Page 34 of A Small Town Risk

Another knock on the door and it opens. Ryan sticks his head in with his eyes closed.

“Are you decent?”

I look over at the girls, and we laugh. “Yeah. You can open your eyes.”

“Are you sure? Do you have your dress on yet?”

“Just come in.”

I slide off the chair.

He opens his eyes, and a big smile spreads across his face when he sees me. He comes into the room.

“We’ll be out here,” Elle points to the hallway as she and Catherine leave us alone.

He sits on the couch and pulls me onto his lap.

“I know it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, but I wanted to check on you.”

I play with the belt of my robe. I don’t want to worry him, but all these little things are getting to me.

“Parker?”

I can’t lie to him.

“I wish we had gone to the courthouse like we talked about.” I lean into him, letting his body calm me.

He kisses the top of my head.

“It’ll all work out. I don’t care about the flowers, the food, or anything else.”

He pauses, causing me to tense up. “Now what?”

“Nothing, everything is fine.”

Another knock on the door.

“Come in,” Ryan calls.

It’s Carson this time. He looks dapper in his suit.

“Just want to let you know he’s here now. We’re ready to go.”

That sounds awfully cryptic. I get off Ryan’s lap, and he stands next to me.

“Who is here now? What’s going on?”

I’ve reached my limit with surprises.

Carson gazes over at Ryan, and they silently exchange something between them. Carson backs up. “I’ll see you up front,” he says, leaving us alone.

I spin around, looking at Ryan, wanting answers.

He rests his hands on my shoulders.

“It’s nothing. Axel was running late. But it sounds like he’s here now. So everything is fine.”

I want to say more, but Elle and Catherine walk in with big smiles.

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