Page 29 of Unwrapped By the Grumpy Mountain Man
The soft click of heels alerts me. I turn, and my heart stops, then restarts. An angel walks up the concrete stairs, the sun beaming behind her. She’s in a floor-length sundress that’s white with tiny yellow flowers on it. Over it, her fitted coat, but I can still see the dress cinched at her waist, flaring out over the curve of her hips.
Damn. The instant image of getting my hands on her bare hips, my fingers sinking into her skin as I grip her tight against me, assaults me.
Fucking hell, Hud. Don’t get hard because her damn father is walking beside her.
That kills the erection real quick when I narrow in on her father. He’s a mess. It’s eleven in the morning, and he’s clearly hungover, deep bags under his red eyes, rumpled button-down stuffed half-hazardously into his pants. He’s chugging what I assume–and hope–is coffee from a thermos.
My girl’s expression is pinched, speaking softly to her father as they approach. I can’t hear what she’s saying, but his irritated expression tells me he doesn’t like to be told what to do.
Did I just say, my girl?
She’s not your girl, Hud…
But she’s about to be my wife.
A protective surge pushes me to hasten my steps and meet her halfway. She has her father walking right beside her, and yet, my golden angel looks more alone than I’ve seen when we’ve been together.
No more, Goldie. You won’t be alone anymore.
“Morning,” I tell them. “You look beautiful, Violet,” I tell her honestly.
Her cheeks blush a sweet, rosy under her naturally peach flush. Her father scoffs. Holding back my temper, I respectfully hold out my hand.
“Good morning, sir. Thank you for coming.”
“She’s my daughter. Of course I’d come,” he spits with disgust, looking me up and down. “Hear you got yourself into trouble. Again.”
“Dad, stop it,” she says firmly.
“I know you were with Eden PD, so you know my past. But that’s where it’s stayed. In my past. I have spent longer thanthree years turning it around. The moment my eldest, Silvie, was put in my arms at the hospital, I wanted to protect her. My three girls are my entire world. I’d do anything for them. Anything,” I inflect hard.
“Admirable and he’s hard working,” Violet defends. I wish she didn’t have to. “And he loves those girls fiercely. I’ve seen it. And they love him. This is worth it.”
Her father grumbles something about going to the bathroom and walks off.
“I’m sorry about him,” she says softly.
Her golden blonde hair is in short waves with a pearl piece pulling one side up behind her ear. My finger unconsciously reaches out and rubs the center pearl gently.
“Don’t apologize, Vi, he’s the parent. And while you’re a grown woman, he shouldn’t revert to being the child now.”
Her blue eyes, lined lightly with makeup, brighten at her shortened name. It feels too easy to fall into this familiarity with her. Her hand comes up to touch the pearl piece.
“It was my mother’s. Almost like…she’s with me.”
I take her other hand and lightly squeeze. “I’m sure she is. So proud of the woman you are.”
Her smile is serene, at peace as her eyes mist over. “I think she is, too.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re standing across from each other at the end of the altar. Her best friend, Ivy, and her father stand to the side as Violet and I hold hands. My breathing is heavy, and Ivy’s hands shake a little. I rub my thumb over her silky skin, wanting her to feel calm about this decision.
This may be fake, but I will honor her and take care of her for as long as she is my wife. When it comes time to repeat the vows, I find myself speaking them with sincerity. I want to do all those things. She’s making a huge sacrifice for me and the girls. Eventhough she has her own reasons for marrying me, I get more out of this than she does. I don’t want her to regret it.
"I, Hudson, take you, Violet, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish.”
My heart is pounding in my chest. Not from nerves anymore, but something deeper, bigger. I’ve never said those words out loud before. I never married Kristy. It never felt right. I knew, if the time ever came that I’d marry, I would give my all to my wife. And right now, hearing those words leave my lips, solidifies a knowing I’m not sure I’m ready to confront.
Violet repeats them, and her melodic voice, making such sacred promises, turns me inside out. My eyes heat.The hell.I’m feeling emotional. Her hands squeeze mine as her eyes also shine with emotion.
