Chapter 11
eleven
Andrew
“If you wear a hole in the floor, Judge Henderson is going to make us pay for a new building,” Aaron remarks from in front of me, putting an end to my pacing.
“Fine. Just remember this when it’s your turn,” I mutter, and walk to the other side of the lobby to check whether my other brothers have arrived with Jaclyn yet.
“Don’t hold your breath. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I fall for a woman. Deana was more than enough in college. I can’t believe I almost fell for her shitshow.” Aaron sighs. “Tell that shit to Adrian, he’ll be next. Mark my words.”
I smirk. Speak of the devil. Adrian steps out of the judge’s chambers; he went inside when we arrived to make sure the marriage license was in order and that we weren’t missing anything.
We weren’t leaving anything to chance. I wouldn’t allow anything to fuck this up, especially not a problem with the official records.
I’m marrying Jaclyn because I’m in love with her, but I’d do it anyway to ensure the shit Mercier started wouldn’t touch her.
“We’re good. Did I hear my name?” he asks.
“Yeah, Aaron thinks you’re next.” The look on his face is priceless.
But two days ago, I would have worn the same expression.
Then, Jaclyn Tanner walked into my life and, like a whirlwind, turned my world upside down.
Do I regret it? Not in the slightest. I’m convinced fate brought us together, and I won’t allow anything to interfere.
“Not only no, but hell no. Who shit in your cereal this morning that you’re jinxing me?” Adrian says.
Aaron holds up his hands in surrender. “Hey, it sure as fuck won’t be me. If I’m honest, I can’t believe you’re doing this, Andrew. It came out of left field for sure.”
“Yeah, well, neither did I. When I invited her here, this is the last thing I expected.”
Adrian snorts. “Especially since you thought she was a he.”
Even I chuckle at that. Not checking her HR file before I flew her here was a moronic move on my part. It was the easiest thing to do, and I ignored it in favor of chasing down the contract negotiators. This could have been a total disaster.
“Are you sure, bro? I know Adam married Rebekah the same day, but they knew each other; same with Aaric. But this girl…”
“Stop right there,” I growl and level a stare at both of my brothers.
“Jaclyn will be my wife in about ten minutes if our missing brothers ever fucking get here. She will be your family—sister—from that moment on. I don’t care what the circumstances were that brought her here; she fills a piece of my heart, my soul, one I didn’t know was missing.
When you meet the right woman, you’ll get it. ”
My gaze passes between them, making sure they understand that no one, not even my brothers, will ever speak against my wife.
Then I hear Adam’s truck pull up outside.
Even though I shouldn’t be looking, I can’t resist making sure she’s in the truck.
When I see the tip of her dark brown hair, the fear riding me hard for the last half hour dissipates.
Jaclyn didn’t disappear. She’s here and giving us the chance I begged her for, even though she’s scared of what will happen next. I’ll prove to her she doesn’t have to worry: I’ve got her and will make sure she’s safe no matter what.
“You’d better get inside with Judge Henderson,” Aaron says as we hear the truck doors slam and my brothers’ voices.
“Do you have the bands?” I ask Aaron.
“Right here.” He pats his breast pocket. “You’re lucky the jeweler had a size thirteen band in stock. He said he’d just gotten them in last week.”
Smiling at his words, I knock on the judge’s door. When he responds, I walk inside. I can’t wait to make Jaclyn mine in every way possible. My only regret is that we’re rushing this wedding and her friend, Cheri, can’t be here. I’ll make it up to her somehow.
Judge Henderson meets me halfway across his office, and we shake hands. He’s been around forever, and even knew our parents.
“You guys are dropping like flies. Is there something in the water on that mountain?”
“I’m sure it seems like it. But nope, the water is crystal clear and better than ever. I guess we’re finally finding the women of our dreams,” I respond, knowing my words are one hundred percent truthful.
“So, where’s the blushing bride? She’s not from around here, is she?” he asks.
“They pulled up before I stepped in here. And no, she’s from California.”
He doesn’t seem surprised, but he’s always been good at hiding his emotions.
Dad used to hate playing poker with him.
The man never gives away anything he doesn’t want to.
“Your parents would be proud of all you boys. Your dad and I used to talk frequently, even when I fleeced him at poker,” he says with a smirk.
“He might have mentioned that a time or two.” I chuckle.
Dad hated losing, but it didn’t stop him from playing the semi-weekly game.
When we were home from college, we used to sit in sometimes.
But mostly it was just Dad, Judge Henderson, Sheriff Sherman, and Harvey Olsen, the judge’s secretary’s husband.
“How is Mrs. Olsen doing? I was surprised she wasn’t at her desk when we came in. She’s a permanent fixture in the office.”
“Yeah, she’s fine. Harvey had surgery last week, and she’s at home taking care of him. She’s missed for sure, but luckily, it’s been quiet. My wife has been coming in for a few hours a day to help out, too.”
Grinning, I shrug. “Someone’s got to make sure you earn the exorbitant salary the county pays you.”
“Right, right.” He’s laughing with me when Adam opens the door enough to stick his head in.
Adam tips his chin toward me. “You ready to get hitched? Your future wife is a bit nervous.”
The need to go to her, to soothe her panic, is riding me hard, but I can’t. I promised I’d wait to see her in the dress until she got here.
“I’m ready if you are, Andrew.” Judge Henderson nods, then leans over his desk to grab some papers.
“We’re ready, Adam.” I can’t wait to slide my ring on Jaclyn’s finger, proving I’m hers, no matter what.
A thought pops into my head, and I barely hold back my snort.
After we get this fiasco with JNG taken care of, I’ll take her to get a tattoo on her ring finger and mine—that should put to bed any doubts about my promise of forever.
The door opens again, and every thought evaporates as my woman steps into the room.
Jaclyn looks nothing like she did when I left her with my sisters-in-law after lunch.
Wearing a dress of pale blue silk, it’s cut low in front, revealing the top of her luscious breasts, then it continues to hug her curvy body and lands just above her knees.
Her legs are bare, tanned, and I lick my lips as I think about sliding my hand along all that smooth skin to the dampness waiting for me. And of course, she’s wearing her fuck-me heels.
Gazing at this gorgeous woman takes my breath away, and my cock, already half-hard, throbs painfully against the zipper of my black suit slacks. Thank God I still have my jacket buttoned.
I knew the girls would help to make her feel special today, but they went above and beyond.
They braided Jaclyn’s hair with flowers and twisted it into a bun, allowing sexy wisps to tease her cheeks.
They even created a bouquet using wildflowers planted on the mountain.
The pale pink and white flowers are wrapped in a blue silk ribbon, matching her dress.
Breathtaking. I can’t believe she’s agreed to be mine.
“She’s beautiful, Andrew. I wish you all the best. I’m sure your parents are smiling down on you,” Judge Henderson says low enough that only I will hear.
“Thank you.” My answer is barely audible. I can’t pull my gaze away from the vision walking toward us. When her gaze meets mine, my heart stutters. This is what forever feels like.
As she makes her way across the room to join me in front of the judge’s desk, her smile never wavers. There’s no doubt on her face, no tension in her shoulders. All the uncertainty from earlier has disappeared. My girl. The closer she gets, the more everything settles within me.
“You’re stunning, Sweetpea.” Unable to resist a moment longer, I lean down and rub my lips gently across hers. It’s such a brief taste, but it’ll have to be enough for now.
“It’s not time for that yet, Andrew.” Judge Henderson chuckles.
Jaclyn giggles nervously as I clasp her trembling hands in mine. “You clean up nice, too,” she whispers, and I hear the judge’s hum of approval.
“If there are no objections, let’s get these two married,” he says, opening the folder in his hands.
Our gazes lock on each other as the judge speaks. The vows barely register until she says without hesitation, “I do.” I echo Jaclyn’s words, promising her all that I am.
“Which of you boys has the rings?” the judge asks.
“I do.” Aaron steps over and hands them to me.
Jaclyn’s surprised gasp brings a smile to my lips.
I owe Aaron big time for running into the city to pick up a few things, including these bands.
Whatever he asks for will be worth it. Her eyes fill with tears as I slide the simple gold band onto her finger, perfectly complementing the diamond I put there earlier.
For the first time in my life, I no longer feel like there’s something missing—she makes me whole.
Still, I surprise myself when my eyes get misty as she glides the gold band onto my finger.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” Judge Henderson says as he ends the brief ceremony.
“I love you, baby,” I murmur, then pull her into my arms and kiss my wife, my world, my life.
“Let her breathe, bro,” Adrian snarks.
He’s right, there are way too many people here.
“Thank you, Judge,” I say, then turn to my wife. My wife!