Page 100 of Through The Woods

I did a slow twirl in the mirror. The dress fit me like a glove. She’d even sewn a small patch onto the back of the dress to match Charm’s.

“I love it.” I twirled again.

She gave me a wide smile. “Well, in that case, we’d better get over to Sandra’s for hair and makeup. Can’t have you running late for your big day.”

“Damn, Darlin’. You look absolutely perfect.” Rooster rested his arm against the door frame.

I self-consciously tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before remembering that Amber said it was meant to ‘fall in loose waves’ around my face, so I quickly untucked it.

“Thanks, Rooster. Are there a lot of people out there?”

He must’ve heard the slight panic in my voice because he replied lazily, “Only one who matters is waiting down by the alter. He sent me to make sure you didn’t try and make a run for it.”

Joker stepped around from behind him and stopped short once he saw me. He ran a hand over his face in awe.

Beautiful.

I blinked away the tears that formed and smiled softly. “I’m a little nervous, guys.”

Guardrail and Twitch shoved their way through the crowd. “That’s why we’re here,” they exclaimed simultaneously.

Twitch cocked his brow and continued. “I know you don’t have family, kid. That’s why I’m here—gonna walk you down the aisle.

Doc’s laugh came from somewhere near the back. “Fat chance of that, Twitch. That’s why I’m here—I found her in the forest that day; it should be me.”

The men began bickering amongst themselves and I took a moment to finish fastening the opal earrings that Pearl had lent me. They were the same ones she’d worn when she married Jerry— “Something borrowed,” she’d said as she dropped them into my hand before she and Amber slipped out to join the others in the church sanctuary.

Yeah, I was getting married in a church. The Lutheran church downtown was by far the largest building that Kasselhessen had to offer. I’d been shocked when Charm suggested it. I’d expected a small ceremony at the clubhouse, but from the sounds of it, the entire town had turned out to watch him take his vows.

Vows.

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

I was really doing it—I was marrying the leader of a biker gang. In a million years, I never would’ve imagined this. Surprisingly, it was better than anything I could’ve planned for myself.

I had the love of a great man and it came with seven built-in brothers to boot. Seven brothers who were still arguing over who was going to walk me down the aisle.

“I was the biggest asshole to her. It should be me that walks her,” Gunner deadpanned before everyone cracked up.

I was laughing so hard that I had to fan my eyes to keep my makeup from running. “Okay, here’s how this is gonna go—you’re all going to walk me down the aisle. I don’t even know how to make this work—”

Gunner clapped his hands together. “I got it. PD, Twitch— hallway now. Let’s make this happen.”

I stared after them in puzzlement until Doc spoke. “He thinks that because they’re former Marines they’re the only ones qualified to organize this.” He raised his voice. “Never mind that I was a fucking field medic in the Army!”

Laughter sounded from out in the hall and PD responded with, “Army? Never heard of her.”

Doc spoke through a clenched jaw. “Fucking Marines, thinking they’re the only branch of the military.”

The other guys found the whole thing hilarious, but I cleared my throat uncomfortably. “Um, I don’t think you’re supposed to curse inside a church—you’ll go straight to Hell.”

Joker’s eyes widened and I amended, “Not you, J. You’re perfect.” He relaxed again on the small settee in the corner.

Within a few minutes, the men came back into the room and Gunner spoke. “Okay, Neve, we’ve got it all worked out—we’re gonna line up. I’ll act as Convoy Commander, obviously, and PD will be Assistant Convoy Commander. I’ll lead and then the rest will either flank you or bring up the rear. Sound good?”

I tried to push my lips together, but it was no use. Once I started laughing, it was almost impossible to stop. “That’s what she said,” I managed to wheeze out.

Gunner sighed, “Goddammit, Neve,” before fighting a smile himself.

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