Page 87 of Little Bits of Daddy (Montana Daddies)

“It’s my aunt’s,” she confessed. Even though her aunt never drove it. She had a brand-new Range Rover. “I’m just borrowing it.”

Linc made a low noise that she couldn’t decipher.

“Thanks for carrying my stuff and for, uhh, rescuing me before.”

“No problem,” he replied easily. “You ever need a knight in shining armor. Or a hero in cowboy boots, you know where to find me.”

She forced herself to laugh, knowing he was joking.

But a hero in cowboy boots was exactly what she needed.

9

Charlie stood nervously outside the church.

This was it. Her big day. Her stomach was tied in knots, her heart racing. She thought she might throw up.

Calm, Charlie.

Abby and Ellie stepped up on each side of her. Each of them clasped hold of one of her hands.

“Ready, Charlie?” Abby asked.

She nodded slowly. “I think so.”

Ellie squeezed her hand. “I know it’s kind of scary. But once you get in there, all you will see is Clint and he is going to be floored at how beautiful you look.”

Her dress was cream-colored. It went out from the waist in a big puff but the top half was a tight corset. It surprised her how much she liked the princess-style, but when she’d seen it, she’d known it was for her. There were small flowers stitched into the skirt. She’d decided against a veil. Instead, there were real flowers twisted into her dark-blonde hair which was up in some sort of complicated creation she’d never be able to replicate.

“Time to go, girls,” a deep voice said from behind her. She turned her head, giving the big man behind her a small smile.

She’d worried about this part. Walking down the aisle on her own when she had no family. But then she’d realized everyone was right. Sometimes, family was who you wanted them to be. Who you chose them to be.

Ellie and Abby gave her hands a final squeezed and moved ahead of her to step into the church. Then Bear stepped up beside her, offering her his elbow.

“Don’t worry, Charlie. I’ll get you to Clint safely.”

And with that, most of her nerves disappeared. Bear would take her to Clint. And then he would take care of her. Like she would do for him.

For the rest of their lives.

She let out a breath. “Thanks for walking me down the aisle, Bear.”

“My pleasure, little one. I’m honored.”

She’d been worried that she was stealing Bear from Clint. She’d thought he might have wanted him as a groomsman. But Clint had already decided who he wanted standing next to him.

As they stepped into the church, she saw everyone stand. They all turned to look at her. Faces smiling. Everyone she loved and cared about. Her gaze went past them all, to the end. There stood Clint, his gaze firmly fixed on her. Love shining from his face.

And the last of the nerves dropped away. Her gaze ran over Kent. Then fell to where Eden sat in her chair next to him. It seemed right. All of the Jensens beaming, waiting to welcome her fully into their family.

Where she was supposed to be.

Clint twirledCharlie around in his arms.

He saw Kent making a move towards him and he bared his teeth, growling as he clasped her close.

“Clint? What’s wrong?”

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