Page 132 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bride

The first time we met, his eyes held so much anger, distrust, resentment. But now, the pale blue swims with nothing but love, understanding, and need. And from here, as we start moving down the aisle, I can tell he’s already been crying.

His gaze drops from mine to my dress, the corner of his mouth slowly tilting as I had hoped it would when I chose it.

We make our way down the aisle, past Jensen and his wife, Travis and his, Ursula, Miriam and Dr. Anderson, and a few other members of the board Silas has grown friendly with over the last few months.

Even Carly and her husband made the trek to Millsburg for the occasion. The tears already stream down her face, and she gives me a little wave, her excitement practically contagious as I make it up onto the altar where Carrie Ann, my only true friend in Millsburg stands waiting as my Maid of Honor.

Joey leans in, giving the same goofy smile he always had as a kid. “You found a good one, sis.”

He kisses me on the cheek and moves to stand next to Silas as hishumanbest man—on the opposite side of Whiskey, looking dashing with his black bow tie—an arrangement Silas insisted on when we were planning our nuptials, given how close they’ve become since Joey came to live with us.

Working side by side, building a small cabin for Joey so he has his own space to grow and become the man he wants to be. Caring for the animals, even showing Joey how to ride Lasher, to find his freedom in galloping along the river shoreline or across the mountain meadows filled with the spring wildflowers. Teaching him to swing an axe and passing along the skills he learned that have allowed him to find peace up here.

Joey pauses next to him and whispers something.

Silas gives him a stern look and nods, then steps forward and takes my hand. He brushes his lips against my ear, the light contact and warm breath against my skin raising goosebumps across my entire body. “A red wedding dress?”

I smile even though he can’t see it, leaning closer to him and squeezing his hand tightly. “You told me I wasn’t going to be able to wear white again…and you delivered.”

He pulls back with a grin that makes heat rise in my cheeks. So much promise now lies in his gaze, and the scarred man who once growled everything at me and stomped around the property like I was an unwanted invader now looks at me like I’m the only other person in the world.

Silas’ ink will forever cover the evidence of what happened to him, will always at least partially conceal it from the world, but what he did at Bolton Steel that day set him free from the pain of it.

It gave him the strength to face his demons and chase them away, hopefully for good. But if they return, he knows how to fight them. Exactly like this—with me at his side.

We twine our fingers together and turn to face the minister. After battling for what has felt like forever, we’re finally ready to start the rest of our lives together.

Again.

Without contracts. Without secrets. Without the outside world influencing our decision.

Just Silas and me.

Justus.

* * *

SILAS

Nothing could have prepared me for seeing Lyla in this dress, walking down the aisle toward me.

Absolutely fucking nothing.

My knees practically gave out; I was so ready to drop to them at her feet and worship her right here, right now. Instead, I have to control myself, at least until the end of the ceremony, when I can take her home, tear off that dress, and ravage her the way I’ve been fantasizing about since the day we signed our annulment papers.

She’ll be my wife again in a few minutes, taking her rightful place as Mrs. Bolton—again.

The emotion threatening to choke me makes it almost impossible for me to concentrate on what the minister says. I’m too lost in staring at Lyla and how stunning she looks today, howhappyshe is—truly happy—and knowing I’m part of the reason makes everything we went through to get here worthwhile.

Joey nudges me.

Shit.

I’m supposed to be saying something.

Lyla looks over at me, eyes wide, probably wondering what the fuck is going on and why I’m not doing what I’m supposed to.

I clear my throat and nod at the minister. “I’m sorry. Can you repeat that?”

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