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The closer I got, the faster my heart raced. There was such irony in our situation. Holt’s hesitation to date me only made me more attracted to him. He wanted to do right by his kids instead of jumping into something just for himself.
I had to look away so I didn’t forget where I was going and walk straight up to Holt instead. I took my place next to Allie, who gave me an encouraging smile.
Karlsson Lake was shining in the background as Bess came down the aisle, tears streaming down her cheeks when she saw Grady.
When Avon came around the corner, I glanced at my brother and saw that he was about to cry, and I had to take a deep breath to keep it together. I reached for Bess’s hand and squeezed it.
Once Avon was standing beside Grady, everyone focused their attention on them. All I had to do was look slightly past them to see Holt, and when I did, I found his gaze locked on me.
I promised him I’d wait until after the wedding to give Keller an answer, and I still had no idea which direction I wanted to go.
Being near Holt made me giddy. Hopeful. Nervous. Joyful. I wanted us to be so much more than we were right now. But I respected his prioritizing his kids. It would be agonizing to be so close to him but to only be friends.
It would also be agonizing to be far away and never get to see him, Spencer and Marley.
I forced my attention back to Grady and Avon when he started reciting his vows.
“Avon...” His voice shook and he took a second to compose himself. “Shit, okay. Avon, you light up every room you walk into. You show people the best parts of themselves and everyone who knows you is better for it.” He took a breath and wiped the corner of his eye. “You stand up taller and stronger than anyone I’ve ever known. I promise to love and honor you every day for the rest of my life. Everything I have and everything I am is yours now.”
Avon beamed at him. I glanced at my mom, who had stars in her eyes. She held on to my dad’s hand, sitting next to his wheelchair. Dad looked proud; this kind of happiness was everything he’d always hoped for his children to have.
“Ryan Grady, you are a force of nature,” Avon said, smiling warmly as she began her vows. “You’re the—” her voice wavered and she took a breath—“best man I’ve ever known. Beneath that gruff facade lies the most tender, caring and generous man who would help anyone in need. You make me proud every day. I promise you my heart forever. Whatever comes our way, in sickness or in health, I’ll be by your side, always.”
Bess passed me a tissue and I wiped the corners of my eyes. My gaze slipped to Holt, who put his hand over his heart. I wanted to drop my bouquet and run straight into his arms.
Grady kissed his bride, and when it was time for the bridal party to walk back down the aisle, it wasn’t the groomsman who was supposed to be offering me his arm standing there, but Holt.
I put my arm through his, holding my skirt as we walked to avoid tripping. We’d made it almost all the way to the end when he leaned over to whisper in my ear.
“I had to know what it felt like to walk down the aisle with you.”
My stomach did a full three-sixty rotation. “And? How was it?”
His expression turned serious. “Honestly? I think I might want to do it again at some point.”
I tightened my hold on his arm, my knees weakening.
So, that really was a thing that happened outside of romance novels, and so was a man who checked all the boxes and then some.
The Barn was decorated with white roses, lilies, and sage greenery. Lights twinkled inside glass hurricane centerpieces. After last night’s rehearsal dinner, the wedding party had done all the decorating so Grady and Avon could spend time with out-of-town guests. Spencer and Marley had helped, Spencer never leaving my side.
The main cake was a masterpiece by Olivia from Sweets of Gold. It looked like a statue of Sven Karlsson, flowing red beard and all. I’d helped create secondary cakes for everyone to eat because fondant made for a spectacularly decorated cake, but it wasn’t delicious.
The DJ turned on some music, a Taylor Swift song playing as I double-checked the food details with the caterers. Grady had initially been opposed to letting me do any sort of work on the reception food, but I’d talked him into letting me and Avon come up with the options and then hiring caterers to execute the plan.
“How are you keeping the roast beef warm?” I asked a white-uniformed member of the catering team.
“I have no idea. I’m just a server.”
My anxiety about dried-out roast beef and cold potatoes was coming in hot.
“But did they tent the meat after they cooked it?” I asked.
I got a blank look in response.
“Okay, do you happen to know where Tom is?”
The head of the catering team could put my mind at ease. I’d given him specific written instructions, but it was always good to double-check.
