Alexis releases a nervous gasp and grabs my arm.

  “It’s okay,” our son tells us, and Alexis squeezes my arm tighter.

  That is when Gretchen lifts her head and looks back at us. “I love it all,” she says and I’m taken aback by her tears. She may be my son's wife, but in my eyes she is a part of my family and I protect those I love.

  “I’ve never had this kind of support from my family. All I wanted was for them to believe in me but they never did.” She says, her voice hoarse. “It truly means the world to me that you do.”

  If only they knew just how special their daughter is, but that is their loss and our gain. I’m happy to claim her as my daughter and her talent awes me every time I see a before and an after.

  “Of course we believe in you,” Alexis tells her, stepping around me and walking toward Gretchen. “You are our daughter and we love you. We want you to be happy.”

  “I am.” She hugs Alexis back. “And I have all of you to thank for that.”

  Alexis

  We sit in our living room, surrounded by our children and their spouses. Just a quiet little evening together to exchange Christmas gifts.

  I watch as Gretchen holds Sarah on her lap while she reads a book to her.

  I find myself wondering if she and Colton will ever have children. I would love that for them, I know my son loves children. I also know that Gretchen’s parents were and are still godawful and I’m not the kind of person to pass judgment, but I’m not a fan of those people. To be blessed with such an amazing daughter and not loving her like she deserves to be loved.

  Shame on them.

  “What’s on your mind?” Colt, my husband stands at my side and places his arm around my waist.

  “I want so much for that girl,” I wish more than anything I could erase every sad memory Gretch has ever had. “I want her to see that nothing from her past is her fault, and not let it set the course for their future.”

  “Are you talking about babies?”

  “Maybe,” yes of course I am. I want my son to be a father.

  “Let them set their own course.” Colt leans over and offers me a kiss. “She’s going to be surrounded by babies, and look at her now.” He whispers near my ear. “Give it time and she’ll see how she’ll make an amazing mother, even if her own was shit. She’s got you babe, and she’s got Gemma and my mom, all spoiling her and loving her. She’ll find her way babe.”

  I know he’s right, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to reach inside and take away all the hurt she’s feeling. She is also one of my children and I adore her. I only want the best for them all.

  The Wedding

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Kyra

  “So pretty,” Grace says as she runs her hand over my hair that is pinned up with tendrils falling down around my face. “You look like a princess.”

  “She looks hot,” Julian adds, and though I know he has no interest I still feel my cheeks heat.

  “Your skin is flawless and I’ve always thought you looked like a beautiful Chine Doll.” Maddison leans in and touches up my eye make-up. “Garrett is a very lucky man.”

  I take a deep breath trying my hardest not to cry. I’m not great with being the center of attention. Each one of them are focused on me and have been all day.

  “He’s gonna lose it when he sees you,” Grace is all giddy, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.

  “He’s been in love with you for so long,” Maddison holds my stare. “I can’t even begin to explain how happy it makes us all that he finally got the girl of his dreams.”

  I try hard to hold back the tears, but they immediately pool in my eyes.

  “You are all going to ruin her makeup,” Julian shushes them all and hands me a tissues. “Save it for after pictures you fools.” He eyes each and every one of them. “Are you all insane, sheesh.”

  Everyone bursts out laughing and gone are the emotions that were threatening to overtake me.

  “Are you ready for this?” Gretchen asks.

  “I’ve been counting down the days. I’m more than ready.”

  Chloe hooks her arm though mine and smiles at me brightly. “Let’s go get you hitched girl.”

  “Welcome to the crazy,” Gretchen laughs as they lead me from the back room toward the man that holds my heart.

  Garrett

  I take a slow deep breath as I watch Kyra walk toward me. Her gran at her side, she smiles at me and it takes my breath away. She is like an angel; she is my angel.

  I can’t take my eyes off of her.

  I feel like I’ve waited forever for her and now I don’t ever want to let her go. The idea of a life without Kyra, is something I never want to face.

  I’ve been surrounded by loving people my entire life. Every single man in my family, though pushy and slightly overbearing, loves intensely. I want a life like they all lead. I want to come home to a house full of chaos and grab hold of my wife, kissing her and making the kids eww as they cover their eyes. I want to trip over toys and hear giggling in the middle of the night when they should be sleeping.

  I want it all with Kyra.

  I’m only minutes away from calling her my wife and my pulse races with excitement. She’s been mine for longer than she realizes.

  Here in front of all our friends and our families I’m ready to commit my life to hers. I’m ready to seal our future.

  As she reaches me I take her hand in mine and she steps up and her gran releases her hold. You take care of our girl,” she says. “Protect her and never let her fall.” Gran is usually mischievous, but in this moment she’s ever the Matriarch.

  “I promise,” I say, Lily Mae has been in my corner from the start and I know she understands just how much I love her granddaughter.

  The preacher starts and I can’t look away from my bride. Her eyes fill with tears and I want nothing more than to lean in and kiss away them away. She’s feeling the emotions of the day and if I’m being honest, so am I. My chest is on fire, and the pressure makes it hard to breathe freely. But none of those things are caused by fear but all consuming excitement.

  “You may kiss your bride,” he doesn’t even get the words completely out and I’m stepping in close to hook Kyra’s waist. “This means you're mine,” I tell her as I kiss her softly and she runs her fingers through my hair holding me close.

  “I’ve always been yours,” my wife whispers against my lips, and I am lost. Lost to her beauty, lost to the joy I feel. Lost in us.

  As we separate I rest my forehead to hers and we both take a slow deep breath. Our lives start now and I’m overjoyed at where it may lead us.

  I hold her hand in mine as we turn around. I find my mother in the crowd, her hand over her mouth, her eyes filled with tears as she holds on to my father’s arm and leans in to him. My dad grins proudly and Mike sits at his side, his arms crossed over his chest but the smile he wears tells me all I need to know. He’s proud too, and though I never tell him this he is my idol and I’ve always looked up to my big brother. He’s not only a hero, he’s my hero.

  bonus scene

  Julian

  I gather my bags, and push the cart into the return bay. Stepping out of the way to allow an older couple to pass by and I offer them a smile. So focused on them I don’t give much attention to my surroundings and I turn to leave colliding with someone in the process. The groceries fall to the ground, my blueberries lid pops open and roll all over the pavement.

  “Damnit,” a deep rough voice grumbles.

  Suddenly someone kneels before me and starts gathering my scattered fruit. Light brown rustled hair, the perfect length to run your fingers through.

  “I’m so sorry,” the man says turning to look up at me, and I feel like the air has been knocked from my lungs.

  Baby blue eyes peer up at me, and the most attractive smile I’ve ever seen.

  “It’s okay,” I force the words out and he starts to shake his head.

  “It’s not,” the man stands and holds out the container of blueberries. “It’s my fault,” the corner of his mouth lifts up into that dazzling smile once more, and my stomach grows tight. “I should have been watching where I was going.”

  “But if you were, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” I shrug feeling a little brave and wondering if I’d read the signs wrong.

  “We’d be having it,” he steps aside for another customer to pass by and only brings himself closer to me. “We’d just be without all your groceries on the ground at our feet.”

  I love his southern drawl, the cowboy boots on his feet and the big, big, buckle at his waist. Suddenly I feel heat rise in my chest and neck. My ears are getting hotter and my mouth is getting dry.

  “Matt,” the gorgeous cowboy holds out his hand and I place mine in his. The rough callous feel sends thrills through me from head to toe.

  “Julian,” I force the words, trying not to look like a fool as I drool. The man is a dream, a strong handshake and muscles that bulge beneath his flannel. And those thighs, I fight the urge to fan my face.

  “Julian,” He repeats, and I swoon from the way my name sounds on his lips. “What do you say you let me buy you dinner to make up for colliding with you?”

  “Dinner sounds nice,” I waste no time accepting.

  Matt, my own personal cowboy... and all I can think is Santa was listening this year. He was just a few weeks late on the delivery.

  acknowledgments

  THE CHARMED GIRLS reader group. You are all amazing.

  The continued support you show me is something I will never be able to express just how much it means to me. Thank you all for sharing my work and for just being you. You are all the greatest bunch of ladies ever.

  Arc Review Team, you know who you are. Thank you all so very much for taking this journey with me. Your feedback and encouragement are what keep me going.

  To my husband and children, thank you so much for being as amazing as you are. My three most favorite people in the world, I love you to the moon and back.

  My readers, I am always so humbled by your support. Those random messages I receive after you read my books, whether it be something big or small, I truly love them. Hearing what you think, in my eyes, is one of the greatest things about releasing a new book. I am never too busy for you.

  about the author

  A LITTLE ABOUT C.A. HARMS…

  She has always had a love for reading. Enjoys a good mystery, a saucy romance or even a sweet love story. Like her music, its all about the kind of mood she’s in.

  She is a mother of two, and married to her high school sweetheart.

  When she is not ready or writing, she enjoys crafting. Favorite places to visit, Tennessee, tucked away in the mountains, where its beautiful and peaceful.

  https://linktr.ee/caharmsauthor

  also by c. a. harms

  Ryan’s Love (Sawyer Brothers #1)

  One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was bury my wife.

  The second hardest thing would be watching my twelve-year-old daughter fall to her knees as they lowered her mother into the ground to rest.

  A heart-wrenching vision that will forever be etched in my mind.

  Claire was my best friend—she had been since we were barely old enough to talk. I always knew, one day, I would marry her. I think I may have even told her that a few times while we were growing up.

  Never did I think I would lose her so suddenly.

  I knew at that moment…

  Our life would never be the same again…

  Perfect Risk (Mason Creek #1)

  Mason Creek, Montana is my home.

  It always has been and truth is, there is no place like it.

  I can hide away in a big city, pretend as if I’m not drowning.

  I can ignore the sadness inside my heart that is begging for a change.

  But if I’m being honest, my sense of belonging has disappeared.

  I thought I wanted the big city life, the fast track, and all the glamorous things. Turns out, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than home.

  Coming back to help run my mom’s business gave me the perfect escape.

  But there is one problem. An unresolved past has a way of haunting anyone.

  Things can sure get complicated when the man that broke your heart all those years ago is now your new landlord.

  It may get a little messy, I may regret my decision to stay…

  But then again, this might just be the Perfect Risk.

  Sutton's Choice (Hudson Boys Book 1)

  First impressions can either be a kiss of death, or seal your fate.

  You either click or clash, soar or fall.

  Or in my case they could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

  Problems arrive when the other party wants more.

  That can, and did lead to a very messy situation.

  One I was not prepared for, I was oblivious to what people around could see.

  Maybe I was blinded by the comfortable state Bennett and I had fallen into.

  Or maybe I chose to ignore the signs.

  All I did know for sure was that I was the girl in love with the new guy...

  OR other guy…

 

 

  C.A. Harms, A Brooklet Dreams Christmas: Holiday and a Wedding Novella

 

 

  Thank you for reading books on GrayCity.Net
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