Her Guardian Angel (Fire and Snow)(69)

"Tina, leave young Mr. White alone! You know better than to talk to customers. Now return out the back this instant and get on with those books like you should be doing. They won't do themselves, you know." She grabbed Tina's chair and quickly wheeled her out of sight. Once they were behind the back curtain, he heard some muffled noises but couldn't make out what was going on. He started to march toward the doorway when he heard his mother call out to him. In the time he took to look over at his mother, the older woman came back out from behind the curtain. He turned toward her with hard eyes, staring her down.

"Who was that girl? Why is she in a wheel chair?"

The woman looked down her nose at him. "Tina is no one you need to concern yourself with Mr. White. Now, I believe your mother, future sister-in-law and niece are ready to go." She marched off toward his mother, Adele and Kelly.

As he turned to follow, he heard a small sob come from behind the curtain. He was so going to come back here and help Tina, but not until after the wedding. If he did anything to muck up this day, he wouldn't be around long enough to help anyone. His father had given him strict instructions last night. If he valued his life and having all his body parts attached and in working order, he was to chauffeur the women wherever they needed to go, with no questions and no issues. His father had told him no male had ever survived messing with a bride on her wedding day.

He strode over to his mother first, giving her a light kiss on the cheek and telling her she looked beautiful. He then moved towards Adele. His brother was one lucky man. She looked sensational, glowing with happiness and he gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"You look stunning, Adele, truly radiant." He then turned his attention to Kelly, the sweet child had really blossomed in the last six months. She was growing more confident every day, and today, she looked lovely with her black curls artfully arranged on the top of her head.

"And you, little lady, are going to be the belle of the ball, and you're not even in your dress yet. You better save a dance for your Uncle Conner tonight." She blushed and giggled. He loved making the kid smile.

"Sure, Uncle Conner, I'll save you a dance."

"Well, if we're all done here, how about we head off? I do believe you ladies only have an hour before the photographer will be arriving."

Ha, that got them moving. Within ten minutes, they were driving out to his parents' house to finish getting ready.

~ * ~

Adele stood inside the marquee where the reception would be held later. She was waiting for everyone to get seated so she could walk down the isle to Dominic. She was so nervous. She tugged at her dress, pulling the strapless top up a little. She loved her dress; it was made from vintage white lace. It was fitted around the bust then flared out slightly from its empire waist and the full skirt finished just above the ground so the toes of her shoes showed when she walked. She glanced around the marquee at the others. She couldn't hold back her chuckle when she saw Kit fussing at her dress again. Getting that woman in a dress was a miracle no one had managed before--or so she'd been told. Kit had tried to talk Adele into letting her wear the tux and being their best man, but Conner had refused to wear the dress so that switch wasn't happening. Although, the argument between Kit and Conner had been highly entertaining.

Kit looked up and caught Adele laughing at her. She instantly stopped fussing, smiled a big plastic smile and did a big showy curtsy just to be a smart-ass. Shaking her head, Adele turned toward Kelly. She looked gorgeous. She had put on some weight since the rescue and now had a healthy happy glow to her. Her black curls had been partially tamed into an up-do that looked amazing and elegant, especially with her dress. Both Kit and Kelly wore the same style, the shop had described it as a 'Chic Scoop Neckline Grape Chiffon Satin Tea-Length Dress,' a retro looking garment that complimented her vintage lace beautifully. The deep grape color suited both girls well, and the one inch heels they each wore looked awesome as well--getting Kit into those puppies was another entertaining day she would never forget.

Hearing someone approach from behind her drew her attention; it was her father coming to get them. Adele smiled as joy spread through her. Remi had moved to Tassie four months ago to be nearer to her, and she was loving being able to get to know him, even though her heart ached for all the lost years they could have had, especially the years that her mother had still been alive. Both her parents had suffered greatly over the years. Remi asked her lots of questions about her mother, and they'd even gone back to the mainland to visit her grave last month. That had been very emotional for both of them.