Chapter 26
Maggie stood in front of the full-length mirror someone had brought in that morning, staring at herself in her mother's wedding dress.
The ivory satin had yellowed slightly with age, but the alterations had been perfect.
The seamstress had taken in the waist, shortened the hem, and adjusted the lace sleeves to fit Maggie's smaller frame.
It was beautiful. A princess neckline and a ballgown skirt that made her feel like she was in a dream.
It was her mother’s dress, so that accounted for something old.
The diamond earrings Reece had given her last night sparkled in her ears.
Two carats each. Simple studs that caught the light with every movement. That was her something new.
And Faith's blue sapphire bracelet, which was draped on her wrist, provided something blue and something borrowed.
Maggie touched the bracelet gently, feeling the weight of tradition and love and family pressing against her chest.
Outside, the church organ began playing. Not the processional yet. The prelude music filled the sanctuary while guests settled into pews. She could hear the murmur of voices. Hundreds of them; the church would be packed.
She'd been afraid of spending so much money.
The invoice for the flowers alone had made her gasp.
White roses, peonies, and hydrangeas overflowed every available surface.
The food for the reception was the price of a down payment on a home, not to mention the tents erected outside the town hall to handle the overflow of guests.
Then there was the photographer and the musicians.
But Reece had kissed her forehead and told her money was no object for her special day. That she deserved everything she wanted and more.
She was still getting used to that. The reality of marrying into the King family was mind-blowing, to say the least.
A knock on the door made her turn.
Her father stepped inside and stopped just inside the doorway, hand still on the knob as he stared at her.
His eyes went bright, and his throat worked.
"Dad, don't you dare," Maggie warned.
"I'm not crying," he said, voice thick. "Your mother already cried enough for both of us."
But he was. Tears slid down his weathered cheeks despite his words.
He crossed to her slowly, like she might disappear if he moved too fast. Reaching one hand out, he touched the lace sleeve of the dress.
"You look just like your mother did," he said quietly.
"Thirty years ago. Standing in this same room.
Wearing the same dress. Looking at me like she couldn't quite believe it was happening. "
Maggie's own eyes burned. "I can't believe it's happening."
"Believe it, sweetheart." He cupped her face gently, careful not to smudge her makeup. "You're about to marry a good man. A man who loves you. Who fought for you. Who'd do anything to keep you safe."
"I know."
"And you love him, too," her father continued. "I see it. In the way you look at him. In the way you talk about him. In the way you light up when he walks into a room."
Maggie nodded, unable speak past the lump in her throat. She would look like a raccoon if she didn’t keep it under control. “Dad, you’re going to make me cry.”
He just smiled. "Your mother and I," her father said, "we're so proud of you. Of the woman you've become. Of the work you're doing. Of the choices you've made. You've always known your own mind, Maggie. Even when you were little. You saw what was right, and you did it. No matter the cost."
"Dad—" Oh, man, he was trying to make her cry, wasn’t he?
"Let me finish." He smiled through his tears.
"You've built something important. Something that matters.
And you've found someone who sees that. Who values that.
Who wants to build it with you." He paused.
"That's what marriage is, sweetheart. Building something together.
Something bigger than either of you alone. "
"I love you, Dad," Maggie whispered. He’d always been the foundation of her family and her rock.
"I love you, too." He kissed her forehead. Then stepped back and offered his arm. "Ready?"
She took a deep breath and blinked repeatedly. Was she? All the planning, all the coordination, all the checklists, and last-minute details were done. So, yes, she was ready. Ready to marry the man of her dreams. "I most certainly am."
"Good. Because that church is packed to the rafters, and if we make them wait much longer, someone's going to pass out from the heat."
Maggie laughed despite the tears threatening to ruin her mascara.
They left the pastor's office and moved to the narthex at the back of the church. Her bridesmaids were already lined up. Eight women in peach-colored off-the-shoulder dresses, each holding bouquets of white roses. Rachel King smiled at her from the front of the line. Rachel was her maid of honor. She’d interned at Darkwater while it was being rebuilt and had become like a sister to her.
Beside her stood Maggie's high school best friend, then her cousin, then five more friends who'd known her since she was born.
Through the open doors, Maggie could see the sanctuary, and it was breathtaking.
White fabric draped from the high ceilings, softening the old wooden beams, and there were flowers everywhere.
Massive arrangements flanked the altar. Smaller bouquets were tied to the end of each pew with white ribbon.
White candles flickered in tall stands, creating warm pools of light against the dark wood behind the Dais.
And there were so many people. So many people.
The right side of the church was packed with familiar faces.
Her neighbors. Her parents' friends. People from the co-op, the plant, and the local businesses.
Her extended family filled three rows. Everyone she'd grown up with, everyone who'd known her since she was a little girl in pigtails, filled the rest of the pews on that side.
The left side held Reece's world. Jason and Faith were in the front row, Jason's cane resting beside him. Next to them were Reece’s grandparents, who she’d met last night at the reception dinner and fallen in love with immediately.
Behind them were Jacob, Jewell, and Jared and their families.
Other Kings she hadn’t met yet filled the pews, along with Guardian personnel she’d met and some she hadn’t.
Some were tactical operators who'd fought beside Reece.
The people who'd helped take down Darkwater.
The organ music shifted and changed as the processional began.
"Here we go," her father murmured.
The bridesmaids started walking. One by one. Slow and measured. Each one disappearing through those open doors into the sanctuary beyond.
Then Rachel, her maid of honor, moved with quiet grace down the aisle.
Then it was just Maggie and her father. The organ swelled into the bridal march.
Everyone stood, and Maggie's breath caught as she rounded the corner and took her place at the open doorway. At the far end of that long aisle, Reece stood waiting. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, white shirt, and black tie. His groomsmen flanked him. Eight men in matching tuxedos. His brothers Royce and Rogan. His cousins. And at his right hand, his best man, Talon, his cousin and best friend. She’d met him and his wife, Riley, last night.
She and Riley had clicked instantly and had a wonderful time getting to know each other.
But now, Maggie only saw Reece.
His eyes locked on hers. His expression shifted from composed to the love she felt every day in the space of a heartbeat.
"Let's go," her father said gently.
They walked measured steps down the aisle while every person in that church watched. Her dad whispered, “I hope I don’t trip.”
She laughed, which she was sure was his intent.
Maggie saw faces she knew. Mrs. Henderson, who'd taught her third-grade Sunday school.
Mr. Palmer from the hardware store. The entire extended Brooks family was scattered through multiple pews.
Tyler, Mason, and Caleb were standing with their mom and grinning at her.
She saw Jason King's proud smile. Faith wiping tears from her eyes. Jacob's approving nod and Jewell's warm expression.
Standing next to Reece’s brothers, she saw the man Reece introduced as Elliot Sawyer last night.
He was older, but a member of the family because of how much time he’d spent with Reece’s family.
There was a long story there that he’d promised to share, and someday, she’d hear it.
She also saw Deacon, Ace, Bandit, and Rip standing tall in their tuxes, watching their friend get married.
But mostly, she saw Reece, who was getting closer with each step. He was waiting for her at the altar with the pastor beside him and eight groomsmen flanking him and love written across his face so clearly that anyone could read it.
They reached the front.
Her father stopped. Lifted her veil carefully. Kissed her cheek. Oh, man, she was going to cry. She blinked hard to stop the tears from falling.
Then he took her hand and placed it in Reece's. That act almost broke her resolve not to cry.
"Take care of her," Richard said quietly. Loud enough for the front rows to hear.
"Always," Reece promised.
Her father stepped back and took his seat beside her Mom, who was already crying into a handkerchief.
The pastor smiled. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today …"
* * *
Reece couldn't stop looking at her.
Maggie stood beside him in her mother's wedding dress, holding a bouquet of white roses, and he couldn't breathe properly. Beautiful. That was the only word his brain could form. She was beautiful.
The pastor was speaking. Words about marriage, commitment, and God's blessing. They’d chosen traditional vows. The same words spoken in this church for generations.