under the old oak tree.
I check the time and realize the ceremony is going to start soon.
When I move to the front of a crowd of three hundred, their voices fall to a whisper. My mind races as I think of everything Elle and I have been through over the years. As the string quartet begins to play, a montage of memories floods through my mind.
All of Elizabeth’s cousins make their way down the aisle, and I grin wide when Olivia throws orange and white flower petals. She smiles up at me, and I give her a wink as she takes a seat next to my parents in the front row.
When the “Wedding March” begins, I grow more anxious. As soon I spot my gorgeous bride, my heart nearly stops at how breathtaking she is. Her bright green eyes meet mine, and we hold a silent conversation. Nothing in the world has ever been more right than this. I can tell she’s full of emotions, but so am I.
