Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks. I know tomorrow will be crazy and none of it is what you probably planned for me, but I’m deliriously happy.”
I leaned forward, grasping her hand. “That’s all that matters to us, my girl. It’s all I want for all my children. I want love to surround you.”
“Because you didn’t have it growing up,” she whispered.
My kids knew my story. They knew what a reformed man I became after I fell in love with Katy. How much each of them meant to me.
“I got more than my fair share later in life,” I said simply. “I am very blessed.”
She flung herself into my arms, and I took full advantage and held her tight. Heather wasn’t as demonstrative as Gracie, Penny, or Katy. She took after me in that fashion, so when she was affectionate, I soaked it up. She pressed a kiss to my cheek, then sat beside her mother, laying her head on Katy’s shoulder. Katy kissed her, and I smiled, watching them. I left the room, returning a few moments later. I slid the small box toward Heather.
“For you tomorrow.”
She smiled, knowing what the box would contain. She gasped as she lifted the beautiful dark aquamarine and diamond earrings from the box, the blue-green of the stones glittering brightly in the light, the clarity of the diamonds adding to the brilliance. Untreated aquamarines had always been her favorite stone, because they reminded her of her eyes, the unique color she had inherited from me. She loved the play of blue and green swirling together. The style was long and playful, suiting her personality.
“I love them!” she said, pleased when she saw the matching necklace. Gracie disliked necklaces, but Heather liked matching sets, so we went with that for her.
“Cami told me your dress would suit the drop shape,” Katy explained.
“Do Reed’s cuff links match?” Heather asked.
“Yes,” I assured her, slipping the box out and showing her the simple squared cut of his cuff links.
“He’ll love them.”
“Good.”
She flung her arms around my neck. “Thank you, Daddy.”
I held her close. “You’re welcome, my girl.”
She kissed Katy, then sat back down. “You’ll be over around ten, Mom?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll head to the winery and get ready there.” She looked at me. “Make sure Reed is there on time.”
“I doubt he’ll be late.”
“Don’t wear him out on the basketball court.”
“Ha.” I shook my head as I laughed. “More like the other way around.”
She stood to go, smiling. “I doubt it, Dad. You and my uncles all run circles around the boys.”
“At least the only ball I’ll be seeing will be the one we’re dribbling on the court,” I sighed.
She laughed. “Reed says he will never forget today. He thought it was epic.”
“Are you sure you won’t stay here with us tonight?” Katy asked.
Heather smiled. “No. I like being beside Reed. We’re not doing anything traditional, so why start with that?” She bent and kissed Katy again, then pressed her lips to my cheek. “I wanted a few moments with you tonight. In case I forget to say it tomorrow—I love you and you’re the best. Thank you for being my parents.”
Then she was gone.
I glanced at Katy. “We did good with our kids.”
She smiled. “Yes, we did.”
8
RICHARD
The next day dawned bright and beautiful. I was up early and went for a jog on the beach, breathing in the cool morning air. Maddox joined me, and we ran the length of the beach several times, finally stopping and sitting on the rocks, watching the slow, lazy waves.
“Great day,” I uttered, taking a long drink of my water.
“Stellar,” Maddox replied. “You doing okay?”
I laughed dryly, turning my head and meeting my best friend’s gaze. We’d weathered a lot of storms together over the years. Watched our kids grow, lamenting on time going too quickly. Helped each other through tough times. I doubted I would be where I was today if it weren’t for Maddox Riley.
“I’m fine, Mad Dog. I slept like a baby last night. No walking the floors, worrying over my daughter getting married. It’s different with Heather than it was for Gracie.”
“Why do you think that is?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Maybe because they’ve lived together for so long. Maybe because I’ve known Reed most of his life, and I know what sort of husband he’ll make. Jaxson was a wild card for me.”
Maddox chuckled. “Jaxson was—is—a younger version of you.”
“Then you know why I was so nervous,” I said dryly.
We chuckled and I sighed. “Gracie and I have always been so close. The firstborn thing. The one thing in my life I loved instantly and without reservation. I suppose I learned with her, marriage wouldn’t change things between us. She’ll always be my little girl. It taught me I wasn’t losing her but letting her live her life. It was easier with Penny, although the distance bothered me. Still does. Gavin was a walk in the park. Heather isn’t as easy, but I’m good with it.” I flashed a grin. “Maybe as Katy said, their marriage was important to me, so my nerves are minimal.”