Page 116 of Love Overboard
“Deal.” Lacey took a shuddery breath.
“Scared?”
“A little.” She studied the tips of her open-toed shoes peeking out from the hem of her gown. “Am I not supposed to admit that on our wedding day? I should be confident and free from doubt.”
Jon placed his hands on her lace-covered arms. “It’s okay. I promise you’ll be fully confident by our golden anniversary.”
“Fifty years with you?” Lacey reached up and tugged on his tuxedo lapels. “That sounds pretty great to me.”
“Hey.” He batted at her fingers. “Watch the suit.”
Lacey grabbed the silky material and pulled him level to her height. “Don’t worry. I’ll make it worth the wrinkles.”
Jon made one last check to ensure the musicians were ready. The scent of flowers floated on the breeze as he met Lacey in the entryway to the forward deck. The buzz of family and friends drifted through the open double doors. Once the string quartet started, Jon and Lacey would walk out together. He settled his hands on her waist and bent to look into her downturned face.
“Nervous?” he asked.
She shook her head even as she said, “Yes. Is everything going smoothly with the guests?”
“Not exactly.” One side of Jon’s mouth tilted. “My three nieces are fighting over whose basket has the most petals. I told you we should have chosen one flower girl.”
“But it would’ve hurt the other two’s feelings.” Lacey grasped her orchid bouquet. “I couldn’t start out my job as their aunt that way.”
“This is why my sister adores you already.” He tweaked her earlobe. “She even said she was sitting on the bride’s side of the aisle today.” His smile faded. “Are you sure you’re okay getting married here? Since your family didn’t come.”
Her gaze dipped. “I won’t pretend it didn’t hurt. But Dad was being Dad. When his so-called chronic fatigue flares, Mom has to be there to wait on him hand and foot.” She lifted her chin. “This is par for the course with my family. Your mother and father are in the front row, gloriously normal, ready to treat me like their real daughter. They’re my bonus gift for marrying you. But you get a burden from my side.”
Jon held a finger to her mouth, not quite touching her lips. “Nothing about you is a burden.” His smile appeared. “Except your overly fussy attitude about litter.”
Lacey swatted his finger away. He cradled the sides of her head.
“The best day of my life was when you told me to pick up that piece of trash. You captivated me from that first moment with your passion, your beauty, and your wholehearted commitment.”
Her cheeks flushed as moisture gathered in her eyes. “And you ensnared me with your humor and kindness and your inability to take no for an answer.”
“Ensnared?” Jon’s lips twisted. “Makes me sound like a guy wearing head-to-toe camo, setting rabbit traps in the woods.”
“I tried to run like a rabbit.” Lacey laughed. “More than once.”
“Thank you for stopping.” He went to wrap his arms around her, but she blocked him with her bouquet.
“The dress,” Lacey reminded him.
He groaned, then bent his arm at the elbow and held it out. “Let’s get the ‘I dos’ over with so I can kiss the bride.”
Lacey curled her hand around his forearm. “Thank you for escorting me down the aisle. There’s no one else I’d rather walk with.”
Jon leaned forward and lightly bonked his forehead against hers. “Right back at you.”
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The guests laughed as Jon pumped a fist in the air. He gathered Lacey in his arms and gave all the leading men in Hollywood a run for their money for best kiss scene.
Emily exhaled. “Case closed.” She offered a thumbs-up to the other Shippers. “Nice work, girls.”
Abby sniffled on the chair at the end.
Daisy opened her clutch purse, located an embroidered handkerchief, and passed it to her.
