Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Mom?”
She sighs. “If you must know, Granny Lark pulled me aside after the groom’s dinner last night. We were reminiscing about that old bakery in Capitol Hill we loved when you were little. I might’ve mentioned the ice cream stand, and . . . the woman is relentless.” Mom beams me a shaky smile. “You don’t even want to know how she tracked down five pounds of cherries in the off season with all the grocery stores closed. It’s not quite the old Raven Swirl recipe, but we churned up a decent batch for the reception. Just a fun little extra we thought people would like. Only now I’ve gone and ruined the surprise, so—”
“Mom!” I just react, leaping up and throwing my arms around her. “I’m proud of you.”
I’m honestly trembling, wondering how this day can get any better.
I haven’t seen my mother so much as glance at a pint of ice cream in a freezer case since the day Harry Jay wrecked her business.
“Yes, well, my daughter’s big day only happens once.” She wipes under her eyes, checking to make sure she hasn’t smeared her liner. “Let’s walk.”
I accept the offer without another word. Just grinning because I think this won’t be the last time Mom revives her old passion.
I really owe Gran a nice massage gift certificate or a new set of gardening tools. What can’t her scheming do?
With my arm in Mom’s, I take my first step into the brilliant golden sunlight.
Perfection awaits.
Our little crowd turns to look at us as the music swells from the ship’s speakers.
Gran has Queenie on a short leash. The Lab barks when she sees me, straining a little to get closer.
She’s gotten better at containing her excitement, but it’s not easy today with so many people, the sea, and a strange new environment.
Later, I mouth, pointing at my eyes, then back at her, looking as stern as I can. You’ll get hair on my dress, girl. Stay.
She barks loudly like she understands and lies down with a grumble.
Everybody laughs.
As I blink in the daylight, my chest splits open until it feels like I’m breathing helium instead of air.
It’s almost scary, being this happy.
Up ahead, the song switches over, and we start slowly moving forward toward the arch at the end.
Everyone else stands in their seats. Friends, family, the people closest to us and no one else.
And, of course, Brady, standing beside the captain, who doubles as our officiant in his crisp white uniform.
There are so many people as I keep moving forward. So many faces giving me their very best.
Granny Lark throws me a mischievous wink.
Kerrigan beams, maybe the most emotion I’ve ever seen on her.
Even Alec looks up in his wheelchair and gives me a brusque nod of approval.
Even the hardest hearts are melting today.
Brady chose a wonderful linen suit. He looks like a white knight, glowing in the sunlight, my own wise guardian angel come to earth.
The outfit accents his dark hair and the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen.
His mouth parts as I walk down the makeshift aisle. This isn’t a church, no, and although Kerrigan insisted on the traditional “bride walk,” all I really want to do is get to my groom ASAP.
Preferably without tripping over the hem of my dress.
He reaches out to me and squeezes my hand when I close in. Predictably, the breeze tosses those loose curls over my face, and I blow them back into place.
“Ouch, woman. You’re so beautiful it hurts,” he whispers.
“I know,” I whisper back, pumping his hand. “You look pretty decent yourself.”
With a huge grin, he nods.
Together, we turn to the captain as he clears his throat.
Time melts and starts flowing differently.
I don’t remember much about the ceremony or the words we say when the promises are already steel in our hearts.
Oh, but I remember the scenery.
Especially when a small orca pod surfaces in the distance, blowing their spouts, and the ceremony almost pauses so we can all get a good look at them.
A yellow seaplane passes overhead, possibly following the whales for tracking. I actually freak out a little.
One glance at Mom tells me she sees it too.
Maybe it’s just a happy coincidence, yeah. But maybe it’s my aviation-buff father looking down, giving us a giant thumbs-up from the Great Beyond.
Queenie barks at the whales, to everyone’s delight, wagging her tail.
I just hope she isn’t too spooled up to forget ring duty.
And I remember Brady’s vows when they come, the way he promises to dedicate every second of his life to me, to make me feel supported and loved.
Soon, I echo the same. How I love my new husband more than life and that I accept him completely.
How I’ll always want him in sickness or health, anger or joy, life or death.
With Brady, it’s so easy, knowing he’ll always help me be my own unapologetic self.