Page 69 of Tucker
Wewent back and forth for a while until I suggested she leave the whole thing tome. Her eyebrows climbed her forehead and she snorted out a laugh. “You’re goingto plan our wedding?”
“Downto the smallest detail.”
“Okay,then. The only thing I want is for Derek to give me away.”
Thenshe kissed me and the subject was dropped.
Shetrusts me with a wedding. There’s that naïve innocence I love so much.
AfterDare, Landon, and Justus got married the way they did, she should know I’mgoing to have to top them. She was the one that mentioned that in the firstplace right after I proposed, but then it was like she just wanted to get thewedding over with so we can settle down together.
Iwant that too, but from the moment I asked her, I had something in mind. Iplanned the whole thing in secret, and she’s happy to let me surprise her. Theonly thing she had to do was get her dress.
Ican’t wait to see her in it.
Ican’t wait to see her face when she realizes what we’re going to do. Ayda hasbeen a life saver, and Dare has pulled some strings as well. So when I show upat the airplane hangar, everything is ready.
Shewanted small, and she’s getting it. The only guests are our close friends andeveryone is in the wedding as a bridesmaid or groomsman. Since neither of uswanted to choose between our friends, we didn’t choose a best man or maid ofhonor.
AsI stand in the hangar, surrounded by white and gold decorations and waiting forLeah to arrive in her dress, an unexpected guest shows up.
Isent the invitation, but I never dreamed she’d come.
Herhair is a darker color. She must’ve started dying it since I last saw her, overfive years ago, but she smells the same when she pulls me into her arms.“Tucker,” she sobs.
“Mom,I didn’t think you’d come.” When she releases me, I look behind her, and sheshakes her head.
“Yourfather didn’t come with me. I-I probably shouldn’t be telling you this on yourwedding day, but I’ve left him.”
It’sthe best news I’ve heard in a long time. My father never treated her right. Shewas always just another trophy, another achievement under his belt. “Are youkidding? You always deserved better than him.” We walk over and sit in thefolding chairs. “Are you doing okay? Do you need anything?”
Smiling,she shakes her head. “I’m doing just fine. I took the house and car in thedivorce, plus half his pension. With my own retirement fund, I’m verycomfortable.”
Hereyes fill with tears as she looks at me. “I’m so sorry, Tuck. I should neverhave let him keep me from seeing you. I thought about you every day.”
Itake her hand. “I understand. He controlled everything. You weren’t in aposition to argue. I’m just glad you’re here now. I can’t wait for you to meetLeah. You’re going to love her.”
Atthat moment, Leah walks in, along with Ayda, Sadie, and Zoe.
Fuck.Me.
Thatdress.
It’swhite, but that’s the only thing traditional about it. Tiny spaghetti strapshold it up and her cleavage is on view. The form fitting skirt stops at the topof her thighs, turning into some sheer material that makes her legs lookamazing. It’s risqué, but not slutty, beautiful, but not girly.
It’sLeah.
Witha chuckle, Mom reaches over and pushes my jaw shut. “She’s gorgeous, Tucker,”she whispers.
Gettingto my feet, I rush over to her and grab her lips with mine. She grins againstmy mouth, and Sadie pulls me back, exclaiming, “Hey! You’ll get to that part!Do you have any idea how long it took to find the perfect lipstick?”
Istep back, and she smiles up at me. “You clean up real well.”
“Youlook beautiful.”
Sheglances around. “Not the first place I would’ve thought of for a wedding. Ididn’t know you were into planes.”
Swallowingmy smile, I shrug. “There’s someone I want you to meet.” I take her hand and wewalk over to my mother. “Mom, this is Leah, Leah, this is my mom, Terry.”
