Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
I chuckle too because I can’t believe it took me this long either. “Yeah, she’s mine now.”
8
GABBY
As soon as Roman leaves the cabin, I’m on my phone and dialing Ivy’s number. “It’s a go. Everything came together perfectly.”
“How are you getting away from the overbearing mountain man?” She sighs dramatically, as if I’m being held prisoner and not voluntarily staying with a man who believes in giving me endless orgasms.
“I’ll explain on the way, just get here. We’re meeting at the wedding lodge this afternoon.” I called Ivy earlier this morning to set up this special errand. We have to get to the city as soon as possible.
“So, tell me. What finally pried him away from you?” Ivy asks as she pulls her little red car onto the interstate.
I hesitate. I don’t want to tell her that Hale had an emergency because I know how I would feel if someone told me that Roman had an emergency. He’s the other half of my heart, and I would hate not being able to go to him. “Hale needed a ride.”
Ivy frowns. “Why?”
“I don’t know the details,” I tell her honestly. Roman didn’t ask on the phone, and even if I did know them, it wouldn’t be my place to share.
“I was kind of hoping he’d be at the wedding,” Ivy mumbles then she brightens. “Well, at least, we can get this done without the boys knowing.”
“Did you call the store for me?” I sent her all of the information on the phone. I didn’t want Roman to wake up and overhear me talking about this.
“I did. They have one in stock. The manager is holding it for us,” she reassures me. She’s my maid of honor, and the moment I called her to tell her this morning, she’s been nothing but supportive and happy for me.
I grin at my bestie. I can’t wait to give my groom his wedding surprise.
“Wow,” Ivy says as she pulls her truck up to the mountain lodge several hours later. We both suck in a breath at the beautiful sight.
The rustic lodge is built from a mixture of river rock and wood, standing proudly in the middle of a clearing. The late summer weather means the grass is green and lush. The surrounding trees are vibrant, filled with the sound of singing birds. Combined with the blue sky above, the place feels like something out of a fairytale. Only this one is real.
“If you don’t marry him, I will,” Ivy jokes.
I chuckle and look around for his vehicle. It’s not here yet. As if she’s reading my mind, Ivy leans over and clutches my hand. She gives it a soft squeeze.
“This is crazy, isn’t it?” I ask her. Sure, I’ve pined and longed for Roman for six months. But we got together a few days ago. Yet somehow, it feels like my heart and my soul aren’t the same, like they’ve grown bigger to make room for Roman.
“Love doesn’t always make sense. It doesn’t follow anyone else’s timetable. Trust your heart. What’s it telling you?” Ivy encourages.
“It’s telling me that Roman is my home.”
She gives me a grin. “Then let’s go get you married to a mountain man.”
Inside the lodge, we’re greeted by Piper. She’s one of the owners of the Forever After Lodge here in Sweetheart, North Carolina. Even though he isn’t here yet, Roman must have called ahead.
Piper has a baby on her hip, and she gestures us back to the bridal suite area. There are three big rooms filled with wedding dresses in every style I could imagine. Piper quickly reassures me that they stock a variety of sizes. She’s curvy like me, so she understands the struggle of finding clothes that fit.
I try on four different dresses before I slip into the one that makes me feel like a queen.
“The beautiful ruffles, the flowing train, all of it reminds me of what my mom wore to her wedding,” I tell Ivy as we stand in front of the mirrors.
She puts her head on my shoulder. “I wish she were here for you.”
“Me, too,” I whisper as we stand together for a moment. It’s bittersweet to be here today. My parents should be here. Even my brother should be. I left a message on his phone this morning, telling him that I would be out of town for a few days. I didn’t tell him I was getting married. I don’t want him to ruin this magical day.
Piper comes in, having finished feeding her son. She surveys my outfit, walking a circle around me as she does.
“I think this is the one,” I tell her.
She gives me an enthusiastic thumbs-up and gestures for two other women to come forward. They quickly start taking measurements of my body.
I glance toward Piper. “Are you sure this will be ready for our sunset service?”