Page 87 of Hat Trick Holidate

"You're really going to pick up a stranded woman on my wedding day? This could go terribly wrong, she could be a serial killer," I tease, thankful for Corbin's big heart and bold attitude.

"Trust me, serial killers look like you and me," Corbin replies with a heavy sigh.

"Great, so she might spray you with mace and steal your truck," I joke, grateful for my compassionate friend, but sometimes his good deeds lead to crazy situations. I have a feeling we’ll be laughing about this escapade for years to come. "Just be safe, and I'll see you when you get here."

He chuckles, “Trust me. I’ll be fine and who knows maybe I’ll catch the garter tonight and have a wedding of my own.

I end the call, shaking my head. Shearer is one of the good ones. He babysits for Lettie and Dane, takes in stray animals, volunteers at the homeless shelter every month, not just on holidays. So it doesn’t surprise me that he’s bringing a stranded woman and her dog to my wedding.

“Wynward, are you ready?” Reed asks. “Emmaline wants to know if you really want to marry her today.”

Cannon, Colby and Jolie run in the room and Jolie pulls on my suit jacket. “Daddy, Mommy’s crying.”

I can’t believe how far we’ve come. It’s like Jolie and I have been together our whole lives. She’s taught me so much about unconditional love. I lean down and pick her up so we can be eye to eye. “Everything is okay. When people get married they get emotional. It’s one of the most important days in a person’s life, so sometimes we cry. I’ll go to talk to her. You kids need to fill the flower baskets and practice walking up the aisle.”

We’re getting married on the patio of the Skyloft hotel and using the top floor for the dressing rooms. I knock on the door that says, “Bride.”

Brooke opens the door and gives me a shrug.

“Can I have a moment alone with my bride?”

“She’s a little emotional.” Brooke says, “But it’s bad luck to see the bride. She’s scared.”

I knew we should have just gone to the courthouse so she wouldn’t be nervous. I would never leave her at the altar. But she insisted she wanted to have a big wedding and Jolie as the flower girl.

Reed comes up behind me and says, “Cookie, Carly is asking for you to fix her hair. Colby yanked it and her flowers came out.”

“Okay. I’ll fix it. But Wynward, I think you owe me BIG TIME. My dating app made all of this possible.” Brooke gives me a proud, coy glance as I hold the door open and we change places.

She’s right, the Real Life Dating app made us confront what we already knew under the surface. We were meant to be.

As I enter the bridal dressing room, the sight of my beautiful has my heart knocking against my chest. She’smore stunning than I could have ever imagined. The way the fabric hugs your curves, and the delicate lace accentuates her features. I’m completely mesmerized and in this moment, I can barely force words from my throat.

Her reflection shows tears in her eyes and when she looks at me, I see tears welling in my own eyes. I never thought I would be one of those guys that cries at my wedding, but Emmaline Rustavelli is my everything. Placing my palms on her waist, I sweep her hair to one side and kiss along her neck and jawline.

She expels a purr of a breath. “The last time I was…”

“Shh… this is our day. A new day. One that will begin and end with me kissing you.” I kiss the corner of her mouth, then spin her to face me and slide my hands over her baby bump. “This is what you deserve. This is what I deserve—a family.”

Emmaline cups my jaw and looks into my eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“It’s just all happening so quick,” she says as she searches my eyes for any trace of hesitation.

“Rusti.” When I use her nickname her eyes darken with need. “Does my Rusti need me to show her how much I am in love with her?” I use the words in love because Grant had told her he wasn’t in love with her.

Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she nods her head. How can one movement provoke so many emotions? She has both a seductive a sweet innocence. I know she’s consumed with doubts and fears because of her past, but without hesitation, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close, as I whisper commands in her ear.

“Pull your dress up to your waist.”

Her breath skips a beat and when it does, so does my heart.

“Better yet, let’s take it off.”

“But…”

“It’s our wedding, we can be late. It won’t start until I’m out there.”

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