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A quiet sob shook her frame and she turned toward him, grabbing him into a tight hug. Her face buried into his suit, but he didn’t care. She needed this, and he needed to be here for her. There was no telling how long he held her like that. It could have been five minutes; it could have been thirty.
Brielle shifted in his arms, resting her cheek against his shoulder. “You know, it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”
“It’s a good thing I don’t believe in bad luck. Besides, I think we’ve had our fair share of bad luck lately. We’re due for something great.”
“I like that,” she said quietly.
Wade kissed her nose. “I love you.”
* * *
“That storm lookslike it’s rolling in fast. I don’t know how long we’re going to be able to have this reception outside.” Wade motioned toward the darkening sky just as a flicker of lightning flashed in the distance. Their vows had gone off without a hitch, and now she was his forever.
Brielle glanced in that direction, then squeezed his hand. “I’m sure it will be fine. I can’t recall a really bad storm that has ever hit this far into the mountains.” She stood on her toes and kissed him gently. “But if you’re saying that just so we can get out of here, then I’m game for it.”
A swirl of desire filled his stomach, causing its own storm. Heat crawled up his neck and filled his ears. “You can’t say stuff like that. What if someone hears you?”
Brielle threw back her head and laughed. “Most of the people in attendance are married or have been married. I don’t think they’re going to be bothered by my making a statement when it comes to our first night together.”
“As much as you might be right, I’d still like for this night to remain just ours. You and me.”
She gazed at him with that look of utter adoration, and the feeling inside him roared to greater heights. “You and me,” she said. “I like that.”
“Congratulations, you two.” A woman Wade didn’t recognize stopped in front of them. Her hair was pulled away from her face and there was no telling how long it might be. She was of average height and looked to be about in her forties.
When Brielle seemed just as confused about who this woman might be, Wade cleared his throat and held out a hand. “Thank you for coming. I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”
The woman’s smile brightened. “Oh, I don’t suppose you would. I wasn’t actually invited. My son works on this ranch. We moved to the area about three months ago.”
Understanding filled Brielle’s face. “You’re Thomas’s mother, aren’t you?”
“That’s right. I’m terribly sorry for crashing your reception. I was only on my way here because Thomas’s truck broke down a few days ago and he needed a ride. Don’t want him walking home in this weather.” She glanced up at the sky, which was now a deeper shade of gray. The air hung with the scent of rain and electricity. The storm was getting closer, even if it hadn’t started raining. Soon the nice breeze would pick up, and if the stiff wind wasn’t enough to send their guests running for their cars, the lightning would.
Wade nudged Brielle. “See,” he said. “We should probably tell everyone thanks for coming.”
Brielle didn’t seem to notice his words. She moved closer to Thomas’s mother and held out her own hand. “What did you say your name was?”
“Agatha Birch.”
“Funny, Thomas has mentioned you on some of the rides we’ve taken, but he hasn’t mentioned his father…”
Wade wanted so badly to really dig his elbow into Brielle’s side. She didn’t seem to have an ounce of discretion in her body.
“That’s probably because I raised him on my own. His father was never really in the picture.” She glanced toward the sky once more. “I best be going. Congratulations again.”
“Thank you,” Wade offered.
The second Agatha was no longer in hearing range, Brielle turned to Wade. “Don’t you think she’s nice?”
“Sure, but—”
“I would be the last person to suggest that my father needed someone in his life, but after meeting her, I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps he wouldn’t benefit from such a match.”
He knew exactly where this was going, and he didn’t like it one bit. “Brielle,” he warned.
She pouted, her shoulders slumping. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking. My father had several years to find another woman to marry, and if he hasn’t found one by now, he’s not interested.”
That wasn’t what Wade was going to say, but it was similar enough that he didn’t argue. Zeke Callahan was a lot of things, but he wasn’t incapable of controlling his life. He didn’t need his daughter playing matchmaker. It was better for them to let things be. Wade pulled her toward him and swayed with her despite the music having been turned off.
