Lucky in Love (Southern Bride 4)

Everything was perfect.

A light knock came at the door, and I turned to see who Lucy was talking to. She smiled and nodded. We were getting ready in the small cabin that had once upon a time been used by the hunters, but was now my mother’s office.

“Truitt wants you to go to the window, he has something he wants to show you.”

I looked at her, stunned. “He wants to see me before the wedding?”

She shook her head. “No, just walk over to the window.”

I opened the large wooden shutter doors and the moment I looked out, I gasped. Sitting out front was a carriage. A horse-drawn carriage.

“Because every queen and princess needs a carriage.” The voice came from the side of the window and my heart jumped at the sound of it.

“Truitt,” I whispered. Liliana was holding my hand, looking at the large princess-cut diamond ring Truitt had slipped on my finger last night when we spent the evening alone having supper and just relaxing. While everyone else was at the rehearsal, we were home in bed, making love and eating leftover barbecue. Once midnight approached, Truitt kissed me goodbye and walked towards my parents’ house where he had then stayed the night.

“Are you nervous?” he asked.

I laughed. “No. Are you?”

“Nervous as hell, but happy beyond belief.”

His hand came around, and I reached for it. I could hear the photographer behind me snapping picture after picture.

“So pwetty, Mommy,” Liliana said, twisting the diamond back and forth on my finger.

“Hey, princess,” Truitt called out, causing Liliana to yell out Truitt’s name and nearly dive through the window. Luckily, Lucy saw that coming and grabbed her.

“Are you ready to become my wife?” Truitt asked, still holding onto my hand.

“Beyond ready. What about you, ready to give up the bachelor life for an instant family?”

“It’s what I’ve been praying for every night.”

My heart jumped, and I clutched my chest. This man knew how to make me weak in the knees and speechless.

“I love you so much,” I said as I squeezed his hand.

Truitt stepped in front of the window, a blindfold wrapped around his eyes and a smile on his face.

“Kiss me and prove it.”

I laughed and leaned out the window. “You goofy man. Please tell me you’re not walking around with that on. You’ll break your leg!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got him covered,” Roger said, appearing next to his brother. He looked past me, and his eyes widened in delight when he saw Lucy.

“Wow,” he said, unable to tear his gaze away from her.

“Does she look beautiful?” Truitt asked.

Roger nodded. “Most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

I cleared my throat and tilted my head as I regarded Roger. His eyes snapped up to me and a blush hit his cheeks.

“Um, I mean, Saryn looks stunning, yes.”

Truitt frowned and spun around. “You better not be checking out my future wife, you asshole.”

I covered my mouth and giggled. “He was actually looking at someone else and not me.”

“Oh, is that so?” Truitt said, intrigued.

“Shut up or I’ll spin you around and tell you to find your own way to the altar.”

Truitt laughed and then turned again, his back to me.

“I’ll see you in a few minutes?”

Roger sighed. “For the love of Christ, man. Has love made you stupid?” He placed his hands on Truitt and turned him so he was facing me.

I fought to hold back the giggles. “I’ll see you in a few.”

Before I knew what was happening, I was being handed my bouquet, ushered to the carriage, and driven up to the spot where we were getting married. Everything had to be done down to the minute since we were attempting to time the wedding with the sunset. The day had been beautiful and warm for a Texas winter. The few clouds in the sky meant we would have a brilliant sunset, and I was beside myself with anticipation.

The carriage pulled up and stopped. My father got out and helped Liliana down first. She promptly took Lucy’s hand. She was given a basket and told not to throw the petals yet.

My father blocked my view of Truitt and, to be honest, I didn’t have the courage to look at him yet. I knew the moment I saw him my knees would most likely buckle and my poor father would have to carry me to him.

I took Daddy’s hand and allowed him to help me out of the carriage. He placed his hands on my upper arms and said, “You look so happy.”

“I am happy, Daddy. He makes me happy.”

He kissed me lightly on the cheek. “I know he does. Let’s go get you married to the right guy this time.”

With a half laugh, half groan, I nodded. I looked down and waited for him to stand at my side. The music started. That was my cue to walk, and when I looked up, Truitt was turning around to watch me. He must have had his back to us, waiting for the music to start.