Page 81 of Sainte
“Oh my goodness, look at my baby girl,” Mrs. Baylee says as she rushes to her daughter.
“Don’t make her cry,” Brianne quickly states.
“You look radiant,” her dad says and gives her a big hug.
“Emma dear, I just have to ask you one question.” Her mom fidgets with the gloves in her hand. “Is this what you really want? Is this”—she looks around disapprovingly—“biker life really the life you want?”
“Jane, you promised,” Emma’s father says.
“Oh, William, I just have to be sure. You and I both know this is not the life we would have chosen for our Emma.” Emma’s mother sounds like a first-class snob, and as much as I try, I don’t like her. I text Sainte because I have to vent to someone.
“What’s important is that Emma is happy. She has loved Caden all her life. If this is the life she wants, then by God, this is the life she’s gonna get.”
I really like her dad.
“Mom,” Emma says, joining their discussion. “This is the life I want and the life I choose. I can’t even begin to imagine a life without Caden. And we have two children, your grandchildren. Don’t you think their parents deserve to be happy?”
Her mother shakes her head, still not convinced her daughter is happy. What the hell does Emma have to do, swear it on a stack of Bibles? The woman is irritating me, and I decide enough is enough. “Mrs. Baylee, it’s almost time. Could you please make your way downstairs and have one of the boys show you to your seat?”
She gives me a disapproving look and says, “Well yes, if you insist.”
I smile sweetly. “In fact I do.”
She turns and stomps off.
After she leaves the room, Emma’s dad says, “Don’t you go worrying about her, sweetheart. She’ll get over it.”
“I know, Dad, I just don’t know why she has to be that way.”
“She’ll never change.” Her dad shakes his head.
“Okay, guys, it’s time,” I say, interrupting.
“Are ya ready?” He holds his arm out for her to take. She takes a deep breath, nods, and wraps her arm around his.
Just as they are getting ready to leave, Ari walks up to Emma and says, “Thank you for loving my brother. I’ve always looked to you as a big sister, and now it’s really happening.”
“Oh darn, Ari, don’t make me cry.” She gives Ari a hug and says, “Loving your brother is the easy part, and it’s an honor to call you my sister.”
Ari hugs her back. Emma then gets herself together, and we all make our way toward the stairs. I send a quick text to Sainte, letting him know we are ready.
Meanwhile at the other end of the clubhouse…
Sainte
“Emma is gonna be fucking pissed.”
“Ice, she’s marrying a biker. I’m sure she is not expecting you to appear in a penguin suit. Besides, the gray shirt is a nice touch,” Rebel says.
He looks at himself in the mirror. He’s got on black dress pants, a gray button-down shirt, a tie, and his cut. Personally, I think he looks better than most bikers at their weddings, but who am I to judge? “I think you look great,” I say reassuringly. The man is a nervous wreck, and frankly I am not sure why. Does this happen to all grooms on their wedding day?
“Rebel, you got the rings?”
“Rings, what rings?”
Oh, Rebel, this is not the time to tease him.
Ice turns toward him and glares. He raises his hands, both rings dangling from his fingers. “Sorry, just thought a little humor would help ease the tension.”
