Page 94 of Then Came Love
“Life has a way of bringing the right people together at the right times,” Sarah said.
Jordan could only hope that Casey had been so lucky. Maybe she’d been raised by a loving couple.
Jonathan took loads of pictures as Jordan was transformed into a woman so beautiful, she didn’t recognize herself. She thanked them profusely, and Jonathan walked her out to the car, fixing her dress after she settled into the driver’s seat.
“Honey, you are the brightest star in Jax’s sky tonight and every night. Give your big hunk of deliciousness a little extra love from me. He did good.”
“I will. Thank you so much, Jonathan, and please thank Sarah again for me. She’s an amazing woman.”
She drove home to Jax’s with a smile plastered on her face and raced through the front door, only to be stopped in her tracks once again, blown away by the sight of a red-carpet runway lined with lights leading to the living room, which was decorated with strings of twinkling lights and vases of red and white roses and daffodils. Jax stood at the end of the runway wearing a white tuxedo with black lapels and holding a microphone. Coco sat beside him wearing a white tuxedo collar, her tail wagging.
“Welcome home, sweetheart. Please make your entrance runway worthy.” Jax lifted the microphone, flashing the smile that made her heart turn over in her chest. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we are graced with designer Jordan Lawler wearing one of her original gowns.”
Jordan teared up as she made her way down the runway, toward the man who had not only rocked her world but had become it. Behind him she saw a long table draped in white, covered with enough enormous pretzels, pigs in blankets, and lime gelatin salad to feed an army. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
Jax pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I’d do anything to see your smile, sweetheart. I hope you don’t mind, but I can’t take credit for the food. I hired Finlay to cater since she missed out on the business from your wedding.”
“I think it is wonderful. You’re wonderful!” She threw her arms around him and kissed him.
“Finlay brought whipped cream, but I put it away for us to enjoy later.” He brushed his scruff along her cheek. “I look forward to eating it with my favorite dessert.”
Her body threw a little party, and she was about to suggest she have him as an appetizer when the front door opened, and her aunt walked in wearing the V-neck tulle gown with embroidered shooting stars on the skirt that Jordan had sketched. Uncle Gary was behind her, dressed to the nines, along with the rest of Jax’s family and their significant others. All the girls were wearing Jordan’s designs.
She couldn’t believe they’d all flown in to be there, and Jax had somehow found the time to have all of her sketches made into gorgeous gowns. There was no holding back the happy tears spilling down her cheeks as the couples strutted down the runway and Jax described each of the Jordan Lawler originals they were wearing, as if they were at her own private fashion show.
JAX’S HEART FILLED up as he watched the people he loved most embrace the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Jordan glanced in his direction, joy radiating from her beautiful eyes as their families raved about her dresses, and Jillian tried to convince her to quit her job and design full time. But Jordan would have no part of leaving behind the family she had at Pleasant Care Assisted Living.
Jax’s father sidled up to him. “That’s not the same lonely young woman who came to dinner at our house four months ago.”
“I’m not the same lonely man, either.”
“Should we start planning another wedding?”
“As much as I want to say yes, the answer is no.”
“Now, that surprises me.”
“Take a good look at her, Dad. You’re the one who taught me that sometimes it’s not about being in the limelight but about helping others shine. These last few months, she found her true self, and she just found her tribe, as Morgyn calls it. I want her to enjoy that without the pressure of planning a wedding.” Jordan glanced at him again, and their gazes held, that magnetic pull drawing him in as it always did. “Excuse me, Dad. I’m having withdrawals.”
His father laughed. “You are definitely my son, because I was thinking the same thing about your mother.”
Jax headed for Jordan and slid his arm around her waist. “Excuse me, ladies. Would you mind if I steal the designer for a few minutes?”
“From the look on my niece’s face,” Sheila said, “I don’t think it would matter if we said we did.”
“We won’t be long.” He guided Jordan away from the others, talking low. “Would it be in bad taste if we snuck into the bedroom?”
“Yes.”She wound her arms around him, tickling the back of his neck with her fingertips. “Mr. Braden, you have outdone yourself tonight. What can I possibly ever do to top this?”
He held her closer. “One day, when you’re ready, you can marry me.”
“Jax…?” she said incredulously.
“I know it’s too soon, but life’s too short to hold in the important things.”
A wealth of love shone in her eyes. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“I think I have a pretty good idea.”
