Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
“You’re committing to respect your spouse. To communicate your needs and welcome the needs of your partner. You’re committing to sacrifice for one another because relationships only work when that dedication, sacrifice, and compromise is mutual.”
I inhaled an unsteady breath, or maybe I was just inhaling everything that was Daisy.
Those eyes and that mouth and her soul that shouted so loud.
The woman the blood in my veins.
The shadow that had clung so profoundly to my heart that it had always belonged to her.
“Now for your vows.” The judge began to read again. “Cash Cunningham, do you take Daisy Adair to be your lawful wedded wife, and do you solemnly promise that you will love, honor, and cherish her in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, for better or worse, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
The words penetrated. Seeped into my flesh, uniting with that darkened spot hidden so deep inside me.
“I do.” It was gruff and hard. And I was terrified it was the truth.
He turned to Daisy while I clung to her hands like I wouldn’t ever let her get away.
“Daisy Adair, do you take Cash Cunningham to be your lawful wedded husband, and do you solemnly promise that you will love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, for better or worse, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
Moisture bleared those blue, blue eyes. Though they were bright and shining with the affinity that we’d always shared.
That thing that tied us together.
Knitted us in a way that I never knew possible.
“I do,” she whispered.
Those words nearly bowled me over.
But I stood firm. Staring down at her as the judge continued. “Are we exchanging rings today?”
“Yes,” I grunted, refusing to look away from Daisy as she stood beneath my shadow.
I pulled the simple band that would match my mother’s ring from my pocket. One I’d shopped for this morning with my brothers at my side since they would never have me go this alone.
Whatever I was up against, they were in it with me.
Didn’t think I had ever fully accepted that before.
Maybe not until right then as this overwhelming rush of understanding came over me.
The truth that even if I tried to block it or dodge it, no matter how much I believed I wasn’t worthy of it, my family loved me anyway.
I held the ring between two fingers as the judge began to speak, “Daisy, do you accept this ring as a symbol of Cash’s love and commitment to you?”
A tear streaked from the corner of her eye. “I do.”
My throat felt like it was closing off as I slid the ring onto her finger.
Awe filled her breath, my hand so firm on hers as we both gazed at my mother’s ring and the matching band glinting between us like a beacon guiding us home in the middle of a devastating storm.
“The groom’s ring?” the judge asked.
Emery stood and lifted the lid of a jewelry box, extending it so Daisy could remove the ring tucked inside.
“Cash, do you accept this ring as a symbol of Daisy’s love and commitment to you?”
I stared at it for the longest moment before I lifted my hand.
“I do.” The two words felt the most momentous that had ever been spoken.
Daisy gasped the tiniest sound as she worked the ring onto my finger. The black band marking what was supposed to remain barren and bare.
Until her.
I could barely hear what the judge was uttering with the whooshing in my ears. With the clatter of chaos that thrummed and chimed.
“By the virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
And fuck.
I didn’t know what came over me.
How it was possible that I was cupping her face in both hands, my palms on her jaw as I tipped her stunning face up to me.
Gazing into those fathomless eyes.
An endless sky.
And I realized I had no restraint left.
There was nothing I could do but lean down and softly press my lips to hers.
We were frozen for one elongated beat.
While all those promises we just made tied us together.
Knitted and conformed and rearranged.
While every barrier I tried to keep resurrected was brought crashing to the ground.
And I stood on the brink of bliss.
Teetered on the edge.
Before I tumbled right into it.
Then I kissed my wife like I fucking meant it.
FORTY-FIVE
DAISY
I could barely hear the shouts and cheers of my children and Cash’s family over the ringing in my ears. Over the buzz in my heart and the clatter in my spirit.
Could sense next to nothing except for the thrill of Cash’s kiss.
His lips against mine as he kissed me for the first time.