Jackson’s Destiny(46)

When he stepped inside, I shut the door so Ryan couldn’t walk by and see her. We were getting ready in Tammy’s bedroom, and the guys were getting dressed on the other end of his parents’ home so the bride and groom wouldn’t risk seeing each other.

“You look beautiful, Am,” he said as he stared at her, shaking his head lightly as if to clear his thoughts.

“What are you doing here?” Amber’s voice was hoarse. “I thought you couldn’t get away from work.”

“Walking my only daughter down the aisle is much more important.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder toward me. “Not to mention a certain person reamed my ass for being a shit father.”

Amber swallowed hard as her gaze connected with mine.

“She’s completely right, and it’s time for me to stop being so self-absorbed,” he said. “I just hope I’m not too late to make things right with you.” He looked more sincere than I ever thought he could. My heart was racing, my stomach was in knots, and all I wanted was for this entire day to be perfect for Amber. She deserved it.

“You’re not too late,” she whispered, and just like that, all hope of preserving our makeup went straight out the window.

The door opened, and Alena entered with Olivia by her side. They both froze as they watched Amber and her father hugging.

When Amber’s father released his hold on her, she looked over and gave Alena a reassuring smile. Then her gaze shifted to Olivia. “Dad, meet Olivia. Ryan’s daughter and a very special girl in my life.” Amber winked at Liv when her cheeks reddened. “Liv, this is my father. You can call him Tom.”

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Olivia said as she held her hand out toward him.

As Am stepped up to my side, she bumped my hip with her own. “Thank you for this,” she whispered.

“You don’t owe me any thank-yous,” I assured her.

“You’re right,” she said. “I owe you so much more. You’re an amazing friend, Bay, and I love you.”

I draped an arm over her shoulder and held out my other hand to Alena. She joined us, and I squeezed them both close. “I love you two knuckleheads.”





Chapter Thirty-Four





Jackson



Usually during a wedding, all eyes are on the bride, but mine were actually glued to a very sexy maid of honor. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Amber looked gorgeous, and my brother was one lucky man, but Bailey was the most beautiful person in the room. I barely heard a word spoken during the entire ceremony. It was as if I had tunnel vision and Bailey was the only person in the room.

When the preacher said, “You may kiss the bride,” Bailey lifted her eyes to meet mine. A small smiled spread across her lips, and I vowed to myself that one day soon, she and I would be back here in this very spot saying our own ”I do’s.”

When the newly married couple had stepped down from the altar, I rushed to Bailey and gave her a kiss of her own. Noah cleared his throat behind us, making Bailey giggle against my lips.

“Move it along, you two,” he whispered as he nudged my shoulder.

I intertwined my fingers through Bailey’s and held her delicate hand firmly in mine. I wasn’t the kind of guy who enjoyed all the girly shit like hand-holding and snuggling, but it was different with Bailey. I needed to feel her body against mine so much, I even craved small things like holding hands.

We held the ceremony and the following reception at the one place we all loved—the ranch. Being surrounded by the place my father spent his life building just made his presence even stronger, even though he couldn’t physically be here. I truly think we all felt it.

Standing just to the left of the tent entrance, the entire wedding party greeted the guests as they entered. I held Bailey’s hips and positioned her in front of me, her back pressed firmly against my front. As the younger guys from town passed, they eyed Bailey and Alena appreciatively. No one had to tell me how lucky I was.

Bailey arched her neck back as she looked up at me, then nudged her head to the right. I immediately shifted my gaze and couldn’t help the smile that took over my face. Noah was pressed up against Alena’s side with his arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close. Her eyes were closed as she concentrated on whatever he was whispering in her ear.

The moment she bit down hard on her lower lip, I had to look away. It was a scene I no longer needed to be witness to, but the idea that Noah may be letting go of the shit his ex-fiancée had put him through gave me a small sense of relief. If he could find even an ounce of what Bailey and I had, he wouldn’t give two shits about what Stacy had done to him years ago.