Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“Okay,” she said, kissing my cheek. “I’ll go sit down.”
I turned toward Mr. Weaver. “I think I’m ready.”
He offered me his arm. “I know you are.”
We followed Elliott and Daisy out onto the patio, staying close to the house. Smiling, I looked over the scene with love and pride. It was all so familiar to me now—the faded red barn, the paddock, the goat pen, the chicken coop, the garden, the big old maple tree, the fields beyond. The late summer afternoon sun shone down, bathing everything in glittering, resplendent light.
It was home, and I couldn’t have loved it more.
Over to the west side of the house, a tent was set up, and caterers were preparing and setting a casual buffet—pulled pork, maple bourbon chicken, mixed greens with Michigan strawberries and Champagne vinaigrette, gourmet mac and cheese. Blair had insisted on baking our wedding cake, a gorgeous three-tiered confection that looked too good to eat.
About two dozen guests sat in chairs set up in rows facing the tree, under which an officiant stood waiting. Although I could only see them from the back, I knew everyone who mattered to us was here: all of Beckett’s family, the parents of his three best friends, and several members of the Bellamy Creek Bulldogs.
The guitarist started playing the song Beckett and I had chosen: “Blackbird” by The Beatles, and a warm breeze caressed my skin. A moment later, Beckett, Enzo, Cole, and Griffin came around from the side of the house and took their places in the shade beneath the maple tree.
My breath caught when I saw him, tall and broad and gorgeous in his blue suit. After all this time, I could hardly believe he was mine. Again I thought of the secret I had, and what his reaction might be when I shared it.
“Okay,” I whispered to Daisy and Elliott. “You can go.”
Together—just as they’d insisted—they walked side by side down the steps of the patio, across the yard, and down the short aisle between the rows. Each of them scattered flower petals from baskets they clutched in their hands. Guests smiled at them as they made their way to the front.
“Maddie,” said Mr. Weaver.
“Yes?”
“I’m proud of you.”
Touched, I looked at him in surprise. I wasn’t sure anyone had ever said those words to me before. My throat grew tight, and I swallowed hard. “Thank you.”
His faded blue eyes regarded me thoughtfully. “You never had a father.”
I shook my head. “I never did.”
“You do now.” He patted my hand.
My heart was too full to answer, but I smiled.
All eyes were on me as I walked toward Beckett, but he was all I could see. Behind him, all three of his buddies were smiling, but his expression was endearingly serious as I approached. He almost looked eighteen again, like he desperately wanted to kiss me but was nervous about what would happen if he did. His blue eyes were bright and full of love.
When we reached him, his father shook his hand and clapped him on the back. “I told you you’d marry that girl across the street,” he said loudly.
Everyone laughed, including Beckett. “You were right, Dad.”
Mr. Weaver hugged me and kissed my cheek before taking his seat next to Amy in the front row.
I turned to face Beckett just as another breeze rustled the leaves above us and blew my hair a little out of place. He reached out and sweetly brushed it behind my shoulder again. His eyes were shining. Looking up at him, I thought my heart might burst right out of my chest.
“I love you so much,” I whispered. “Sorry, I know it’s not the time where we say that yet.”
He shook his head. “You never have to worry about that. I will always want to hear those words. And I love you too.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great privilege to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Beckett Weaver.”
The crowd cheered as Beckett wrapped his arms around me and kissed me so hard, my back bowed dramatically and I thought he might tip us both right over. But his embrace was strong and solid, and he straightened us up again a moment later.
We headed back down the aisle as our friends and family clapped and whistled, Elliott and Daisy following behind. We made our way toward the house for a moment alone, safe in the knowledge that Amy was shepherding everyone toward the tent.
Once we made it inside the house and out of sight, Beckett wrapped me in his arms again, pressing his lips to mine in a much longer, deeper, and more intense kiss than he’d given me outside. When he finally lifted his head, I was panting.
“Mr. Weaver, you’ve knocked the breath right out of your wife,” I told him.
“Good.” He grinned lazily.