Page 116 of Beau & Autumn

“You’re going to be fine, princess.” He leans in to give me a kiss on the cheek before he lowers my veil.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Just promise to love and take care of each other always.”

Tears brim in my eyes. I knew it would happen before I even got down the aisle, I’m an emotional crier from way back. Luckily Gran gave me one of her vintage hankies when she gave me the antique hair clip. I know I’m going to need it. “Always,” I say. “We’ll never break it, Dad. I love him so much.”

Dad grins. “Well, then. Let’s go get you married… again.”

I laugh as Dad helps me off the cart. My eyes search for Beau waiting at the pretty flowered archway.

There he stands at the end of the long aisle with his brothers; Gabe is fastening a rose to the pocket of his tuxedo jacket. He went all out this time. He looks fantastic.

My eyes meet his and I’m back there again. To the time I first fell in love with him when we were clowning around on the couch in the distillery lunchroom.

His hair is slicked back. His scruff is tidy and his blue eyes shine along with his bright smile.

My husband. My heart feels so full it could burst. I’m so ready to do this.

I’m ready to make him mine, again.

??

Beau

“Just hold still while I fasten the damned thing.” Gabe attempts to pin one of Brook’s prized rose buds through my jacket pocket.

“Just don’t put a hole in the Hugo Boss,” Gray chuckles.

Gray bought me the suit as a wedding present. He said everyone should own at least one decent outfit. Plus, there’ll be more weddings and christenings and parties to come in the near future.

I straighten myself out as Gabe steps back to look at me. “Now it’s perfect,” he says.

“Who are you, the rose whisperer?” I laugh.

Gabe shrugs. “I’ve learned a thing or two over the years.”

I smile. “It means a lot that you all agreed to be my groomsmen.”

Fletcher is standing next to me as my best man. Things are going from strength to strength with him and Penny. The bouquet of roses worked a charm on that second date, which led to a third, and a fourth. One of these days he might actually kiss her.

“You do look good,” Fletcher quips. And coming from him, that says a lot.

“You clean up real nice.” Brook pats me on the back with a thud. “Nice goin’, bro.”

I pull a face. “Did I look so bad before?”

“No, it’s just been a while since any of us wore a suit,” Brook explains, then rolls his eyes. “Except Gabe, of course.”

“Well I couldn’t exactly get married in flannel. And thanks to Gray, I’ve now got a quality tux for any future weddings that might pop up.” I raise my eyebrows toward Gray.

Brook and Gabe both turn to look at him. “Something you wanna tell us?”

Gray shrugs. “Soon. Maybe.”

“You’re thinking of proposing?” I whisper so only the five of us can hear.

“Not thinking about it.” He quirks a smile. “But y’all keep it on the down low for now. It’s Beau and Autumn’s day.”

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