Page 76 of Matched with Her Runaway Groom

Ninety minutes later, I’m in the dress with a full face of makeup and my hair pinned up in curls with a few pieces trailing down my back.

Tiffany walks next to me while Sadie and Isabella follow behind, holding up my train to avoid getting it dirty.

“Where are we going?” I ask, the excitement of the surprise surging.

“Up there,” Tiffany says, pointing to a chairlift up to a large hill.

I lean over, just a little worried at this point. “I know I’ve come a long ways on my fear of heights, but please tell me we’re not getting married while jumping out of a plane or anything.”

Tiffany laughs and shakes her head. “No, definitely no jumping out of planes or off a cliff.”

The lift operators have to stop the whole lift in order to get me with my dress and Tiffany onto it. Isabella and Sadie sit on the one just behind us.

My stomach does a couple of flips at the height below, but at least I’m not shaking like I used to.

Once we get to the top, it’s another fiasco to get me and the yards of cloth off the chairlift without snagging or tearing any part of it. And then we walk a bit and I see it open up. A large field lays before me and a small setup of white chairs and even an arch is set up.

“Hey sis,” Dani says, wiping away a tear. She hands me a large bouquet of flowers, and I’m doing my best not to cry as well.

“Hey sis,” I say back, grateful for this moment with her.

“What about a hug for your real sis?” Hillary asks, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around me. The two of them, along with Tiffany, are dressed in pale pink dresses, the kind that they can actually wear after this day. Or that’s what I’ve heard most brides say anyway.

“I think we’re ready to start. Bridesmaids, lead out.” Sadie has produced a small clipboard from somewhere and is furiously checking things off.

Kenzie, Evie, and Millie wave as they head down the aisle first, with Dani, Tiffany, and Hillary following close behind.

I glance out at the group, realizing my own parents aren’t there.

“Do you mind if I escort you to the front, Rachelle?” Drew asks, holding out his arm to me. He’s about the closest I have to a brother and I slip my arm through his, stepping slowly along with the music someone is playing on a keyboard up front.

“Thank you, Drew.”

“Sometimes family isn’t always blood. Thank you for taking care of Tiffany on the trip.”

I grin, still moving forward. “How do you feel about becoming a dad?”

“I’m over the moon. Isn’t it amazing to look back and see where we were six months ago, or even a year ago? The changes have been for the better.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

I hope I never forget Landon’s face as he looks up at me coming down the aisle. He’s been crying and it’s all I can do to not run over and hug him.

Fifteen minutes later, the vows have been said, the lengthy kiss shared and we’re finally man and wife.

It’s been a rocky road to get here, but I needed every single roadblock and detour. Because it was all worth it.

Epilogue

Rachelle

9 months later

Everything is ready for Tiffany’s baby shower. Take two.

Ellie Jo Evans decided to make her debut into the world the morning of the last shower a month ago. And she’s the perfect blend of spice and sweet. At five pounds, she was small but fierce, only staying in the NICU for one night for monitoring.

And as the honorary aunt, I’ve already done my part to spoil her with nearly everything I see from the store.

---