Worth the Wait (McKinney_Walker #1)(75)
“No. Not for me, for yourself. You’ve given me everything, done everything. I couldn’t have wished for a better man to raise me.” She held the sides of her dress out, some silk organza or something, a smile splitting her face in two. “Look at me. I’m getting married. I’m in love.”
She was; he could see it. She glowed brilliantly with it.
“I have the horses, my students, my brothers, a pack of sisters… and a man I love who loves me back. If I was any happier, I would explode.” She wound her arms around his neck. “Be happy,” she whispered against his ear. “It’s time.”
He held her tightly, absorbing her, her happiness, and her words and at the same time telling himself he wasn’t hugging her goodbye. When they pulled back, he took her hands, and the years flashed in front of him. He saw her at two and five and ten. “I love you.”
“I know.”
“If he ever does anything, anything…”
She rolled her eyes at the same warning he’d given a hundred times, and it bumped them both away from the threat of sentimental tears.
The music started, and from where they stood around the corner, he caught sight of the last bridesmaid walking through the open doors. He led Hannah past the holy water font, and they waited just out of view for the change in music. Three mini McKinneys, all in tuxes, strode before them. The two taller ones flanked the smallest boy on either side.
“If you love her,” Hannah whispered, “don’t let her get away.”
He barely had time to react before the Wedding March began. They walked slowly, Hannah’s arm through his. The church was filled with family and friends, the majority of whom were the McKinneys’, but almost all of Hannah’s riding students were there.
Stephen stood waiting, looking sufficiently awed as he should be; gut punched, his eyes red and watery, his lips fighting a quivering smile. Matt stood directly beside him, with a row of brothers lined up after that.
Then Nick’s eyes found Mia’s. He could picture her in a white dress, white flowers in her hand, walking down a rose-covered aisle. She would have that. He would give her that. It might have been a long time ago, but he hadn’t forgotten his plans of standing at the end of a church aisle, waiting for his bride.
The smile Mia sent him shored him up with that last bit of strength he needed as the music ended and the priest signaled the church to sit.
“Who gives this woman to be wed?”
Nick cleared his throat. This is it. “Her brothers and I do.”
Stephen took a deep, steadying breath and stepped forward to receive the gift of Hannah. It was on the tip of his tongue to say one more time, Hurt her and I’ll kill you. But he took a deep breath himself and gave his baby sister away.
* * *
THE WORDS WERE SAID; the rings were on. He’d watched a man kiss his sister in front of God and two hundred people and he was still breathing. Crazy that it had taken nearly five months of planning and preparing and the actual act had taken barely an hour.
The outside reception was in full swing. The giant tent strewn with thousands of tiny lights held a romantic glow. Candlelight flickered on tables and plants in huge pots, and ornamental trees twinkled, turning the scene into a nighttime wonderland.
Waiters in bowties offered heavy hors d’oeuvres on silver trays. Tiny filet kabobs, crab-stuffed mushrooms, and some kind of cheese puff pastry. He’d told Hannah the sky was the limit, anything she wanted, and he’d meant it. He’d saved for this day a long time, and for a long time never thought it would happen. Over all, his sister had kept things pretty simple. On the food, though, he’d insisted she not hold back.
Champagne flowed along with wine, beer, and mixed drinks at the open bar. There were sparkling fizzies for the horde of children moving spastically on the dance floor. Too much sugar amped up by the excitement of being up and out so late.
Mia stood across the room with the bride and her court. He would dance with her before the night was out, but once he touched her, he didn’t want to let her go. He was going to lay it out for her. They were meant to be together, and he’d prove it. And however long that took, they’d be together while he did.
Luke joined him and held out a beer. “Thanks.”
“How many women do you think Zach actually came to the wedding with?” Luke gestured with his bottle.
Nick followed the motion and found Zach at the bar, a grin stretched across his handsome face. “Better question is how many women actually think they’re here with him.”
They both laughed, watching Zach lead one woman away from the bar and onto the dance floor. Amazingly, the women left behind gazed after him with affection. It was baffling the things Zach got away with.