Page 79 of Ghosted By Texas

“Hi Daddy!” Clea shuffled to the man, in the heels that I was surprised she still managed to keep on her feet. Then she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. I wished I had that. He hadn’t been there much while Clea was growing up because he was off doing the military thing and earning money. Still, he was there for her on her important day.

I’d supported my parents for a little over a year after my father lost his job. I even worked a second job to do it, and when I called to tell them I was pregnant, they were too put out about being grandparents to even ask if I was doing okay.

“You ladies ready?” Clea’s dad asked.

“Yep,” she grinned at the man as she spoke.

“Let’s go,” I offered as I lifted my dress up in my hands and headed for the doors that would open so my best friend could walk down the aisle to her own Mr. Texas and their future together.

When I got closer, I realized the doors were already open and saw that Austin was making a fool of himself at Clea’s wedding. Damn him.

“Um,” I hesitated to tell her.

“Something wrong?” She asked as they moved closer. Clea looked guilty as she asked though, almost like she already knew what I’d seen.

“Either you made my baby daddy your Maid of Honor or he’s standing in the wrong place,” I explained.

That was when Mr. Mercer popped out of the shadows and yanked me into a hug. “Take a leap of faith and let me walk you down the aisle to a better future with my boy.”

“But he…”

“Is your one, just like you’re his,” Mr. Mercer explained in no uncertain terms. “He messed up bigtime, and if he does it again, I’ll bring my own damn shovel along to help with that body.” He pulled back and winked at me. I couldn’t help but smile at the man as his eyes twinkled with humor and something else that I’d been missing all my life. The love of a father.

Dammit. My makeup probably wouldn’t survive the next five minutes, never mind the rest of the day. I honestly couldn’t tell you where Clea was or why I was the one being walked arm-in-arm by my very soon-to-be father-in-law first. All I could see was a blurry version of Austin waiting for me at the end of the flower-strewn aisle.

“You take care of her and love her until your dying breath,” Mr. Mercer told his son before he placed my hand in Austin’s.

“That’s a promise I intend to keep,” he told his dad. The conversation they had at the first family dinner I ever attended came back to me then. His father had warned him to never promise me anything he didn’t know for sure he could deliver.

Austin reached up and swiped away the tears that started to fall as Clea made her way to his other side, where her father gave her away to Houston. Something red grazed mine and Austin’s arms just before another hit Clea in the butt. I turned to see Dallas standing there looking like a complete idiot in a diaper with a bow and arrow dangling from his hand.

“I think I got it right this time,” he shouted, winked at Clea, and then took off running. Austin tipped a finger under my chin to drag my attention back to him before I could see where Dallas ended up. His momma was probably going to tan his hide later, whether he was an adult or not.

Houston and Clea mumbled something to one another, but I didn’t hear what it was as I got lost in those deep, soulful eyes of my husband-to-be. I was trying to figure out how in the hell I managed to be a surprise guest at my own wedding?

I hate to say that I barely recall the actual ceremony. I was in a state of shock as I repeated vows when the minister asked me to. Austin tried to slip a ring on my finger, but my knuckles were too swollen, so he left it in his pocket and teased that he’d attach it to my necklace later. I didn’t have a ring for him, considering I didn’t even know I was getting married, so our vows took a little less time than Clea and Houston’s who shook as they each placed a ring on the other’s finger.

“Austin and Rebecca,” the minister addressed us before turning to the other couple. “Houston and Clea,” I now pronounce you all husband and wife, you may each kiss your own brides, but not each other’s,” he teased in the end much to everyone’s amusement.

I chuckled through the kiss Austin smooshed onto my open mouth. “I’ll do better later,” he promised.

“I’ll hold you to that.” It was the first coherent thing I think I said throughout the ceremony.

“Are you okay with this?” He asked worriedly.

“Yeah. Kinda wish I knew it was coming, but it was the best sort of surprise.”

“Good. Now, let’s go get the party started before you fall asleep on me.”

We turned and started down the aisle in the opposite direction, smiling at the well-wishers who stood on either side. We were about halfway down the aisle when I was tugged back a bit because Austin was stopped by someone holding him back. The first thing I noticed was the woman’s hand, then my eyes traveled up to find Jordan there pleading with her eyes and Austin smiling down at her.

You had to be kidding me.

On. My. Wedding. Day.

I glanced around, looking for Mr. Mercer, so he could fulfill his promise and bring his shovel, but I didn’t see him, so instead, I dislodged Austin’s arm from mine and took off at a fast-paced waddle. Luckily for me, the leach – I mean Jordan – didn’t seem inclined to let him go so he could follow me. That gave me a head start as he attempted to peel her hand off his arm without hurting her.

Someone had to invite the bitch to the wedding. If it had been Austin, I was going to file for an annulment immediately. Actually, I hadn’t signed any paperwork, so I didn’t think an annulment would even be necessary.

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