Awakening Veronica(Divine Creek Ranch 17)(121)

Veronica looked him and Jesse in the eyes so he would know that she didn’t doubt the words she had to say. “No, thank God. Because I don’t think anyone would’ve believed me if they had.”

Barry’s eyes went wide, but as the truth sank in, he bit back a sob and his face crumpled. He didn’t even seem to worry if anyone knew about it. “I’m sorry, Veronica. So sorry.”

Jesse looked behind him to see Hank and Travis still watching them like hawks. “I’m sorry, Veronica. Please forgive me. Forgive us. We were so fucked up in our thinking.” He ran the edge of his hand under his eyes and smiled at her. “You look beautiful in your dress. I’m glad we came so we could see you.”

“Damn straight,” Barry added with a nod and a sniffle. He tried to genuinely smile, which made him almost handsome. He still had a ways to go before he measured up to Cord and Jackson in her eyes, he and Jesse both, but this was a start. Then he opened his mouth. “Maybe we’ll visit Lusty after all. I’ll bet they’ve got some pretty girls there that might help rehabilitate two assholes like us. Or maybe Divine—”

Jesse looked over his shoulder again and quickly said, “Or maybe we shouldn’t press our luck, bro.”

Barry drew a deep breath and looked at his brother and then at her. “Can you forgive us?”

Uncrossing her arms, Veronica said, “Let’s say I agree to start the process. But don’t think I’ll accept a limited change. This is a forever change. If I’m…if we’re going to go forward with any of you, like family, there are going to be real changes from all of you.” She shrugged. “I know this may seem harsh, but I already didn’t have any of you in my heart anyway, with the exception of Cord and Jackson, so it’s not a huge thing to me if you never make it there. I’ll give it a try, but go back to the way you treated me, including the insulting nicknames, even once, and I will not hesitate to cut you out of my life permanently. Life is too short for more of that bullshit.”

“Amen,” a wise voice said from the other entry into the kitchen. Grandma Kate walked over to her side and hugged her. “I’m proud of you, sweet girl. Now, Grace was looking for you. She thought you might want to freshen up for a few minutes before the binding ceremony and I’d like to have a little chat with Jesse and Barry, if I may?”

Laughter bubbled up inside Veronica when she saw the twinkle in Grandma Kate’s eyes. She kissed Grandma Kate on the cheek and said, “I love you.”

Patting her cheek, Kate said, “And I love you, sweet girl.”

Veronica could feel the heartfelt emotion in them as they both hugged her and then she went to her men. Kate was already speaking with Jesse and Barry and she giggled when she heard Jesse say, “Do you mind if we called you Grandma Kate, too?”

“Nothing would please me more, dear boy.”

After a few minutes alone, to freshen up and collect her emotions, Veronica joined Grandma Kate in front of the crackling fireplace, clasping her hand in Kate’s soft, fragile hand. In a clear, strong voice, Grandma Kate said, “Who here wishes to bind his heart and life with this woman?”

“I do,” Hank said as he stepped forward. Veronica’s heart thumped with love as she looked into his gray eyes.

“I do,” Travis said as he also stepped forward and walked over to stand beside Hank, facing Kate and Veronica.

As if on cue, everyone else moved in around them, including her family members.

Kate nodded at Travis and Veronica’s heart swelled as he knelt down on both knees in front of her. Kate placed Veronica’s hand in his and nodded once more to Travis. With reverence, Travis held her hand, palm up, smoothing his thumbs over her sensitive skin until ecstatic shivers traveled up her forearm.

He gave her a wry smile as he smiled up at her. “Veronica, I never thought I’d be so lucky as to find you again, after eleven years. The young girl I knew has grown into the beautiful woman I need in my life. I promise to defend you, to protect you, and to be faithful to you. I promise to love you, and hold you, and help you.” His expression became serious. “I promise to encourage you, to edify you, and to push you to be all you can be.” His eyes flicked to the platinum choker she wore at her throat, the gift they’d given her as their submissive, and he gave her a little half wink that made her blush before he continued with his vows.

She realized there were tears on her cheeks as they cooled but she never let go of his hand. He took the platinum band Hank handed to him and slid it next to the wedding band she wore on her left ring finger. He kissed her palm and pressed it against his cheek, cradling it there for several seconds with his eyes closed before he looked up at her, sheer adoration in his eyes.