My father’s parents had been divorced for many years. Philip was my father’s step dad. His real dad, Brian, had fought a long and hard battle with lung cancer and won. He now lived in Alaska running a hunting tour guide company with his wife of ten years, Jessica. They flew in three days ago to spend some time with everyone. It had been wonderful having everyone there.
“And waiting!” Daddy said with a chortle.
Picking up my dress, I showed my father my one foot that had my expensive ass shoe on it. Laughing, he shook his head. “I get to do one thing I haven’t done in a very long time, sweetheart. Let’s just get you downstairs; everyone is waiting on us.”
Letting out a halfhearted laugh, I said, “What are you going to do, Daddy. Carry me down the aisle.”
Giving me a wink, he said, “Not down the aisle, but to your chariot. Well, a makeshift one anyway.”
Standing in the living room, I watched as Taylor, Meagan and Ellie all headed out the front door. Making their way to where everything was set up. My heart was pounding and my hands were sweating so bad I had to keep wiping them on my father’s jacket. Each time I did it he looked at me and frowned.
Libby handed Mireya the basket filled with rose petals as Mireya jumped with excitement. I couldn’t help but laugh at my precious little niece.”
Daddy leaned over and said, “Hard to believe she’ll be two in November. I miss her being a baby.”
Biting on my lower lip, I realized Luke and Libby hadn’t told my parents about the new baby.
“Yeah, me too. But she is so much fun at this age,” I said as I looked over at my father and Mireya.
Libby called out and told Mireya to follow behind her. Giving me a wave, she took off out of the door
Inhaling a deep breath in, I slowly blew it out. “Ready?” my father asked.
Turning to him, I smiled and said, “So ready.”
Reaching down, Daddy picked me and held me as tears filled his eyes. He slowly made his way out the door and down the steps. “Jesus, Daddy. Don’t fall. If you break your leg you’re going to screw up my whole wedding day.”
My father looked at me with a stunned look as we both busted out laughing. When he turned the corner, I glanced up and saw Jack, one of my horses saddled up in a beautiful white saddle. Wiping my tears away, my father lifted me up and helped me climb up onto Jack. “I can’t believe I’m walking you and a horse down the aisle. I’m sure Noah is loving this.”
Laughing, I looked over to where everyone was and the first thing I saw was the love of my life standing at the end of the aisle. The song “Giving It All (To You)” played as Daddy slowly made his way down the aisle as he led Jack. Trying to pull my eyes from Noah so I could look at everyone else, I couldn’t help but notice how freaking handsome he was.
Damn I’m a lucky girl.
I quickly glanced around as I smiled and said, “He’ll be offering guided kiddy rides after the ceremony for anyone interested.”
Laughter erupted and I could feel my father’s eyes on me.
“Funny,” he whispered. When we got to the end of the aisle, my father helped me off of Jack and slowly set me down. The pain immediately pounded in my ankle and I let a small whimper slip from my lips. Noah was by my side and had his arm wrapped around my waist before my father could even react.
“I’ve got you, baby,” he said as he gave me a drop-dead gorgeous smile. My heart melted on the spot and I fell in love with him more. If that was even possible.
“I’ve got this, Noah,” my father said as he gave Noah a small push away.
Giggles could be heard all around me as I looked between the two favorite men in my life. “No, really, sir. I’ve got it from here.”
Feeling my cheeks blush, I turned to my father who was glaring at Noah. Pointing a finger at him, my father said, “You’re only borrowing her, Noah.”
Noah nodded and said, “Yes, sir. Got it.”
My father pointed again. “I know people, who know people who will take you out.”
Noah’s eyes widened as he slowly nodded his head and said, “Yes, sir. You’ve mentioned that a time or two.”
Grandpa Mark let out a chuckle as he said, “Paybacks. Oh man I love paybacks.”
“Oh Lord help this family.”
My eyes snapped over to Pastor Roberts. I hadn’t even seen him standing there. Letting out a chuckle, I wondered how Colt ever talked this poor man into doing another one of our family’s weddings.
My eyes then caught the little teal and brown bench I’d found at an antiques store in Fredericksburg. It had been in the front display window of Wild Flowers. Turning to Noah, I asked, “What’s the bench for?”