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“Shhh, baby, it’s okay. You’re safe now,” I assure her. “I’ve got you.” She nods against my chest as more tears fall. I feel my eyes stinging. I look up, blinking hard to force them away. Rosco is grinning down at us. He slaps me on the shoulder.
“I’m going to see if I can help keep Bo calm while Dalton frees Shelby,” Rosco informs me. “You two will be all right?” I nod. Enos is still standing there with Kristen, who is for once, speechless. Rosco heads down the street in the direction Shelby was taken.
Marley raises her head with a smile on her face, despite the tears. I lean into her, kissing her deeply. “God, I’m so glad to have you back,” I whisper between kisses to her lips, her cheeks, and her eyelids. I wipe her tears away before pulling her back to rest her head on my chest. It has always felt good to have her in my arms, but I won’t forget this feeling until my dying day. Holding her close after being so certain I would never be able to do so again is indescribable. “I love you, Marley, so damn much it hurts, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I love you, too, Luke.” Marley kisses me, softly. “Take me home?” I nod as we head to my SUV. Marley crawls into the passenger seat while my chair is settled into the driver’s seat. Once we have gotten my chair secured, I’m about to start up to leave when I hear static on the comm.
“Disarming Shelby’s device, now,” Dalton declares. I glance at Marley. I take her hand to comfort her. Her face pinched withworry. “All clear!” Dalton calls out after a bit. Marley blows out a huge breath of relief.
“Thank, God!” Marley exclaims. “Shelby is never going to forgive me for getting her into this mess, but at least, she’s free from the vest now.” I frown at her.
“Shelby can’t blame you for this,” I murmur. “You couldn’t have stopped them from showing up at the bar that night and taking you both.” Marley gives me a knowing look.
“Like you haven’t been beating yourself up since we were taken?” she questions me, already knowing the answer. I give her a sheepish grin because I’m guilty as charged, but it’s not the same thing at all. “It’s sweet that you want to keep me safe always, but you need to understand none of this was your fault, either, Luke. It’s on Konner and those jerks who took us.”
I know Marley is correct in her assessment of the situation. I just wish I could have stopped it before it happened. Marley is looking at me with such love and concern. I can’t allow my insecurities to come between us. She doesn’t blame me for her abduction, so I need to stop blaming myself.
“You’re right, baby,” I concur. “You’re always right.” I grin at her. She smiles brightly.
“Just remember, you said it, not me,” She laughs. I may have to eat my words in the future, but as long as I have her by my side, I’ll gladly eat crow every day of the week. “Now take me home.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I comply and put the vehicle in motion.
MARLEY
Two weeks later…
My wedding day has finally, arrived. I thought I’d be so nervous, but a calm has settled over me. I’d slept in the room with my mom last night, keeping with the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding. Mom and Daisy had helped me pick my dress. I can’t wait for Luke to see me in it. He’s going to love it. It’s a simple, flowing white, satin gown with lace overlay in the bodice. It’s a short sleeve with sweetheart neckline that reveals just the right amount of cleavage. It hits just at my knees. It’s a lovely dress, perfect for a beachfront wedding.
Our mothers have been on their best behavior since the day they arrived. I think Luke’s speech the first time we attempted this got his point across. It’s been nice to spend some time with my mom, but Luke’s mother is still giving me the cold shoulder. She has kept the catty comments to herself, but she isn’t very friendly. I try not to take it personally. She isn’t friendly with her own children, especially Daisy. I don’t understand how a mother and daughter can’t be close, but they’ve shown me it’s possible.
A knock on the door draws my attention. Daisy pokes her head in the door. “Hey, are you ready?” I make eye contact withher in the mirror. I nod, rising from my seat, taking my bouquet from the dressing table. Daisy is dressed in a lovely lavender satin halter-top dress with a loose belt around the waist, and the fabric falls to her ankles. She has her dark hair up with sprigs of baby’s breath. She looks absolutely gorgeous.
“Oh Marley! You’re so beautiful. You’re practically glowing.” I can feel my face heat at her compliment. I’ve never liked being the center of attention, and I sure don’t think I’m beautiful even though Luke loves to tell me how much he thinks I am. He’s blind with his love for me, though. “Everyone is out on the boardwalk,” Daisy tells me. I smile at her.
“Good. Let’s do this!” We giggle, heading out of the bedroom and down the stairs to join the rest of the wedding party on the patio. Luke and the minister are already at the end of the boardwalk. I can’t see him well due to the people and the distance. Our mothers and guests have been seated where they can see the ceremony. My bridesmaids and Luke’s groomsmen are milling around the patio, waiting for the big event to get started. When Daisy and I exit the house, everyone on the patio hurries over to offer congratulations and encouragement for me not to be nervous. It isn’t needed. I’m not nervous. I’m more than ready to be Luke’s wife and, someday, the mother of his children.
The music begins to play for the bridal party to begin walking down the aisle that’s been made for this special day. Bo steps up to Shelby. He holds out his arm to her. I can see she’s nervous as she slips her hand in the crook of his arm. Shelby is like me. She’s a little thicker and curvier than what society considers normal. She has little confidence in herself.
Bo leans down to whisper something to her and her face flushes a deep crimson. He raises back up with a satisfied grin, looking down at her. If he's not being nice to Shelby, I’ll have to kick his ass. I shake my head, knowing he has likely said something highly inappropriate, most likely of a sexual nature. Bo islike an overgrown teenage boy. He is always testing Luke’s patience, and it seems he is trying to test mine, today, too.
Rosco holds his arm out to Ashley Matthews, an old friend from the diner. She doesn’t work there anymore, but we have stayed in touch over the years. Enos is walking Hillary Mills, another friend from high school. Last, but not least, is Daisy and her man, Ethan “Ace” Gibson. Several of Daisy’s friends and Ace’s teammates have come up to share in our special day. I couldn’t be happier. Even Kristen sitting on the groom’s side isn’t going to spoil my elation.
When it is finally my turn to make my way to Luke, I hold my head high as I begin to walk toward my future. I don’t need anyone to give me away. I’m giving myself to Luke and a lifetime of happiness.
At last, I get a good look at him. He is in a black tuxedo. His dark hair is combed back in a handsome swoop. His beard and mustache are neatly trimmed. His dark eyes are alight with love. He pushes to his feet, to my surprise, putting most of his weight on his crutches. Rosco kneels down to lock Luke’s leg braces, which will help him to stand for the ceremony.
When our eyes meet, he smiles so widely that I nearly lose my breath. He is without a doubt the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He drinks me in from head to toe and back again. I can feel his eyes undressing me. My body responds as it always does to his touch. I can feel my desire for him growing, my nipples tightening in my bra, and moisture pooling between my thighs. It’s going to be torture waiting for the ceremony to be over so we can get to the good stuff. I smile back at him as my mind focuses on the man who’s changed my whole life in a short amount of time.
Hours later,we are in his SUV headed to the airport where a private jet awaits us. We are leaving for our honeymoon. He’s been cryptic about just where we are going on this honeymoon. When I asked what type of clothes to pack, he’d said I didn’t need any as he didn’t plan on letting me leave our bed the entire time. I just rolled my eyes at him, knowing he is exaggerating. At least, I think he is.
“Where are we going?” I ask for the hundredth time, pouting when he doesn’t answer right away. “We are about to board a plane. I think I should know where we are going.” He glances at me with a grin.
“Is someone getting testy already?” He quirks an eyebrow up at me. “We haven’t been married a full day yet. You can’t be getting annoyed already. Forever is a very long time, you know?” I swat at his arm playfully.
“Please?” I beg. “Tell me.”
“Okay,” he concedes, “We are going to Hawk’s cabin in Kentucky. It’s near a beautiful lake. There are farm animals to see. We can go out on a pontoon boat to fish, swim, or just enjoy the water. The best part is we will be completely alone if we want to be.” He’s smiling so huge that I can’t keep from smiling back. “I definitely want to be alone with you.”
“And I with you, my love.”
