Page 61 of PenPal Hero

Bonnie twirled in front of the mirror, hoping she wasn’t seeing things that weren’t there again. Unless her mind was playing tricks on her, the woman staring back at her through the mirror was wearing a wedding dress.

I’m actually getting married. Me! The flighty administrative assistant who hadn’t known what she wanted to do with her life until recently.

Now she was a fully licensed junior partner at Underwood Realty, getting ready to exchange vows with the man of her dreams.

Holt Winchester was probably already waiting for her down at the altar. He’d joined the church a few weeks ago and gotten baptized, claiming he’d made some promises to the Lord that he intended to keep.

He was trying so hard to overcome the effects of the mind control techniques. In the process, he was determined to become a better man.

For me. It made her love him all the more.

She had a lot to make up for, as well. Things had been royally awkward between her and Jackson ever since she’d tried to, well, strangle him to death. And that was after throwing a punch at the woman he was crushing on, laying her out cold.

In my defense, I thought you were monsters of galactic proportions. She blushed at the memory of her strange visions that day. It was baffling how a person’s own mind could be manipulated to play such horrific tricks on them. She hoped everyone involved in the mind control experiments remained locked up permanently, never again to roam the streets among free citizens.

The door to the Sunday School room opened, and Pearl Yates glided inside in a lacy sage-colored dress that draped to the floor. “My sweet baby girl!” She enveloped Bonnie in a flower-scented hug. “I can’t believe you’re getting married ahead of all your brothers.”

Bonnie hugged her back. “Maybe Jackson will be next.”

“Yeah, he’s gonna need someone else to boss around soon, huh?” Alice sailed into the room on the heels of Bonnie’s mother.

“No kidding!” Laughing, Bonnie held out an arm, motioning for her to join their huddle. “He’s welcome to go flex his big muscles and practice his grumpy voice on anyone else besides me.”

Alice and Pearl Yates burst into laughter.

“You might be surprised to hear how many single ladies are lined up, requesting his bodyguard services.” Summer Rose appeared in the doorway, looking wary.

Bonnie didn’t blame her caution. Summer Rose had been giving her a wide berth ever since their clash in that ratty motel room a few months earlier.

“Actually, I’m not.” Bonnie waved Summer Rose into the room. “Jackson is the best. How else would he have put up with me for so long?”

“She finally admits it!” The brother in question swaggered into the room behind Summer Rose, giving an exaggerated sigh. “Thought I’d never live to see this day.”

“You’re still a grump, though.” Bonnie made a face at him and pretended to turn her back on him.

He came up behind her and caught her in a bear hug that lifted her off the ground.

“Jackson!” She spluttered out his name. “You’re going to mess up my wedding dress!”

He gave her another hug that made her squeal before setting her down. “It’s better than giving you a dutch rub, eh?” He pretended to reach for her hair.

She slapped his hands away. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Not on your wedding day,” he conceded, looking down his nose at her with one of his smug, older brother looks. “But as soon as tomorrow rolls around, all bets are off.”

Though she pretended to bristle at his words, she was secretly rejoicing over how normal he was acting. It had been a while since he’d been this relaxed around her. Too long.

“Thank you,” she whispered, blinking rapidly to hold back the sting of tears.

“For what?” He reached out to tweak her nose.

She dodged the tweak, trying to be serious. “For loving me and forgiving me.” She couldn’t have stood it if he’d given up on her.

“I’m never gonna stop loving you.” Though he playfully slapped his hands on his hips, his expression softened. “You’re the only sister I’ve got, Bon.” He sidled closer to dip his mouth next to her ear. “How many times am I gonna have to tell you that what happened at the motel wasn’t your fault?”

“It feels like my fault.” Her eyes swam with tears as she met his gaze. “I hurt Summer Rose.”

His gaze darkened. “She’s tough. She can handle it.”

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