Page 101 of Through The Woods

Rooster groaned and put his head in his hands. “It’s bad enough you got Charm sayin’ that shit all the time now, Darlin’. Is it really necessary?”

I grinned. “My wedding—my rules. Don’t you guys know anything about being bridesmaids?”

Guardrail shook his head. “I didn’t sign up to be a goddamn bridesmaid.”

I sighed, “Fine—bride escort. Are we ready to go yet?”

Gunner whipped out his cell phone. “We’re just waiting on the coordinator and then our mission begins.”

I didn’t think it was possible, but someone was definitely taking this wedding business more seriously than I was. I checked my makeup again in the mirror—Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire was the perfect choice for today. Pearl’s friends at the beauty shop did my makeup in such a way that the red complimented the ivory in the dress, instead of taking away from it. And Amber had ensured that my hair looked elegant, but not overdone.

I caught Joker waving at me from the corner of my eye and he began signing frantically. PD gave us both a puzzled look. “What’s wrong with him?”

I replied, “Well, he’s worried that I don’t have something old, something new, something borrowed, or something blue. I’m wearing Pearl’s wedding gown, so that’s my something old—and I borrowed her earrings. My shoes are new, so really I’m only missing something blue.”

PD jumped up. “I got it—be right back.”

I fidgeted with the belt on my dress and traced circles in the carpet with my shoe while we waited. He burst back in and held up a baby blue handkerchief.

The guys chuckled when I wrinkled up my nose. “PD, no offense, but I am not carrying your used handkerchief even if it’s supposed to bring me fifty years of good luck.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s brand new. I bought it back before you helped me. It’s just been sitting in the saddle bag on my bike. Ask Ali, she’ll tell you.”

I nodded. “Okay, if you swear it’s never been used, then it looks like I’m set.” He took my bouquet, courtesy of Deb over at Main St. Flowers, and wrapped the handkerchief around the base.

A knock at the door from the church coordinator sent the men scattering to their prearranged positions. I took one last look in the mirror and a deep breath before following after them.

The music started, something acoustic, yet vaguely familiar to me. Twitch joined me in the small vestibule, nodding approvingly at the music selection. “Pearl Jam—good choice.”

I laughed when I realized that he was absolutely right—we were listening to an instrumental version of ‘Just Breathe.’ Pearl Jam had been playing in Clint’s truck the night I ran for my life. It had seemed like I’d reached my lowest point then, but the close of that chapter had led me straight to Charm. It was fitting that another one of their songs would play as I started a new one as his wife.

Twitch patted my arm. “You nervous, kid?”

I nodded. “A little, but he’s it for me. I’ve known it for a while now—it’s just time to make it official.”

The doors opened and there he was—in all his leather glory. Kane. I should’ve known he wouldn’t be in a tux since the other guys weren’t. He looked like an actor rehearsing his lines, the worry lines on his face a clear indicator that he was afraid of messing them up.

True to Gunner’s word, each man was positioned at a specific point leading down to where my groom stood nervously. The minute his eyes met mine though, a grin broke out on his face and he visibly relaxed. Everyone rose and turned toward me expectantly.

Twitch led me a few steps down the aisle before turning me over to Guardrail. He then slipped into position behind us. Guardrail squeezed my arm before handing me off to Joker. Each biker brought me closer to Charm like a proud father, before slipping back into their more familiar role as bodyguard.

By the time I reached the front of the church, I had a line of men trailing behind me. Gunner took my hand last and we walked the remaining steps before he placed it in Charm’s. I found that his palm was sweaty, much like mine had been when he held my hand for the first time out on the ledge.

The officiant began, but I was only halfheartedly listening. My entire focus was on the man in front of me. My voice cracked several times as I recited my vows, but his firm grip on my hands helped me get through it.

He never once broke eye contact as he recited his. My biker, who had killed men with his bare hands, looked about as ferocious as a bunny rabbit standing in front of me.

We exchanged rings—Pearl had known someone who forged metal, so I was able to find a ring for him that was similar to mine, yet still completely unique. We stood, smiling at each other like a couple of fools as the officiant concluded, “By the power vested in me by the state of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

He dipped me backward before pressing his mouth to mine. The church erupted in cheers and raucous catcalls from the bikers, along with a discreet throat clearing from the officiant before the music kicked on.

I swayed slightly as he brought me back to my feet, but he kept me in his arms, ensuring that I remained upright. We began walking toward the back of the church, with people stepping out into the aisle to offer their congratulations and words of wisdom. About halfway down, Charm groaned in frustration and swung me up and over his shoulder.

I giggled as he began moving faster toward the exit, even as throngs of people kept approaching us. He took a couple of steps forward before roaring, “Fuck off—she’s mine now!”

And that was how I knew that, while I may not have lived a fairy tale life, I had most certainly found my Prince Charming in the foul-mouthed biker carrying me out of the church.

---