Page 30 of Enduring Magic

Other than to lift a brow and shoot Summer an amused glance, Alastair said nothing about their bizarre color palette. One by one, her sisters lined up from youngest to oldest, each with a new deep-purple dress and bright green shoes.

“Wasn’t Autumn wearing a tangerine-colored gown earlier?” Alastair asked as he held out an arm for Summer to take.

“She was. Sabrina and Chloe decided purple was a far better color for my wedding.”

Preston laughed. “Will it match what the men are wearing?”

Summer shrugged. “I’m not all that worried about clashing with the guys. But those chartreuse shoes are an eyesore,” she said dryly.

Both men laughed heartily, causing her to giggle. No longer at odds over the events of the past, the brothers shared a smile.

“Are you ready to give our daughter away, brother?” Preston asked Alastair.

“If you are.”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.” Voice choked with emotion, Preston gazed down at her, his honey-amber eyes shining with love. “You’re beautiful, my sunshine. I don’t know if a lovelier bride ever existed.”

Summer flung herself into his strong arms and closed her eyes as he embraced her. All the times she’d run to him as a little girl, expecting and receiving his help to heal a hurt, came flooding back. “Thank you, Daddy. And thank you for always being there for me.”

“You may not be mine by blood, but you’ll always be my beloved daughter.” He cleared his throat and gave her a soft smile. “I’m just glad I could be here for your big day.”

“Me, too.”

Alastair held out a handkerchief to her, and Summer accepted it with a grateful look. She hadn’t realized she was crying until that moment.

“Thanks, Dad,” she managed to say past a thick throat packed with emotion.

“You’re welcome, child.” He glanced between Preston and her. “Should I step back and allow Preston today’s honor?”

“No.” Preston gripped Alastair’s shoulder and squeezed. “We’ll do this together. You’ve earned your place in her life.”

“I love you both so much,” she cried.

Her father kissed her forehead, then stepped back and tugged on his cuffs. “Dry your tears, my dear. This is supposed to be a happy day. Although, I can see where it might be a little overwhelming. After all, you’re marrying that thick-headed Carlyle boy.”

Thatmade her laugh, as she realized it was supposed to. “Are you ever going to cut him a break?”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

* * *

Summer stepped around the corner,and Coop exhaled his relief the moment he saw her. She was breathtaking in a flowing white confection, hair mostly pinned up, with the rest spilling over one breast. Feet bare and one hand on the arm of each of the Thorne brothers, she looked like a goddess being escorted by her consorts, and Coop was never more awestruck.

Alastair and Preston wore matching tuxedoes, and they looked like movie stars from a bygone era. But they were a formidable duo, those men. Not for the first time, Coop felt intimidated and unworthy of joining their family.

As if sensing his troubled thoughts, Alastair caught and held his gaze. There was a slight inclination of his head and a wink, and oddly, the gesture took away any remaining anxiety Coop felt about marrying Summer.Shehad never been the issue. Her drama-packed life was another matter. But today, no enemies were coming out of the woodwork, and other than the ring fiasco, there were no problems lingering in the background, ready to destroy a life.

When Summer’s luminescent blue eyes met his across the distance, Coop silently thanked his lucky stars that she’d fallen in love with him all those years before and that she was tenacious. If not, he’d have screwed up beyond repair and he’d never know the healing power of true love or the joys it could bring.

Beside him, Keaton stood tall and silent. As Summer and her fathers approached, Coop’s brother bumped him and leaned in to say, “Don’t fuck this up.”

It was enough to relieve the tension building in Coop’s chest, and he laughed. “I don’t intend to.”

“Good. She and Olivia are the best things to ever happen to you.”

“I know.” Stepping forward, Coop met the trio, and once Summer tucked her arm through his, he first shook Preston’s hand, then Alastair’s. “Thank you for the precious gift you are entrusting to me, gentlemen. I’ve never been more honored.”

Preston gave him an approving nod, and Alastair grinned. “Nicely said, son.”

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