Page 62 of PenPal Hero

Bonnie could see what it cost him to say that. “I’m sorry,” she whispered again. “I’ll totally understand if she never wants to have anything to do with me again.”

“She agreed to be in your wedding,” he reminded in a low voice. “It’s a start.”

It was. Bonnie forced a smile, hoping he liked the fact that he’d be escorting Summer Rose down the aisle soon. As far as she knew, they weren’t officially dating yet. That is, unless they were doing it on the sly and keeping it a secret. It was hard to tell with Jackson, because he was so good at keeping secrets.

Preston Yates rapped his knuckles on the open door to announce his presence. “Someone said this is where the party is.” He jovially held out a hand to his wife. “The groom’s mother just walked down the aisle. That means we’re on deck, babe.”

Chuckling girlishly, she spun in his direction to accept his hand.

He winked at Bonnie. “Don’t go too far, kid. I’ll be back to deliver you to the altar shortly.”

She smiled happily as he led her mother away. Zayden was next with Alice, then Jackson escorted Summer Rose. They did a switcharoo after reaching the altar so that Jackson, the best man, was standing next to the groom; and Alice, the maid of honor, was standing next to the bride.

Five minutes earlier

“What’s up, buttercup?” Jackson reached over to cover Summer Rose’s creamy fingers on his charcoal suit jacket. Though she looked as delicate as her namesake, he’d learned that her looks were deceiving. She was much tougher and more resilient than she appeared. Her clash with his sister was proof of that.

She shook her head in bemusement. “You and your corny one-liners.”

“You like ‘em.” He tugged her closer as they headed for the double doors leading inside the sanctuary. “Just admit it already.”

“What I like,” she sighed, “is how terribly out of practice they make you sound.” She turned her head to meet his gaze. “When was the last time you went on an actual date?”

He smirked at her. “Does going on the run together count?”

“Not even.” She scowled prettily at him. “We had a third wheel along, remember?”

He liked the fact that she’d reached the point where she could joke about their harrowing adventure. It was progress. “Then, no. I can’t remember the last time this quiet and shy cowboy took any woman on a real date.”

“You? Quiet?” She snorted, a sound that she quickly muffled as they stepped nearer to the sanctuary. “And shy?”

“Yep.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Just ask my brothers.” Though Summer Rose had always been easy for him to talk to, he normally clammed up around single ladies. He wasn’t sure why.

“I will,” she returned with a sassy toss of her head “As it turns out, I’m in the market for…” she paused dramatically before continuing, “a quiet and shy hero.”

His heart sank. He’d been hoping she was about to say she was in the market for a boyfriend. “I’m nobody’s hero. Just a regular ol’—”

She squeezed his arm to shut him up. “Jackson, my ex-boyfriend is trying to wrangle a plea bargain with the Feds. If he manages to wiggle his way out of jail anytime soon, I’m gonna be in real trouble.”

“Your ex-boyfriend,” he repeated carefully. Now wasn’t exactly the best time to have a conversation like this. The doors would open at any second, and they’d begin their promenade down the aisle.

“It’s Finn Conus, Junior,” she hissed.

Jackson’s jaw dropped as he recognized the name of the notorious criminal that Holt’s testimony had helped put in jail a while back.

“He wants revenge,” she continued. “He’ll be coming for me. So if you’re willing to push me to the front of the line of all the lovely ladies applying for your manly bodyguard services…”

“I’m interested alright,” he assured huskily. Serving as her protector wasn’t the only thing he was interested in, but it was a start. They could add in the boyfriend perks when she was ready.

The doors opened, and the usher nodded at them to step forward.

Bonnie’s father returned to the dressing room. “You ready, kiddo?”

She laid a hand on his arm. “I’m twenty-one, Dad. Remember?”

His dark eyes misted. “I’m still trying to figure out how that happened. It feels like yesterday that we drove you home for the first time in your booster seat.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a tender smile. It was something she’d never told him before, and it was long overdue. “For giving me a home. For loving me. For being my dad.”

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