Absentminded Angel(Divine Creek Ranch 20)(101)

She’d promised him that she wouldn’t breathe a word to the media about Whit, not wanting to subject either of them to that kind of spotlight, and told him that if he chose, at a future date, they could petition the state to update Whit’s birth certificate, naming True as his father. He hadn’t been expecting that, and he’d assured her that he wouldn’t make trouble for her as Whit’s mother. He just wanted to be a part of his life and watch him grow up, and all three had made it clear he was more than welcome.

He swallowed the lump, overwhelmed that she wanted for the baby to be intimately included in the ceremony. She’d told him that it’d been Jared and Kendry’s idea. That made watching her marry them marginally better, that they’d wanted his son to be right there with them. That told him better than any words could how much they loved Whit, too.

Her eyes were shiny as she made her way through the crowd on her dad’s arm, and she smiled brightly as her eyes came to rest on him. He saw the way she struggled to swallow as she blinked and wanted more than anything to comfort her and tell her it was okay. He understood.

But that didn’t do anything to change the fact that he had bone-deep regrets—or the fact that he was getting drunk as soon as he was alone that night. Obliterated. Hammered.

He took a deep breath and somehow managed to smile at her as she drew abreast of him. Whit’s eyes met his as he gummed his chubby little fist and he grinned at him, making True’s heart feel like it was taking flight. He experienced incredible pain and sublime happiness, all in the same moment, as her gaze shifted to the men waiting at the altar and saw the way her expression changed.

Even though he wouldn’t have missed her wedding for anything, the love in her eyes shattered his heart. Breathe through it. This isn’t about you.

Noble chuckled and pointed, and said, “There has to be a story there.”

Her shoeless feet peeked from beneath the hem of her dress. All she wore was a simple silver anklet. She made a beautiful barefoot bride.



* * * *



Presley Ann had to hold herself back from running to the front of the room where Jared and Kendry waited. They looked so handsome in their suits.

All their families, friends, and coworkers stood as Ethan Grant made his opening remarks and then the ceremony started. She had trouble focusing as she tried to process everything she was feeling.

She’d just fed Whit moments before, so he was content nestled against her chest, Ethan’s soothing voice making him drowse until his long black lashes finally settled against his cheeks and he drew his little hands under his chin. His position against her chest smooshed his little cheek and made him look as if he was smiling in his sleep, and she stroked his cheek as love swelled in her heart.

Kendry and Jared’s hands squeezed hers as she reached out to them and she looked from one to the other, Kendry with his dark blond golden boy good looks and his loving heart, and Jared with adoration glowing in his pale blue-gray gaze.

Is this really happening?

She remembered, the day she’d found out she was pregnant, thinking her life was over. She couldn’t have been more wrong. Her life was truly blessed beyond her imagination.

“Presley Ann?” Ethan said in a kind voice, drawing her from her musing. He must’ve guessed that she’d lost track of where they were in the ceremony and he whispered, “The rings?”

“Uh-oh,” she murmured.

Jared and Kendry couldn’t hide their amusement. Presley Ann looked at her sister who was standing nearby with her face pressed into her hands. Leah looked up and mouthed, “Sorry!” She was supposed to help Presley Ann remember to put the rings on a blue ribbon pinned to Whit’s little white sleeper.

“Oh boy.”

Ethan grinned and said, “That’s okay. Do you know where they are? We can send someone upstairs for them.”

“They’re in my cosmetic case on a blue satin ribbon.”

Leah hustled up and said, “I’ll be right back.” Her soft steps echoed up the staircase at a dead run.

Presley Ann looked up at her men. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I forgot.”

Kendry chuckled and gestured at her feet with his chin and said, “You forget your shoes, too, Cinderella?”

She giggled and said, “Barefoot seemed appropriate. Forgetting the wedding rings? Not so much.”

“That’s our absentminded angel,” Kendry said with a chuckle. “But you know you’re never living this down, right?”

Jared shook his head and gestured with his chin at Kendry’s groin. “Oh, right, you really want to tease her, boner?”

Kendry’s jaw dropped and then he muttered, “It’s a perfectly natural response. So I’m a little nervous.” He winked at Presley Ann and blew her a kiss.