Page 191 of Bodyguard By Night

“Hmm.”

“Excuse me, everyone!” Rachel stood up on the small dais that held the head table. “Can we go over to the chapel? We’ll do a quick run through and then dinner. Sounds good?”

Saved by the bride.

I followed everyone out, clutching Ransom’s hand. “See, that wasn’t so bad.”

“Oh, yeah. That was a dream.”

“We’ll figure stuff out. We have a lot to figure out.” I bumped him with my arm. “By the way, we’re going to make the attic my space, right?”

“Dear God, yes. I already started measuring.”

“We’re already in sync. Look at that.”

He rolled his eyes and ushered me forward. “I just want my living room back.”

“You’re the one who asked me to marry you, pal. And you nicknamed me Chaos.”

“Oh, I remember.” He kissed my shoulder. “It’s worth it.”

And cue the melting. I was going to be a puddle of goo by the end of this wedding.

The actual rehearsal didn’t take long. Rachel and Clay were keeping things simple. The chapel was non-denominational and had a whole different feel at night.

The stained glass glowed, and the pews gleamed. Walking up the aisle made my heart race and trip in ways I hadn’t dreamed. Every girl usually role-played being a bride when they were younger. I’d been playing reporter or stealing my dad’s old camera to take pictures.

But this was something else.

I looked over at Ransom as he walked with me down the aisle. I could see that it affected him just as much.

I’d be doing this withhim.

Three weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed it was possible to be this happy.

As we turned to look out at the pews, I noticed Clay’s parents were quiet and fit in with mine. His were studious academics and matched my stuffy accountants. Somehow it all worked out.

Clay gave Rachel a dramatic dip after he kissed her. They looked deliriously happy.

The actual wedding was going to be one for the books.

I pulled out my phone to take a quick video of the altar with the pink poinsettias and mini Christmas trees that Rachel had incorporated into the peonies and Sterling roses. Christmas was how they’d fallen in love, after all.

It really was all so beautiful.

I double-checked that I’d actually taken video in between all my personal swooning, then I ran after my family as they all filed out. Ransom was waiting for me at the door to go back over to the lodge. We were having dinner in the bed and breakfast portion of the building.

A few people were setting up tables. I waved at the ones I remembered. Most people stayed working at the orchard for years after they found Happy Acres. Laughter rang out from every direction.

Though I wasn’t normally a fanciful sort, I could feel the love and the sense of family and community between each and every person in the room. Even my stuffy parents lit up when they spent time with my aunts and uncles.

I lifted a glass of something pink and bubbly from a tray, murmuring my thanks as I gratefully took a seat.

“Is it all right if I sit with you?”

I looked up at a gorgeous woman with dark blond hair standing alone. “Helena.” I kicked out a chair. “Absolutely.”

“Thanks.” She sank into the seat. “I just feel weird here. People are probably staring at me. I don’t know what I was thinking when I said yes to Rachel.”

---