Page 131 of Saving Grace

She grips my coat, laughing into my chest. I smack her ass and drop to my knee again. This time I’m not gettin’ up until my ring is on her pretty finger. Her laughter dies out and her face pulls with emotion. I take her hand and slide the sapphire onto her finger.

Perfect fit.

The ring on her finger.

Her heart in mine.

The captain to my ship. The woman I love. Who loves me so much she moved my world for me, giving me the chance to live again.

She tugs me to my feet. I groan against the ache blooming in my lower back and hip.

“Time to get you home, my love.” Her hands brush over my jawline. Her lips cover mine. I close the space between us and kiss her with every part of me. The good, the bad, and the parts she fixed when she didn’t have to. She opens for me. I claim her.

My Gracie.

My wife.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

GRACE

SIX MONTHS LATER . . .

Mama walks beside me, flowers in her hair. We walk toward the double doors of the huge barn at R & R Ranch. The stars glimmer above us, only outshone by the extravagant amount of fairy lights Ruby strung up over the barn’s entrance and through the trees. Cars line the driveway. One in particular, Blue, sporting tin cans on white ribbon tied to the bumper set to drag behind her.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

My old—Blue.

New—the sapphire on my finger.

Something borrowed—Ruby lent me an expensive looking pair of silvery-blue Roger Vivier heels. She insisted. Something about pumps being an aphrodisiac. Not sure I want to know...

They are under my floor-length lace designer gown, my wedding gift from Ruby and Addy. It’s absolutely stunning. Too much for a gift, but stunning nonetheless. A strapless sweetheart neckline with an illusion bodice, stitched floral motifs scattered over the long flowing A-line tulle ending with a scalloped-trimmed, crystal-studded hem.

Something blue—the brooch Louisa gave me as part of our engagement gift. It was her mother-in-law’s. She told me, as she handed it over, she saw a very similar strength in me that Harry’s mother had. “An ability to weather any storm” were her words before she hugged me tighter than ever.

With my little pops of color over the ivory lace dress, the train glides behind me, albeit over the gravel right now. I tighten my grip on Mama’s arm. A bouquet of creamy flowers rests in my sweaty palm.

Everyone is inside. The warm June breeze floats over my arms. I pull my hair around my neck and let it drape down my chest. The string quartet plays their first note and goosebumps flood my skin. It’s ethereal.

I must have been rooted to the spot, staring at the barn doors, because Mama tugs on my elbow.

“Walk with me, Gracie?” she whispers.

All I can do is nod.

I hang from Mama’s arm as we cross the threshold. Inside is another world entirely. It’s not structured rows and formalities. Two large clusters of white chairs, with satin ribbons tied up in bows at the back, sit on either side. The enormous space is candlelit. As I pass the four musicians, the entire room stands.

White petals litter the floor. I let my gaze wander, taking in the stunning beauty of what Addy and Ruby made for us. My heart thunders as I find each face I recognize. People from work, some friends of Mack’s. I search for family.

I see Addy first. Then, Hudson.

Reed and Ruby right next to them. Harry and Louisa are in the very front row with Lawson. He beams at me, and I tamp down a chuckle. I’ve missed having him around. He was my sounding board for a while there. And I owe him my sanity in those early days. Always with the level head. He’s like the big brother I never had.

I break my gaze from Mackinlay’s family, and he’s there.

Standing tall to the right of the preacher. The dark suit and black hat swallow my attention. I force my eyes up. Deep blues burn into mine.

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