Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“Hi,” she breathes when she’s standing before me.
“Hello, love. Ya look beautiful,” I reply and wink at her.
“Um, where did all your family come from?”
“Ya know better than I. I guess Ma couldn’t help herself.”
She takes a deep, nervous breath. “Okay, well, Mr. McGowan. I think we’d better go on and get married before I run off on you or you change your mind.”
I place my hands on her waist and flex my fingers against the soft fabric of her dress. She looks up into my eyes and searches my gaze. It is then that I notice the small, clear gems in the corners of her eyes and in her lashes.
“Ya do know I would follow ya to the ends of the earth and all throughout hell if I had to. Lorg a h-uile duine leatha agus cùm i leat leat fhèin,” I say.
“But am I worthy?”
“Aye, you are. I am the one who doesn’t deserve this second chance.”
She knits her brows and begins to search my eyes for answers. I turn and nod for the officiant to start. The past will not live in this moment. I’m moving forward.
CHAPTER 32
Explain
Ronan
“Ye’ve been dodging me all night. I had to follow ya to the jacks to get me answers,” Cass hisses at me as I step from the bathroom.
I’m steamin’. I’ve been drinking with my da, Joe, and my brothers. Danika has been spending time with her and my ma. Cass is right, I have been keeping my distance because she hasn’t stopped glaring at me.
“I’m glad yer here. I wouldn’t have wanted this without ya,” I say.
“And yet, ye almost pulled off the whole shebang without me. What have I done to ye? Why would ye try to leave me out?”
“Because ya sound more like a Scot with each passing year,” I tease.
“Go fuck yerself.”
I tug my sister into my arms and kiss the top of her head as I squish her. “It’s nothing personal. I’m protecting my wife. I’m sorry if I hurt ya.”
“It’s because of the name ye called her, isn’t it? Ye didn’t call her Dean. Ya called her Danika.”
“Aye, yer a smart one. It’s important we all continue to call her Dean and never mention her real name to anyone. I don’t think I’m going to tell anyone I’m married for a while. Not until I get some things sorted out.”
“Fine, yer secret is safe with me. I’m happy for ya, Ro. May ya have many years of happiness together.”
“Aye, thank ya. Now come have a drink with me. Ya sound too sober.”
She laughs and elbows me in the side. “I think the lot of ye have had enough to drink for the entire family. Those not here included.”
I roar with laughter. “Aye, ya might be right.”
Dean
I’m married. Ronan and I actually got married. The only thing that could have made this night better would have been if my uncle could have been here to give me away.
I did find comfort in knowing Ronan was a friend of Uncle Freddie’s. I do believe he had been trying to guide me to him somehow. When I get home, I want to read that letter once more.
I know it’s time to revisit all my uncle had to say. The signs are all there. First, LaSalle. Then, Ronan. Things are panning out just as he said they would.
There’s one more thing that’s supposed to happen to mark when I’m needed. I’m almost afraid to celebrate this moment. I don’t know how long I’ll have it.
All day I’ve been waiting to wake up and find out that none of this has been real. It feels like I’m floating. I don’t want to take my dress off because that might be the trigger for it all to go away.
So here I stand, looking into the mirror in Ronan’s upgraded suite. As if the one he had been in wasn’t nice enough. We are now staying the next few nights in a honeymoon suite. A honeymoon. I’m on my honeymoon.
This is so surreal. I gave up on this dream so many years ago. Now look at me.
“Aye, I can’t take my eyes off ya either,” Ronan says as he walks up behind me and places his hands on my upper arms. He then dips his head to kiss my neck and inhales deeply. “Ya make the most beautiful bride in the world, ya do.”
As I soak him in, I look at us and the sight we make together. We look like two movie stars. I can’t help but be excited for the movie we’ll be making together.
“What are ya thinking about?” he moves to say in my ear.
“Our life together and what it will look like. Where will we live? Do I give up Uncle Freddie’s place to move in with you? Would you want to come live with me at the brownstone?