Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
When they reached Carl, he stepped forward, hand outstretched. Seth lifted his mom’s hand from his arm and placed her fingers in the palm of the man who would soon vow to love, honor, and cherish her.
“Be happy, Mom,” he whispered softly in her ear.
She nodded, tears spilling, as she gazed up at Carl with complete devotion and joy.
Seth stepped back and turned, then eased into the pew beside Heavenly. He leaned in, skimming a glance over each of his brothers’ faces, at the love and pride etched there.
Father Heasley began the ceremony, his warm voice filling the sanctuary with familiar words about love, commitment, God’s blessings, and second chances. Mom and Carl stood facing each other, hands clasped, eyes brimming with love and hope for their future.
Seth watched his mother. She’d held their family together after his father’s death, shouldered responsibility without complaint. She’d been the rock everyone leaned on. Now, standing there with Carl, she looked lighter.
Because, starting today, she would no longer be alone.
They spoke vows, the quiet weight of their promises solemn but clear. His mom’s voice cracked through tears, but didn’t break. Carl’s voice was strong and sure, his love for her unmistakable in every word.
Then they exchanged rings, looking into each other’s eyes with certainty as the bands slipped into place.
When Father Heasley finally pronounced them husband and wife, the church erupted in cheers and applause as Carl pulled his new wife into a tender, lingering kiss.
As he watched them, relief and reassurance settled with a warm glow in Seth’s chest.
Finally, his mom was happy. Settled. Safe.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Father Heasley announced with a broad smile, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mahoney.”
As the newlyweds turned, the applause grew louder. Both grinning wildly, they clasped hands and began walking back down the aisle together.
With his heart overflowing, Seth grinned and clapped as the couple passed. Then he glanced at Heavenly and Beck.
Very soon. We’ve waited long enough.
With Heavenly on his arm and Beck at his side, Seth entered the hotel’s sophisticated ballroom, smile firmly in place. Hudson followed, gaze swiveling as he took in the floral centerpieces and linen-draped tables under warm amber lights. The low hum of music and conversation already filled the room, and along the back wall sat an elegant tiered cake topped with delicate sugar flowers and swirled icing. Guests grabbed drinks from the bar, seemingly all smiles as the small band set up behind a glossy wooden dance floor.
“This is beautiful,” Heavenly murmured.
Seth nodded. “If there’s one thing my mom is good at, it’s throwing a party.”
“She looks really happy,” Beck commented.
“She is.” Despite everything else going on in Seth’s life, that fact gave him solace.
Unfortunately, in less than forty-eight hours, he was going to ruin that.
But tonight was all hers.
As they circulated around the room, they exchanged pleasantries with Grace’s church friends and neighbors, who congratulated him and Heavenly on their engagement and remarked about his handsome son. Hudson all but blushed at the attention. Heavenly smiled graciously, handling it all with her signature warmth. Beck stayed quietly supportive at Seth’s side.
Across the room, he spotted an old friend standing near the bar, nursing a whiskey and chatting with one of Carl’s crew.
With a grin, he tugged his crew in the man’s direction. “Come on. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
When they reached the corner, the man looked up and broke into a wide grin. “Seth!”
“Hey, Gene.” Seth extended his hand.
Instead of accepting, the man pulled him in for a strong hug, clapping him on the back. “Good to see you, kid. You clean up nice.”
“So do you. Damn, man. It’s been a while. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Gene assured. “Your mom is one in a million. I’ve done my best to watch over her through the years, like your dad would have wanted me to. I’m really happy she found love again.”
“Me, too.” Seth turned. “This is Gene Hammond, my dad’s best friend and former partner on the force. He’s been there for the Coopers through thick and thin for twenty years.”
The man had even saved Seth’s life when he was sixteen and hell-bent on ending it all by slamming his car into a concrete barrier at a hundred miles an hour. But Seth kept that to himself.
“And this,” he went on, “is my fiancée, Heavenly.”
Gene’s eyes lit up as he smiled and gently took her hand. “I’m glad to finally meet you. Seth, you’re a lucky man.”
“Thank you,” she said warmly. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good, I hope.” Gene winked before eyeing Hudson up and down with a wide grin. “And this must be your son, Seth. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was looking at you at sixteen. There’s no denying who your father is.”