Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1) - Page 61
“I love you, Jace,” she whispered. “And not just for this. I loved you from the moment you hid in my barn.”
“I know,” he replied, grinning. “I'm kind of irresistible.”
“You most certainly are,” she agreed, and she kissed him again.
Chapter Thirty-One
One year later...
Everything was ready. Or as ready as it was going to be.
It felt different being on this end of the preparations.
“Okay, the caterer is set up and on time, here's your bouquet, the DJ is already set, the photographer is just finishing up the boys shots, and the only thing that seems to be an issue is your lack of smile,” Mia said, peering over her clipboard at the bride.
Ella forced a weak smile. “Better?”
Mia, Ella's new assistant, shook her head. “No. Seriously, I have this under control. I have since day one. That's why you hired me.”
“I know.” Ella sighed and smoothed her hair again. It was hair-sprayed so well that a hurricane wouldn't undo it, yet she kept feeling like it was going to tumble all around her. “I'm just nervous. It wasn't like this for the other weddings.”
“The other weddings weren't your wedding,” Mia reminded her with a gentle smile. “Now, put on a smile, go have a drink of champagne with your bridesmaids, and let me handle everything. That's what your paying me for.”
Ella glanced around the kitchen one last time and realized how silly it was for her to be in here. She couldn't fix a catering issue while wearing a wedding dress. Besides, the ceremony was supposed to start soon and she shouldn't be in the kitchen when it did.
“Okay.” Ella put on a real smile. “You're sure you have everything ready? What about the cake? And the carriage? Are the horses ready?”
“Ella, if you don't go upstairs and drink some champagne with your friends, I will have security come get you,” Mia warned. “I know you are the owner of this inn, but I will have them escort you away.”
Ella pouted. “Fine.”
“You look beautiful by the way,” Mia said, giving her a smile. “Today is going to be perfect. You're marrying the love of your life, right? Who cares what the rest of the day looks like.”
Ella paused. Those were the words she usually said right before making sure that everything really and truly was perfect. Mia was learning well.
On impulse, Ella pulled Mia into a hug. It wasn't the first time in the past ten months since Mia was hired that Ella had hugged her, but it
was the first time that Ella really felt that things were really and truly coming together.
With the help of the Connor's lawyers, the inn was Ella's. She didn't even have to wait until her birthday, as the tax evasion and fraud landed Delores in jail before that. It was amazing what a good lawyer and a full retainer could accomplish.
In addition, the tax lawyer and accountant had managed to get Ella's tax debt down to a reasonable number. It was even low enough that Ella had been able to refuse Jace's offer to pay for it. She'd worked hard to earn this inn, and as much as she loved and trusted Jace, it didn't feel right to use his lawyers and take his money.
If anything, that seemed to make Jace love her more. She didn't quite get why, but she didn't care. He loved her. And he did spoil her by “accidentally” buying things for the inn. Somehow, the air conditioner meant for his office building in New York magically ended up installed at the inn. The same thing happened when the water heater needed replaced, and somehow a magical shipment of premiere towels ended up at Blue Lake inn and Resort.
Ella loved that he wanted to spoil her. After so many years of basically being on her own, it was a wonderful feeling to be loved and pampered. But, she still told him not to do it.
Thinking of Jace put a smile on Ella's face as she headed upstairs to the bridal suite. Her mother's dress rustled softly along the wood floors as she walked. The sound was calm and soothing. For a moment, Ella thought of her mother and how much she wished both her parents could be here.
Then the door to the bridal suite opened, spilling out music and laughter.
“There you are,” Madelyn called to her, pulling her inside. “Mia sent a message that if you didn't show up in the next thirty seconds we were supposed to come looking for you.”
“I'm here,” Ella replied, grinning at the women in the room. Madelyn, Allison, Gwen, Clarissa, and Maria were all here. They were all laughing and drinking champagne because they were celebrating her marriage to Jace.
It felt good. It felt right.
Madelyn looked her up and down. She reached out and touched the satin fabric of the dress. “I loved getting married in this dress. I thought it was made for me, but I was wrong. It was clearly made for you.”
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