Page 148 of Burning Skies
I chuckle at the perplexed expression on Jace’s face. “You didn’t look this confused when Rhett married Paige.”
“Because that was supposed to be pretend. Rhett was trying to save the ranch. I understood their relationship. Well, until it became a real marriage. But I love Paige, so I don’t have any complaints. Baylee’s awesome too.” He tugs at his collar. “I don’t know. Serious commitments make me itchy.”
I slap his hand away and redo his bow tie. “Good thing you’re free as a bird.”
“Tweet, tweet.”
We laugh as Rhett sticks his head in the door. “Y’all ready? It’s time.” He’s decked out in a tux too.
“Fuck, yes. Let’s do this.” Maverick grins like the lovesick fool he is.
I know the feeling.
I join my brothers at the front of the church. It’s still a little trippy to see Isaiah after all these years, but it’s good to have him home. Maybe he’ll be here to stay.
Maverick is the picture of confidence as he stares at the back of the church and waits for Baylee. I’m sure the bridesmaids all look beautiful, but I only seem to see Honey as she heads toward me. Rhett elbows me. “Guess you’re next.”
“If I’m lucky.”
Little Leo ambles down the aisle flanked by Austin and Gabe. Behind them are two of Baylee’s nephews. When they reach us, Mav high-fives the boys, picks up Leo, kisses his chubby cheek, and hands him to Rhett.
Two flower girls escort Ella as she tosses rose petals like she’s throwing out candy. Then she pauses to ask one of the guests if she wants some flowers. It’s hysterical. When she makes it to the front, Paige picks up her daughter and whispers, “Good job, darling.”
When Baylee approaches the church doors, everyone stands. She looks like she stepped out of one of Ella’s fairy tales in a strapless embroidered ball gown with a full skirt. Her long, brown hair is pinned up.
I lean over to nudge Mav. “You did good, bro.”
He stands there, all puffed out like a happy rooster. Baylee is escorted down the aisle by her mom, and when she reaches Mav, he immediately leans down to kiss her.
The minister clears his throat. “We’re not there yet, son.”
Everyone chuckles.
I try to pay attention to the ceremony, but my attention keeps straying to Honey, who looks drop-dead gorgeous in a fitted, pale green cocktail dress. She told me it’s made of chiffon. All Iknow is it flows over her legs like her flouncy skirts. Her hair is pulled up into an intricate knot, and the gold earrings I gave her as an early Christmas gift dangle off her ears.
I can’t wait to kiss that spot on her neck.
Or tell her my news.
HONEY
My heart is full of love. For my friends. For my boyfriend. For my brothers, who somehow snagged invitations to the reception.
I drape my arms over Beau’s broad shoulders as we sway to the music. “I didn’t know Cash and Trig knew Baylee and Mav very well.”
He clears his throat. “I think that’s a recent development.”
Glancing around, I smile at all the Walker brothers dancing with their dates. Rhett and Paige. Mav and Baylee. Isaiah and his daughter. Jace and Rory.
I do a double-take at that last pair. Um. “I think Rory has a thing for Jace.” It’s the way she looks at him, which, given his history, is probably a bad idea.
Beau laughs as he shakes his head. “What woman doesn’t?”
“I don’t. Jace is cute and all, but I happen to have a thing for a rugged firefighter who rappels off bridges like a badass.” A clip of him rescuing me went viral. He looked like a damn action movie hero.
And he’s all mine.
While Beau is sexy as hell in a fireman’s uniform, he’s downright sinful in a tux. The jacket hugs his torso, emphasizing the athletic lines of his shoulders and tapering down to his lean waist. His dirty blond hair has been tamed a little, and his neatly trimmed beard frames his handsome smile.
