Page 34 of Love Unbound
Jodi sat between Levi and Shaun, the rest of the Kendall’s filling the seats along the first row. Shaun turned and smiled when Zoey arrived, baby Verity in her arms. She sat in the row of seats directly behind them, along with others Jodi assumed were part of Shane and Free’s extended family.
When nearly all the seats were filled, the officiant walked out to stand at the center of the altar, followed by Shane and his groomsmen. They lined up on the side closest to Jodi and her family, and she blushed when Free winked at her from where hestood next to Shane.
Soft music began to play from around them and Jodi turned in her seat just as the bridesmaids began to walk down the aisle one at a time. Each woman wore a different style dress that complimented her body perfectly. Jodi looked up into the majestic, sweeping branches of the maple tree they sat beneath, the sun filtering through the leaves high above them, the exact same color as the dresses of the women that walked toward the altar now.
Jodi looked back when the officiant said softly, “Please stand for the bride.”
The music changed as they all stood, and Jodi recognized it as an acoustic instrumental version of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, and tears instantly filled her eyes.
While everyone turned to watch Cassie as she came into view, Jodi instead turned to look at Shane, wanting to catch his first glimpse of his bride. She wasn’t disappointed.
The beaming smile on his face was brilliant to look at as he watched the stunningly beautiful woman walking toward him. The tears in Jodi’s eyes spilled over and she smiled broadly. This moment was her favorite part of weddings.
Jodi’s eyes flit to Free and she blushed when she realized he was watching her. The officiant asked them to sit, and as they all took their seats, he began, “Cassandra and Shane would like to take a moment to thank you all for being here with them today…”
Cassie was trembling slightly where she stood, and Jodi’s heart melted when Shane captured her hands in his, squeezing them gently, and the nervous energy seemed to disappear from the bride at his touch. The love that fairly radiated from the two was palpable and more tears stung Jodi’s nose as she witnessed the commitment they promised to each other.
Jodi’s eyes sought Free again, and she smiled at the lovinggrin that tugged at his mouth and crinkled his eyes at the corners as he stood beside his brother.
When his eyes slid to hers and held, her breath stalled in her throat. What could have only been seconds felt like an eternity as they stayed just like that, lost in each other.
Jodi was pulled from her reverie as the officiant called out, “You may now kiss your bride, Shane,” and Shane didn’t waste a heartbeat before pulling his glowing bride to him for a scorching kiss.
Next to her, Shauntelle put her fingers to her lips and whistled loudly as the guests stood, applause ringing out.
As Shane and Cassie ended their first kiss as husband and wife, Jodi beamed when the officiant called out proudly, “It is my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time,Mr. and Mrs. Shane Thorp!”
The newlyweds walked back up the aisle hand-in-hand to rounds of cheers, whistles, and applause. Free stepped forward, extending his elbow to Cassie’s sister and Matron of Honor, escorting her back down the aisle. After the bridal party, the Kendall family made their way to the receiving line, hugging Cassie and Shane hard. Seren was still dabbing at tears as she hugged Shane tightly. “I’m so proud of you, honey,” Jodi heard her mom say.
“Thank you for being here,” Shane murmured, emotion clogging his throat. “It means a lot to me to have you all here.”
Levi clapped the young man on the back, shaking his hand, before saying gruffly, “You’re family, son. We wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Cassie, my dear, you make a beautiful bride!”
Jodi hugged Cassie first, welcoming her to the family and said reverently, “This dress is absolutely stunning on you!” The young woman thanked her and squeezed her hand. Jodi squeezed it back and smiled once more before turning to Shane,who bear hugged her hard, lifting her off the ground and making her laugh. He kissed her cheek as he set her down, and she whispered, “I’m so happy for you. You two were meant for each other.”
Shane grinned and looked over at his new bride and nodded. “I don’t know how I got so lucky. Thank you for being here, Jodi. I love you, sis.”
Jodi wrinkled her nose as tears threatened again, slapping his arm lightly. “Don’t make me cry again. Love you, too.”
Jodi stepped toward Free where he stood next to his brother, and he surprised her by leaning down to press his lips to the corner of her mouth fleetingly, making butterflies take flight in her middle. His lips moved against her skin as he whispered, “I’ll find you inside,” and she nodded, too breathless to speak.
A short time later, Free found Jodi at the bar in the reception tent, waiting for a glass of champagne from Kyle the bartender. He slid one hand, palm flat, around her waist and her body tingled deliciously at the contact.
“Ready for a party?” he breathed in her ear, then grinned when she shivered slightly. She nodded, looking up at him. “My aunt and uncle are here, I’d like you to meet them, if that’s okay.”
“Free, do you want a drink while you’re here?” Kyle asked before Jodi could respond.
Free nodded, then said, “I’ll take a whisky on the rocks, please.” Kyle had it made in seconds, handing it over to Free, who took a generous sip. “Thank you,” he said, placing cash in the tip jar. “We’ll be back.”
Free took Jodi’s hand in his, leading her around the gorgeously decorated tent. Guests were milling around, getting refreshments from the bartenders, and handsomely dressed caterers were busy setting out hors d’oeuvres. The tables were covered in crisp white tablecloths and tasteful centerpieces.
“Freeman!”
Jodi turned to see a woman with light brown hair making her way toward them, followed by a tall, black haired man with broad shoulders and an impressive black mustache. He reminded Jodi of the actor Tom Selleck.
Free smiled and reached out to hug the woman, then shook hands with the man.
“Jodi,” he said and turned to her, “this is my mother’s sister, my Aunt Leah, and her husband, my Uncle Adam. This is Jodi Kendall.”
