Page 43 of Tack’s Bounty

“Nothing’s wrong, but I need your help,” Tack disclosed.

“Okay. How about you tell me what you need,” Sophia urged.

“I know it’s months until the baby is here, but I need to know you and the baby are mine—and that you’re taken care of if something happens. I want to marry you as soon as possible, but I don’t know what kind of wedding you want," he prodded.

Sophia leaned toward him, taking his hand. “I want you in jeans and your cut, okay, wait a minute. Cut or SWAT uniform,” she mused, moving her head side to side, staring at the ceiling. “Cut, definitely. I want it to be casual. Our friends and family can wear jeans, dresses—whatever they want. I want it either at the farm underneath one of the big trees or here at the compound. I want the ceremony to be short because I want us to have a big party where our friends, family, and co-workers can relax and let loose. For my wedding present, I want what you’ve promised but haven’t been able to deliver on—having your way with me on your bike,” Sophia declared, winking at him. Laughter from their friends had Tack pulling his woman in close for a hug.

“I promise I will make that happen. How soon could we do this?” Tack questioned.

“I’d say we could pull it together by September 26th, a little less than two weeks if you wanted people to have time to request off work if needed,” Ruthy suggested.

“Sophia, September 26th work for you?” he asked.

“Yes, let’s start planning now. I’ll text Lake and Freedom to head over to help too,” Sophia proposed, turning toward Ruthy and motioning Adley, Charlie and Ariel over.

Tack grinned at the two most important women in his life getting along. Although his mom couldn’t replace Sophia’s mom, she’d be the best mother-in-law that Sophia could ask for. Seeing Ariel, Charlie, and Adley welcoming his soon-to-be-wife gave Tack the peace he’d been missing before falling for Sophia.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Sophia stood at the left side of the flower arch, which was situated in front of the barn in the backyard of the farmhouse. Tack was directly across from her, about forty feet away.

The breeze blew the ribbons that wrapped around the flower arch Ruthy had made for the ceremony. Tack was scrumptious in his jeans, motorcycle boots, cut, and a pale-yellow T-shirt that matched her cat overalls with her yellow T-shirt. Her hair was up in a bun adorned with flowers that Ruthy had helped her with. Her bouquet was daisies and sunflowers with a ceramic squirrel that Tack had asked his mom to include as one of his wedding presents.

She loved the little squirrel for her desk, but his signature with a heart on the bottom of it would be a daily reminder of his love while she was working. She was waiting for the song he’d picked for them to walk into. He told her as soon as she heard it that she’d know it was time to walk. Shield played the guitar and had offered to play and sing for the wedding. He’d informed her last night that he asked the club to assign him to dog training. He was going to take the courses to learn and spend some time with some trainers. She was thrilled.

She giggled at the chords Shield played of I’m Yours and then walked forward as he sang. She sniffed but reminded herself that although her mom and dad weren’t here, they’d met her soon-to-be husband and she was sure her dad and mom had liked Tack.

As she met Tack, Freedom took her bouquet to hold. Tack reached up to take her cat glasses off and gave her the same cat glasses with rhinestones attached to make it all sparkly. A minister that Ruthy knew stepped forward. Sophia knew she responded to the words in all the right places, but she was swept up in Tack’s eyes glinting at her and the grin on his face promising her a lifetime of love.

When it was time for the rings, he nodded toward the back. Lake was leading Pudding with a pillow hanging from his neck with their rings attached.

Tack waited while Lake unhooked the pillow and handed it to him before he moved his hand from guarding his crotch.

“With this ring, I promise I will always love you whether it’s during sad times, happy times, or all the times in between. I will protect you but stand by your side when you want to fight your own battles. But most of all, I will be thankful for the crazy lady who called in a squirrel abduction because it was the first day I met you,” Tack vowed, slipping her ring on her finger.

Sophia swallowed, trying to clear her throat to talk around the fullness. “With this ring, I wed you, my love. I promise I will send you out the door to protect others as you protected me, and I will stand guard waiting for your safe return. I will love and put you and our children first. I will be forever grateful for the day you came into my life,” Sophia confessed, slipping the ring on his finger.

“Ryder “Tack” Lawson, you may kiss your wife, Sophia Lawson,” the minister proclaimed.

Sophia grinned at Tack’s waggling eyebrows as he wrapped her in his arms and bent her backward, claiming her mouth. Tack didn’t quickly peck her mouth. His full lips nibbled hers until she opened and he knocked every thought out of her head. When he finally pulled away, he had to steady her as she caught her balance.

“Love you, Sophia,” he whispered.

“Love you too,” she replied, grinning at their yelling and clapping from their wedding guests.

Tack chuckled, watching the ladies, including his mother, dancing to Girls Just Want To Have Fun underneath the lights they’d strung through the trees.

“They’re amazing,” Shield noted.

“They are. Thanks for helping them. I know my mom doesn’t give you much of a choice,” Tack conceded.

“She doesn’t, but I want her safe. She makes me remember my great-aunt, who took me in after my parents kicked me out. She’s strong with a core of steel, but she always showers her love on those she considers family. I’m lucky to be a part of that,” Shield choked out.

Tack laid his hand on Shield’s shoulder. He’d liked Shield from the first, but it had grown deeper watching Shield treat his now-wife like a sister.

“We’re lucky to have you. Now, I’m going to try to pry my wife away because if I don’t give her the wedding present she mentioned in front of everyone, I’ll never hear the end of it,” Tack declared.

Shield nodded. “If she doesn’t, her friends will. The garage is set up exactly as you asked.”