Page 51 of The Fence Between Us

Rabble caught her eye, putting every ounce of love and devotion into his words. “I know.”

He stood and turned away from her, and Skye fought the urge to reach out and grab him, to keep his warmth nearby. His large hand touched the delicate fabric of the dress and pulled it out. Wincing, she closed her eyes, shrinking back from it as if the garment might bite her.

“You got this, Skye. I’ll be right there with you.” His hands moved tenderly over the fabric. The same way he touched her. “This doesn’t define you. You’re strong and capable, and you can do this. If you want to.”

Skye locked eyes with Rabble, and what she saw there made her blood heat in the best way. Those storm-cloud eyes simmered with every desire he didn’t say aloud, with every need that fired his blood; his devotion to her reflected there.

From her chest, a warmth spread outward, up into her arms and down her legs, unlocking her muscles and settling her a little further into her body.

Setting her jaw, Skye moved to her knees and Rabble helped her to her feet. And when she hesitantly took the dress from him, he shot her one more challenging glance before stepping out of the tent.

Skye ran her fingers lovingly along the lace applique and followed the skirt downward. It had a long train, one that would drag the ground majestically. She took a lengthy breath and let it out slowly before counting to ten and starting over. Then, before she could lose her nerve, she stripped out of her clothes and slipped into the wedding dress of her dreams.

At the first feel of the material against her skin, she slammed back into her body. This dress didn’t feel like the other with its stiff, scratchy material, and the skirt didn’t puff out around her,threatening to suffocate her beneath too many uncomfortable layers.

No, this dress was wholly, wonderfully different.

The crystal pins in her hair perfectly complemented the dress, as did her make-up. While nothing fancy, it got the job done, and she felt beautiful. Better yet, she even almost felt confident—an odd feeling considering touching the dress also made her want to withdraw and run away.

Skye smoothed her hands down the sides and took another steadying breath before pushing aside the tent flap and stepping into the sunlight.

I can do this. I will do this. I am strong.

While she’d been hiding, the warehouse grounds had become a hotbed of activity. People she’d known her whole life milled about, calling to each other, cracking jokes, and enjoying their lives—as if her entire world hadn’t been flipped on its axis. She felt disconnected from them, further from them than she’d ever been. As they’d prepared for their town’s prized Independence Day parade, she had been through hell at the hands of their town leadership. Something like envy welled inside her; it was an ugly feeling. She hated it, certain she wouldn’t have experienced it just a few days ago.

Her eyes sought out Elyza, Kellyn, and Bekah, who all stood next to the float. Elyza posed everyone exactly where she wanted them, including Dash and Declan standing in for the two grooms. Declan grinned, the picture of ease and charisma in a sharp black tuxedo. Dash, on the other hand, seemed decidedly resigned to his fate, despite looking dangerously good in a slick black three-piece suit.

With the flower girls and ring-bearer in place, Elyza was ready for the brides. Dash helped Kellyn onto the trailer, his hands maintaining a respectful grasp on her waist as he lifted her gently. Dash followed her up and allowed Elyza to position themlike mannequins. When she finished, Elyza handed Kellyn her bouquet with a smile. Next, Declan helped Bekah find her place, his hands decidedly lower on her hips when he gave her a boost onto the float. He grinned and winked when she gave him a playful whack with her bouquet, and he hopped up on the trailer after her. Elyza rolled her eyes but refused to let them distract her from moving them into position.

Knowing it was her turn, Skye took a fortifying breath and stepped toward her friends. Elyza saw her and rushed to gather the long train of her gown to keep it from dragged along the grass and over the gravel behind Skye.

“Oh, Skye!” Elyza put a hand to her chest and practically squealed with delight. “You are an absolute vision.”

“I’ll have you stand in the center, between Bekah and Kellyn since you don’t have a groo—” Elyza’s jaw dropped as Rabble stepped up to stand beside Skye.

“I’ve got her,” he rumbled. And he did.

The man was gorgeous in those faded blue jeans and a white button-down shirt, his tanned forearms exposed to the summer sun, and he wore the fine heather-gray vest from his truck, dressing up the otherwise relaxed outfit. It worked for him. Better yet, it worked for Skye. And it seemed to work for Elyza too because she beckoned Rabble onto the float. After he took Skye’s hand and pulled her onto the trailer beside him, he led her to stand between their friends, and Elyza handed her the final bouquet, the navy blues and ruby reds standing out brilliantly against her cream dress.

Skye could feel the heat of his palms through her delicately crafted layers, and she fidgeted, trying to get closer to him.

After checking over the wedding party one more time, Elyza climbed into the bed of the truck and tapped on the roof twice, letting Olivia know they were ready.

“Hold tight,” Rabble whispered in Skye’s ear, her skin pebbling as she shivered.

Skye closed her eyes and held on to him and his words for everything they were worth.

Chapter 31

Rabble

Rabble could feel Skye’s coiled nervous energy pulsing around them. Maybe their proximity affected her. The warmth of her body seeped through her incredible dress, into his own clothing, and onto his skin. And he did meanincredible. The cream color brought out the golden tones of her skin, and those sparkling crystals on her dress and in her hair made him want to find each one and kiss them all.

Yes, it was a wedding dress, and at one point that might have bothered him, especially considering how he’d found her just days before. But now, seeing Skye choose to stand up here, facing the entire town and standing beside him, well, that alone was just about heaven.

The truck began to move, getting into position for the start of the parade and Skye jolted against him.

“Steady,” he breathed against her ear, her scent intoxicating.

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