Chapter 10 #3
When we park in front of the courthouse, I get my first look at Maple Creek.
It’s as picture-perfect as Abbie described.
Her store should be just down the street.
I wonder whether we’ll have time to stop by and see her before we go home after the wedding.
I’m about to ask when I realize I’ll be with Aaron on the way back and I can ask him.
My heart is beating so hard that by the time Andrew helps me out of the truck, I’m worried I’m going to pass out before I get through this. Pre-wedding jitters have nothing on instantaneous-wedding jitters. Cazzo.
“Do you want to do this?” Jac asks as she stops me from going through the courthouse doors.
I don’t even hesitate when I answer, “Yes, I love him. I shouldn’t, but I do.”
“Then let’s do this. We all have your back; nothing bad will happen.” She hugs me close, then stays by my side as Andrew holds the door for us.
“Hey there. I didn’t think I’d be seeing you again, and definitely not here,” Abbie says from the lobby of the courthouse.
“What? Wow. Hi. Yeah, I’m a little surprised,” I answer, stopping in front of her.
She’s laughing as she looks at Andrew. “You Gallants don’t waste any time, do you?”
“Not if we can help it. How are you, Abbie? How’s the family?”
“They’re great. Well, my brothers are…” then she looks at me and smiles, “Jerk-burgers, but other than that it’s all good.”
“I’m glad I got to see you. I was hoping to stop by the store. But I guess I’ll be around now anyway,” I say.
“Looks like it. That’s why I’m here. Aaron stopped by the store to get some flowers for you and asked if I could keep watch for some ‘seriously annoying men’ who followed you here.” Abbie winks, and I snicker. I told her all about my brothers on our ride from Asheville.
After exchanging a quick hug, she hands me a bouquet of wildflowers. They’re perfect. “Thank you!”
“See you later, Future Mrs. Gallant.” I don’t know her well, but I bet we’ll be friends. She’s so much like Jac.
Andrew stops at the judge’s chambers and turns toward me. “Ready, Cheri? If you don’t want to do this, no one will make you. Aaron won’t be happy, but he’ll deal with it, or I’ll make him.”
“It’s okay. I’m ready; I want to marry Aaron.” All the nerves I fought with on the ride here evaporate when Andrew opens the door, and I see Aaron standing with the man I assume is the judge.
Aaron looks so handsome in his navy-blue bespoke suit.
Underneath is a white shirt and a pale blue tie that matches my dress almost exactly.
My vision goes fuzzy as I make my way toward the man who was a stranger yesterday and is about to become my forever.
I search inside my heart for hesitation, but there’s none.
I want this. I want him. And more than anything, I want to have a happily ever after with him.
After brief introductions and some teasing by Judge Henderson, we’re married.
Do I remember the ceremony? Not a chance.
The entire time I focused on Aaron, who smiled when he had to prod me to repeat my vows.
Now we’re married. Where he got the ring from, I have no idea.
A simple gold band adorns my left ring finger; it’s perfect.
I never wanted a huge, elaborate wedding.
This is much more my style. Jaclyn videoed the entire ceremony, so I’ll have it forever.
I can share it with his brothers and my family if they want to see it.
Aaron wraps his arm around my waist as soon as the ceremony is over and pulls me in for a kiss.
Only the teasing by his brother makes him pull away.
“I love you, Mrs. Gallant, my precious Little princess.” His eyes shine with love and devotion, and I blink back tears.
I never thought I’d find happiness and love.
“I love you, too, Mr. Gallant and Daddy.” I whisper the last part. It’s going to take some time to say it in front of others without being embarrassed.
“You’ll get used to it,” he says.
“Merda. Did I say that out loud?” Yup, I’m sure my cheeks are flaming red—again.
“You did, and it’s adorable. I cherish all your words, baby. Forever, remember?”
With a huge smile on my face, I nod. “Forever.”
Aaron’s about to kiss me again when I see Abbie behind his shoulder.
“What’s up?”
She looks uncomfortable, and I’m instantly on edge when Aaron turns around to talk to her.
“I just wanted to let you know your brothers figured it out. They tried to get in, but I told them you’d already left.
Good thing they don’t know what your trucks look like.
You weren’t kidding when you said they were jerks, especially that Dante.
He demanded I call him if I see you. He even gave me a business card. As if,” she shares.
“Oh no. He wasn’t mean, was he? Dante can be a lot; actually all of them can be. Matteo is the only sweetheart, and that’s only sometimes.” It’s not until Aaron squeezes my hand that I realize I have his in a death grip.
“Did they head back to our place?” Aaron asks, not looking at all concerned.
“Nope, they had to get back home. But I get the feeling they’ll be back.” Abbie laughs. “It was fun to piss them off, though. You’d have loved it,” she says, still grinning.
“Thanks, Abbie,” Aaron says, and after she walks away, he pulls open the passenger door of his truck and lifts me inside.
“I can do it,” I object. It was one thing to carry me around in the dark last night, but I’m more than capable of getting into a truck.
“I know, but I wanted to. Keeping my hands off you is going to be a problem, Little princess. I’ve already told my brothers we’ll be missing in action for a few days.
By the time I let you out of bed, you won’t be walking straight, Little girl.
But first we have a punishment to take care of when we get home.
” His smirk and pat to the side of my thigh make my panties wet.
There’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll do exactly as he says, and I can’t wait. Who knew that coming to Gallant Mountain would make all my dreams come true.
The end