The Best Man's Bride (17 page)

He flipped open the velvet lid, and she gasped. He glanced toward the ring he’d chosen. “You don’t like it. It’s too big? Too gaudy? I should have had you pick it out.”

He’d been so determined to live out his life as a single, he would have to work on how to behave as a couple. Colleen wouldn’t be just his wife, she’d be his partner, his best friend. Somehow, he thought Josh would understand being replaced—in fact, he’d probably be overjoyed.

Colleen held out her slightly trembling hand. “Try it on me.”

He slid the platinum band onto her long, slender finger. “It fits perfectly. But the stone looks even bigger on your hand.” But he’d wanted to do it right, to impress her so much that she wouldn’t be able to turn down his proposal or his love, and so he’d picked out the biggest diamond in the store. A square-cut three-carat rock. “Everyone’s going to notice that.”

A smile of satisfaction spread across her face as she nodded. “I told you I’m through with being invisible.” She whistled. “This’ll help my light shine.”

“So it’ll do?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“And me?”

Her smile widened as she turned her attention from the ring to him. She rubbed her breasts against his chest, then glided his erection inside her wet heat. A breath shuddered out of her parted lips as he lifted his hips, moving deep inside her.

“You’ll do.”

“We’re supposed to carry the rings,” TJ argued with the best man, his father, as Josh slid the wedding band into his pocket.

“Colleen will kill us if we lose her ring,” Nick said, staving off the twins’ argument.

TJ gave a solemn nod. Buzz could barely move after their last turn on the merry-go-round. He lagged behind as they walked toward where the minister stood next to the properly mended statue of Colonel Clover. Thanks to Nick’s dad’s expertise, the colonel looked better than he probably originally had.

“Colleen does know how to slay dragons,” TJ said, his blue eyes wide with awe.

Nick remembered the book she’d read them in this very park, the one about the princess who’d slayed her own dragons. Like Colleen had. She felt no more guilt over her youthful mistake. No more fear over risking her heart. She was so strong, and Nick couldn’t be prouder or more impatient to make her his wife.

Loving her had made him strong, too—strong enough to forgive himself his past and to risk his future and his heart with her. But loving Colleen wasn’t a risk. It was the smartest thing he’d ever done. He waved at the boys as his dad took their hands and led them toward the tent behind the chairs, where his bride and the rest of the wedding party were getting ready to walk down the aisle. He had no fear of Colleen leaving him at the altar; he had no doubt that she loved him as much as he loved her.

Endlessly.

Moments later, Mrs. Hild began the wedding march on the organ borrowed from the church. Colleen tightened her grasp on her older brother’s arm as he led her across the grass, following the trail of white rose petals her flower girl, Lara McClintock, had dropped as she’d walked down the aisle between Buzz and TJ. Clayton had adopted Abby’s daughter, making her his own in every way that mattered. Colleen blinked back tears over her brother’s complete happiness. Her mother and Molly had been right to meddle. Clayton and Abby and Lara belonged together. Forever.

Just like Colleen and Nick.

Clayton escorted her to where her groom waited for her, in the shadow of Colonel Clover, who presided proudly over the park and her wedding. “Nervous?” her older brother asked, his voice a whisper.

She should have been, as everyone had risen from their chairs to turn and stare at her. But she lifted her chin, taking their interest as a compliment. She knew she looked beautiful today. Her bridesmaids had seen to it, weaving red carnations and white lilies into her hair. She hadn’t had the heart to tell them how quickly Nick would mess up their handiwork.

Just like she’d messed up his life—for the better. She’d never seen him so happy, his handsome face creased with a wide grin, the lone dimple denting his cheek, as she and Clayton approached.

Her brother lifted her veil and kissed her cheek before shaking Nick’s hand. But he didn’t immediately take his seat beside their mother and her new husband, Wallace Schipper. Instead, he patted the protruding belly of the matron of honor, his wife, Abby, who would soon have their child. Beside her stood Colleen’s other attendants. Brenna and Molly, looking gorgeous in matching sundresses, the same shade of blue as the cloudless sky.

Abby smiled, her face aglow with happiness, as she took the bride’s bouquet. Then Colleen turned toward her groom. Nick clasped her hands in his, holding them tight as if he wanted to make sure she never ran away from him.

“I love you,” she assured him. “I’m going to love you forever. I think I already have.”

“And I love you, Colleen,” he vowed. “You’re my heart, my life, my whole world.”

While she knew that would have scared him before, now she saw no fear in his gleaming eyes—only love. Endless love.