Page 68 of Irresistibly Wicked

She grabbed her phone, feeling awful that he was going to miss the wedding, and thumbed out a text.

Hey, thank you again for being willing to show up for me tomorrow at the courthouse. That means the world to me, but it turns out we won’t be having a courthouse wedding after all. Zander’s family surprised us with a backyard wedding tonight, so I don’t need a witness anymore, but I wish you were here. I know you wanted to walk me down the aisle, and that means more to me than you can possibly know, but the wedding is happening now. I’m sorry.

As she sent it off, a soft knock sounded at the bathroom door. “Sweetheart?” Reba said. “Do you need any help?”

“No, thank you. I’m coming.” Shauna slipped her phone into the pocket of her jumpsuit and took one last look in the mirror and a deep, calming breath. As she opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom, she had the strange sense that she was walking toward something more real than anything she’d ever known.

Reba gasped, her hand flying up to cover her heart. “Shauna, honey, you are absolutely breathtaking.”

Shauna felt a blush rushing up her chest to her cheeks as the girls gathered around, raving about how pretty she looked. “You guys,” she pleaded. “I appreciate your compliments more than you can imagine, but you’re making me even more nervous.”

“It’s your wedding day. You’re supposed to be nervous.”

Goose bumps chased up her arms at the familiar deep voice. She whipped her head to the side, and her heart leapt. Cap stood before her, wearing slacks and a crisp white dress shirt and that comforting smile she knew so well. She blinked several times, her emotions sneaking up on her. “Cap? What are you doing here?”

“I got a call from Preacher after you and I talked yesterday. He wanted to see what kind of gal his son was marrying.”

“I guess you lied well, huh?” she teased.

“You know it,” he said warmly. “You clean up nice, Flores.”

“Thank you. So do you. I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too,” he said. “Are you ready?”

“Wait!” Madigan exclaimed. “She needs the bridal things. Something old?”

“She’s got me,” Cap said, holding out his arm.

As Shauna took it, Madigan said, “Something new?”

“My ring!” Shauna held up her left hand.

“Damn,” Cap said. “You’re sure Zander knows this is temporary?”

“Yes. He said he has a reputation to uphold,” Shauna said.

“Oh, Zander,” Reba said with a shake of her head, and the girls laughed.

“Shauna needs something borrowed and something blue,” Madigan said, looking around.

“I’ve got her covered. She can borrow my necklace.” As Reba took it off, she said, “It’s blue topaz, Zander’s birthstone.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Shauna asked.

“Honey, you’re marrying my son. You’re one of us now. What’s mine is yours.” As Reba put the necklace on her, she said, “Except Preacher. He’s all mine.”

“Except when he’s a pain,” Ginger chimed in. “Then she’ll gladly kick him to the curb.”

“There is some truth to that.” Reba looked thoughtfully at Shauna and said, “Okay, honey. We’re going to get out of your hair, but we’ll be right there with you, cheering you on.”

She felt so much gratitude, she bubbled over with it. “Thank you.”

One by one they hugged her, wishing her luck as she thanked each of them. Then it was just her and Cap. She held his arm tight.

“You sure you want to do this?” he asked.

“Yes, but you could have warned me about the Wickeds.”