Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
“I think so, too.” Lauralee is on my left, and comfort walks beside me on my right.
We aren’t kept waiting long and are led down a hallway to the judge’s office. When he joins us, our witness walks in with him. Mickey comes to shake my hand but gives that up to meet Lauralee.
“Thanks for coming,” I say after quick introductions to both. “Figured since you’d find out tomorrow anyway, it would be good to have you here.”
“It was not a text I was expecting.”
Lauralee laughs . . . a little too hard. “I’m sure.”
I say, “People can change. I’m standing here ready to marry this beautiful woman.”
The judge says, “Are we ready to get married?”
My girl steps up next to me, and says, “We are.”
“Let’s get started then.” It’s then I notice the photographer tiptoeing in behind us.
The judge reads the usual vows, though he veers sometimes into a modern version that I appreciate.
When Lauralee and I are facing each other, I slip the rings on her finger, which causes her to take a staggering breath. I think I did good, judging by that reaction. Still holding the rings on her finger, I say, “I choose you, Lauralee Knot. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. I do.”
Tears fill her eyes, but the smile contradicts any sadness. She even laughs to herself, which lightens the mood for all of us. Taking my hand in hers, she slides the ring I bought in platinum to match hers on my hand. Looking me in the eyes, she says, “I choose you, Baylor Greene. Today. Tomorrow. And forever. I do.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The judge grins. “Go on and kiss her. Let’s make this official.”
I caress her jaw, holding this stunning human in my hands, and take a moment to look into her eyes. “I love you, Lauralee. With all my heart.” The words feel natural, like they’ve been on the tip of my tongue waiting for this moment.
“I love you, too, Baylor. So much.”
And when I kiss my wife, my heart confirms that when I said forever, I meant it.
CHAPTER 26
Lauralee
Cloud nine exists on the steps of the courthouse in New York City. It must be because I’m floating on air with him. “My handsome husband.” Romantic. Charming. Sweep-me-off-my-feet husband. He lifts me from my feet, twirling me around for everyone to see. I throw my arms wide, soaking this in, and kiss him.
Life is a dream with Baylor.
I’m set down, but he still holds me close and whispers against the corner of my mouth, “My gorgeous bride, I’m so in love with you.” Dipping me in the middle of the steps, he kisses me again.
With my hair hanging down and my weight secured in his arms, I reply, “You sure know how to make a girl feel special.”
“That’s how you make me feel.”
I’m not sure how to handle all this romance. Every word he says is more swoony than the last. “How will I ever return to our normal every day when you’re spoiling me like this. I’m going to be rotten to the core after all this sweetness.”
He chuckles as a section of his hair falls over his forehead. I like his hair ruffled. I like a little stubble coating his jaw and when his shirts have a few wrinkles. It’s life taking hold. But I won’t complain about how he looks today. My jaw dropped wide open when the car came around the corner and I saw him standing there, waiting for me. Looking that good should be a crime, and I’m just the gal to take him into custody. But do I deserve all this like it’s a real wedding?
I imagined something low-key. We’d just go to the courthouse and get this taken care of. Instead, I have a cushion-cut diamond the size of a small blueberry on my finger and a band wrapped in platinum with diamonds all the way around. I think my car cost less. Actually, I know it did. I’ve never seen something this expensive, much less worn it on my finger.
I’m just a country girl who grew up with a single mom barely making ends meet. Baylor has handed me the keys to his kingdom, making me feel like a princess.
When I’m righted, I spot a photographer taking our picture like we’re celebrities. “Someone’s taking photos of us.”
He looks back over his shoulder and then at me again. “It’s the photographer I hired to capture our special day.” My mouth opens and closes again, my thoughts jumbling from one surprise to the next. When I glance at the photographer again, he waves at me. I wave back before returning my gaze to Baylor, who says, “You only get married once.”
The photographer is forgotten as my mind stumbles through the “only get married once” response. Maybe it was a slip of the tongue, but I find myself holding on to it like a life preserver. Otherwise, I’ll start to question what we’re doing. And that’s the last thing I want to do when I’ve not felt this happy in forever.