The only person missing was Dave. Derek looked over to his nephew and saw so much of his brother in the young man; it was almost like he was still with them. He tipped his head back and looked up at the cloudless blue sky. I love you, brother.

  Mike and Jay stepped up to shake Derek’s hand before taking their place in the line of men there to support him. The hundred guests who had come together to witness their vows were already seated, and a hum of excitement filled the open space.

  Derek could scarcely believe this was finally happening. He took a step back to ask Mike, “Have you spoken to your mom? Is she okay?”

  Mike grinned. “She’s better than okay. I’ve never seen her happier.”

  He released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Taking it upon himself to plan this surprise had seemed like an inspired idea at the time, but he couldn’t help but worry that she might be angry with him for leaving her out of the loop until the last minute. “You sure she’s not pissed at me?”

  Jay chuckled. “Yeah, she’s pissed that you’re messin’ with her make-up. She’s so blown away that you’d do this for her that she can’t stop cryin’.”

  Mike looked him in the eye. “It means a lot to us, seein’ her so happy.”

  He included both of his future stepsons in his smile when he said, “It’s nothin’ compared to how happy your mama makes me.”

  A hush fell over the crowd when Marisa, Avery, Sierra, Lexi, and Nikki made their way down the aisle accompanied by their gorgeous children. Nikki was walking with her half-brother, who was a picture of their father at his age.

  The guests waited for the ladies to claim their places before the pianist began playing the traditional wedding march. Derek watched his bride appear in the most stunning white dress he’d ever seen. It was long, slim, strapless, and scattered with pearls. She looked like every fantasy he’d ever had materializing as she looked up into her father’s eyes when they paused at the end of the long white runner.

  “You are one lucky man,” J.T. said with a smile.

  Derek didn’t respond. He didn’t have to. He knew he was the luckiest man alive the day Ashley agreed to become his wife.

  Ashley’s father lifted her short veil to kiss his daughter’s cheek before he offered her hand to Derek. “This day is long overdue, son,” he said to his future son-in-law. “I know you’ll take good care of my baby.”

  Derek grasped his hand firmly. It had been a long time since Ashley’s parents had been a part of his life, but when he left work early to have dinner with them last night, it felt like the years melted away as they brought him up to speed on their family and friends. “I promise I will, sir.”

  Ashley claimed her place at the altar, facing him, and Derek could tell she was on the verge of tears. “I can’t believe you did all of this for me,” she whispered. “Thank you.”

  He wanted more than anything to kiss her, but with the minister looking on, he decided not to tempt fate. “I love you. You know there’s nothin’ I wouldn’t do for you, sweetheart.”

  She closed her eyes as a tear slipped down her cheek.

  The minister welcomed their guests and proceeded with the ceremony before offering Derek the opportunity to speak directly to Ashley.

  “I knew the first time I laid eyes on you more than twenty-five years ago that there would never be another woman to take your place in my heart. The years have slipped by and we’ve led separate lives, but there wasn’t a day that went by when I didn’t think of you.”

  Her bottom lip trembled as she tried to contain her emotion.

  “You were the only thing missing in my life. No matter how far I ran, or how hard I tried to forget you, I couldn’t. I knew I’d never feel complete unless I earned the right to stand up here in front of God and the people we love and make you my wife. It’s taken me almost half my life to become the man you deserve, but now that I am, I promise you, I will never let you down again. I’ll fight for you and us with my dying breath because, Ashley, you are my world. Without you, nothing else matters.”

  The guests dried their tears as the minister invited Ashley to speak to her groom.

  “Derek, when you walked back into my life, you reminded me what it felt like to be alive. For so long, I’d just been going through the motions, pretending to be happy, but feeling this huge void that nothing and no one could ever fill. Then I realized why… You were the only person who could make me feel complete.” She sniffled. “Living without you for so many years, trying to pretend I didn’t love you, was the hardest thing I’d ever done. Now, being able to stand here, in front of the people who mean the most to us, and tell you, and them, that you’re the love of my life, my soul mate, is a blessing, one I’ll never take for granted. Today has been a gift, one I’ll treasure always. Thank you for making my dreams come true.”

  Derek cleared his throat softly, trying to mask his emotion as the minister asked him the question that would link their lives forever. “I do.”

  Ashley smiled up at him. He knew that she was the one person who knew how close he was to losing it. She repeated the words before watching him slip a narrow diamond band next to the diamond solitaire he’d placed on her finger weeks earlier.

  The minister’s final words barely registered until Derek heard him grant permission for him to kiss his bride. He held her face in his hands and claimed her mouth in a tender, but passionate kiss that reiterated his love for her.

  “Ladies and gentleman, I’d like to present Mr. and Mrs. Derek McCall.”

  Derek winked at her as he led her down the aisle to greet their guests. “Damn, I like the sound of that.”

  She laughed as he raised her hand to his lips. “You better.”

  “I love you, Mrs. McCall.”

  “Not as much as I love you, Mr. McCall.”

  About the Author

  To learn more about this author or the rest of the books in the Nashville Nights series, visit

  www.cheryldouglasbooks.com.

  To comment on this book, or ask the author a question you can email her at

  info@cheryldouglasbooks.com

  You can also visit Cheryl on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cheryldouglasbooks

  Please consider leaving a review for this book, or other books in the Nashville Nights series

  at www.amazon.com

  Thank You

  Coming September 2012

  Careless

  Book Seven in the Nashville Nights Series

  Shameless – Book One

  Trey Turner may be topping the country music charts, but his life has been going downhill since his wife left him five years ago. He’s desperate to make amends for the mistakes he’s made and convince Sierra that their love deserves a second chance.

  Sierra Brooks is happy for the first time since her divorce. She has a career she loves and a man who loves her. Unfortunately, her fiancé isn’t the only man professing his love. He may be able to offer her safety and security, but will she decide to risk everything for another chance with the man who broke her heart?

  Fearless – Book Two

  Lexi Brooks has overcome adversity to build a successful real estate business that will enable her to live life on her terms. The life she envisions includes travel, fun and excitement, not marriage, kids or commitment. But will Trey’s sexy bodyguard throw a wrench into her plans?

  Being a cop has taught Josh Cooper to take calculated risks, but he’s tired of living with the daily threat of danger. He’s ready to settle down with someone who wants to be a step-mother to his two teenage sons. Too bad Lexi isn’t that woman. She’s sexy, smart, head-strong, and they’re totally in sync in the bedroom , but she isn’t willing to settle for a life of domestic bliss. Or is she?

  Ruthless – Book Three

  Marisa Turner has wanted Luc Spencer forever, but she also wants a baby and it seems Luc isn’t up to the challenge. She has to choose between the man she loves and the family she hopes to have. Fortunately, there’s another man waiting in the wings who would love to make her baby fantasy a reality.

  Luc Spencer is tired of hearing about marriage and babies. He loves Marisa, but he’s not a forever kind of guy. After two years together, she tells him it’s over. He’s not worried, he believes she’ll be back. But what will happen when he finds out there’s another man waiting to take his place?

  Reckless – Book Four

  As a publicist, Avery Collins knows that mixing business with pleasure is a recipe for disaster so she has one rule. Her bedroom is off limits to clients, no matter how enticing and persistent they may be.

  Ty McCall is country music’s newest rising star, but he needs the best team in the business of help him make it to the top. That team includes Avery, who gave him the most unforgettable night of his life only to disappear the next morning.

  Avery agrees to work with him, but Ty isn’t willing to settle for a professional relationship with the woman of his dreams. Can this sexy cowboy convince her that rules were made to be broken?

  Relentless – Book Five

  Nikki Spencer is all grown up, but the world still sees her as the cute little girl she used to be. She’s ready to prove to her adoring public and a certain rough riding rodeo champion that sweet little Nikki isn’t as innocent as everyone thinks.

  J.T. McCall has a reputation as a rough rider, both on the bull riding circuit and with the ladies. So, what’s he to do when an innocent, like country crooner, Nikki Spencer, sets her sights on him? He plans to do what any good old country boy would do, save the lady from herself. But who will save J.T. when this little firecracker sets his world on fire?

  Heartless – Book Six

  Derek McCall was devastated when his girlfriend married his best friend, Josh. He respected the boundaries of friendship for years, but one night they gave in to temptation. Feeling guilty for betraying his best friend, Derek left town, determined to put the past and Ashley behind him.

  Ashley Cooper has loved two men in her life, her ex-husband, Josh, and her ex-boyfriend, Derek. This single mom is finally ready to start dating again when Derek returns to town, ready to throw his hat in the ring. Her kids are dead-set against the relationship, but will she risk their disapproval for a chance to re-write history?

  Hopeless – Book Seven

  When Jay Cooper has to hire a black belt instructor for his karate studio, he doesn’t expect the most promising candidate to come with a huge chip on her shoulder. He knows there must be a story behind those tortured brown eyes. If only she would let him get close enough to find out why she seems to determined to keep her past a secret.

  Victoria Pierce grew up in the foster care system. For her, martial arts was more than a hobby. It was her best hope of survival. She learned at an early age that the only person she could count on was herself. She doesn’t let anyone get close enough to hurt her, not friends, boyfriends, and definitely not her new boss. She shuts Jay down at every opportunity, so why does he keep coming back for more?

  Careless – Book Eight

  Detective, Mike Cooper, loves a challenge. So when his father, Josh, ask him to consult on a tough case, he can’t resist the temptation. He agrees to take a brief leave of absense from the police force to accompany country singer, Tori Warner, on tour. His objective? To find the crazed fan who’s been stalking her. If only Tori wasn’t so determined to play hard and fast with the rules.

  Tori is tired of living in a bubble. She’s been allowing this stalker to control her life for months, and she’s sick of it. So when some hotshot detective decides to become her self-appointed bodyguard, she’s determined to show him that she’s the one calling the shots.

  Tori is the most infuriating woman Mike has ever met. She refuses to take orders, even when her life is at stake. He’s tempted to let her fend for herself, but Mike can’t walk away knowing some maniac is out to get her. Especially not after one explosive night makes him lose his objectivity. Suddenly, this case is personal, and Mike can’t rest until he knows Tori is safe.

 

 

  Cheryl Douglas, Heartless

 

 

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