Page 38 of Marrying the Accidental Groom
He grinned, clearly delighted. In her ear, his low tones rumbled as he said, “That’s my girl.”
A flush of pleasure climbed up her cheeks at Gideon’s words. His certainty grounded her more than she’d ever admit.
Then a tall man in a police department shirt and jeans brushed past them. He carried himself with quiet confidence and offered her a polite, if slightly reserved, smile before clapping Gideon on the shoulder.
“Hey, Trouble.”
Gideon grinned when he recognized the man. “Well, if it isn’t Officer Adams, out in the wild. Are you on duty? I thought you’d have that detective badge by now and not have to work security at events like this.”
The officer shook his head. “Not yet. Apparently, Chief convinced Detective Sloan to stick around. Honestly, I don’t know why I’m surprised anymore. Pretty sure my dad is never going to see that I’m not sixteen years old, getting roped into TP-ing houses with you.”
Gideon laughed out loud. “That was a long time ago. I’m sure he knows you’re a great cop, Cody. Weren’t you the one who tracked down that missing kid at the fall festival? I heard you carried him back to his mama like a Faithmark movie.”
“Yeah, and I still got a lecture on proper perimeter control,” Cody said with a stifled sigh. “Man’s consistent, I’ll give him that.” He turned his attention to her. “And you must be the infamous bride that has the Rumors on the Ridge page buzzing.”
Juliana didn’t know what Rumors on the Ridge was, but she also was completely confident she didn’t want to know.
“She is,” Gideon said, looping an arm around her waist. “Juliana, this is Cody Adams. Cody, my wife, Juliana.”
My wife.
There it was again, that impossible little phrase. It landed with a strange weight—one part surreal, one part strangely reassuring.
“It’s nice to finally meet the woman who managed to lasso this guy. And just between us,” he added, leaning in with a smile, “he’s actually quite the catch.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” she replied with a hint of heat in her cheeks as she glanced at her husband.
“Welcome to Redemption Ridge, Juliana. Enjoy the dance.” Cody dipped his chin and melted into the crowd.
While Cody ambled off, Juliana released a slow breath.
“I told you,” Gideon said gently, brushing a stray wisp of hair from her cheek. “They’re curious. But they’re good people.”
She nodded, but her heart squeezed anyway.
Because what if they weren’t? What if one day, when the novelty wore off and her high heels scuffed their way across too many dusty barn floors, they saw through her?
What ifhedid?
“You okay?” he asked, brow creasing.
Juliana swallowed hard. “Just not used to being the main attraction.”
“You’re not. That would be the bacon-wrapped figs.” He leaned closer, lips brushing her ear. “But you’re a close second.”
Despite herself, she smiled.
“Come on,” he said, tugging her gently toward the dance floor, where the first few couples were already moving to the soft hum of an acoustic guitar. “Let’s show ’em how it’s done.”
“I don’t know how to barn dance.”
“Lucky for you,” he said with a wink, “you married a man who does.”
Juliana let herself be led, heart thudding in a staccato rhythm that had nothing to do with the music. Gideon’s hand was warm in hers, his grip easy and sure, like he had no doubt she’d follow. And maybe that was why she did.
The barn’s floorboards creaked beneath her heels as they stepped onto the dance floor. Couples swirled around them,some in cowboy hats, others in snowflake sweaters or cocktail dresses.
Gideon turned to face her, one hand settling at her waist, the other holding her hand in a loose but certain grasp. He moved easily, feet already shifting in time with the beat.
