Page 39 of Heat Stroke

We broke all the rules and spent the night together last night. I mean, we already live together, so what does it really matter. He did leave the house bright and early though. He kissed me good morning and handed me my surprise before saying he was leaving and he’d see me at promptly two o’clock this afternoon.

Still cloudy from sleep and his kiss, I watched as he walked out of our bedroom and I heard the front door open and close before I looked at the package in my hands. Sitting up, I carefully took the bright aqua blue ribbon, one of the colors of our wedding, off of the black box. The top came right off and once I moved the yellow tissue paper, the other of our wedding colors to the side, I saw the photo and the key. I gasped as I grabbed the photo and turned it over to read Blaze’s handwriting on the back.

Wren-

My love,

Today is our wedding day and I can hardly believe it.

It still surprises me every day that you love me and you want a life with me.

You are my life. Everything that matters to me centers around you. I cannot wait to start our married life together.

I bought you a wedding present. Well, it’s really for us, but I wouldn’t want it without you.

The cabin at Toledo Bend has new owners, Blaze and Wren Carrington.

After the first weekend we spent there, I knew that it needed to be ours.

It’s our place… it’s where I told you I loved you, and after damn near giving me a heart attack, you told me you loved me, too.

It’s where we came back to after confronting the past together and spent almost 20 hours in bed.

It’s where I asked you to be my wife and you said “yes”.

Everything important with us has happened at that cabin, so it’s ours.

I love you so much, baby, and I cannot wait to watch you walk down that pathway today and become my wife.

We’ll have to start working on filling all of those bedrooms at home eventually, too… but, practicing until then will sure as hell be fun.

I love you, Wren.

See you at 2PM.

Blaze

It’s a little after one now and I can hear people milling about outside. Our guests have started to arrive.

It’s almost showtime.

My hand tightens on the envelope in my hand as my mom’s teary voice says over my shoulder, “Oh, baby. You’re so beautiful. You’re simply ravishing. I cannot believe that you’re getting married to Blaze today. He’s such a wonderful man to you and watching your love just makes me so happy.”

Alena sniffles and hugs me. “You look stunning, Wren. I’ve never seen you so lovely.”

I hug them both as the makeup artist pats translucent powder over my nose and nods at me in the mirror. “You were an easy bride. Your beauty radiates from within. I just had to highlight it. You’re ready.”

Taking one last look in the mirror as my mom and sister stare at me, I blink to hold back my tears.

I’m getting married.

A knock at the door has my bridesmaids scurrying, and then, my daddy walks in. He looks so handsome in his tux.

Momma reaches for him and he hugs her as they both beam. His voice is hoarse. “Oh, my darling. I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride. Well, except for your mother.” Leaning over, he kisses me as he squeezes my hands.

He looks at momma and then me before saying sheepishly, “Um, I told him no, but he’s not listening.”

My heart jumps into my throat as I look at him.

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