Big Man's Claim (Big Men Big Hearts 2)

“None of that matters, Mel. What matters to me is that you're happy.” His smile is warm. The corner of his lips twitches slightly as he says, “But don't think for one second I won't kick his ass if you need me to.”

“Ryder,” I say, angling my head as I laugh.

“I'm just saying. But seriously, this is your day, this is your life, and there's nothing you could ever do that would make me miss one second of it. I love you, Mel, you're my sister.”

More tears pool up in my eyes, so I dab them away with the tissue. “I love you too, but enough of this mushy stuff. If my makeup does get messed up before I walk down the aisle, it's your fault.”

Chuckling, he holds out his arm. “Let's go get you married then so you can't blame me for anything.”

Giggling, I scoop my arm in his and pick up my bouquet off the table. “I'm ready.”

“It's still not too late to change your mind.” He eyes me with a grin.

“Ryder.” I draw out his name and arch a brow.

“All right, that was your last chance,” he says, pulling the door open.

Leading me to the doors to the garden, Jenna is waiting with the baby.

“You look gorgeous, Mel.”

“Thanks.”

“How you feeling?” she asks.

“Nervous as hell.” My cheeks puff out as I exhale a heavy breath.

“That's normal. I threw up the morning I got married to your brother.”

“That's because you were pregnant.”

Jenna chuckles and smirks. “True.”

“How's my little man doing?” Ryder asks, leaning in to kiss him on the head.

“Well, I learned six month old babies hate tiny suits. He cried for almost half an hour once I put it on him, but he's good now.”

The music starts to play, and my boss pops his head into the small foyer. “They're ready for you.”

Jenna smiles, her eyes twinkling with happiness. “See you at the altar,” she says.

Holding Troy against her hip, and her bouquet in the other hand, she disappears out the door.

I'm so damn nervous. My hands are sweating, and I feel like I might hyperventilate. Every nerve in my body is firing off making my heart beat so hard I can hear it pounding in my head.

The door opens. The signal that it's my turn.

Clutching Ryder's arm hard, I let him take the lead. We round the small corner, and instantly I have tunnel vision. I can't see the rows of chairs or the people in them. I can't hear the instruments or the music or feel the cool air on my skin.

March in New Hampshire is normally pretty cool, but we got lucky today. It's an abnormally warm day, and I can't help but think my father had something to do with it. He always loved the springtime but complained how early spring was so unpredictable.

You could have flowers budding and the trees beginning to flower, then out of nowhere get smacked with a snowstorm. But not today; today is perfect.

'Thanks, Dad,' I whisper silently to myself.

I can almost feel him with me. There's a warm bubble surrounding me. And for a brief second, Ryder rubs my wrist as we walk just like my father used to when I was little and we would dance together in the kitchen.

Tears cloud my eyes as I focus on Branson standing at the altar. He's dressed in a black suit that looks like it was made for him, with a bright white rose pinned to his chest. He's smiling ear to ear, a twinkle of a tear in his eyes as my brother passes me off to him.

Bran shakes Ryder's hand, and both men pat each other on the shoulder. It's nice to see there's no hate or anger between them. Both of them want the same thing, for me to be happy.

And I am. I'm very happy. I'm the happiest I've ever been.

Taking my hand, Branson looks me up and down. “You look beautiful,” he says, kissing the back of my fingers as he tangles his fingers with mine.

“You don't look so bad yourself,” I say with a wink.

The justice of the peace starts her speech. It's sweet and short, just like we requested. Bran and I didn't want a long winded speech. This isn't about someone else talking about love and what they think a couple should feel for each other.

This day is about us and what we feel for each other.

“Branson, your vows,” she says.

Clearing his throat, he turns to face me and takes my other hand. His eyes glisten as he starts to speak. “Melody, you came into my life out of nowhere. We met by accident, and instantly I knew there was something special about you. Your eyes drew me in, but it was your spark that made me fall in love. I can't ever picture my life without you, and I don't want to. I love you.”