Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two

Autumn

I deplane in my wedding gown, hair and makeup done. Zane and I took different planes, our version of not seeing one another before the wedding. The three hours away from him might kill me.

“Elegant,” my mother says, whispering as we load into the limo. From here on, I have no idea where we’re going, but I’m looking forward to the surprise.

“You’re all wearing orange.” I gasp, glancing around.

“Of course we are. Zane requested we did,” Mom says.

My parents, sister, Blaire, Julie, Oliver, and Katie, slide into the car.

A few minutes later, it zooms away.

“Are you excited?” my sister asks, pulling the champagne bottle from its bucket stuffed with ice. Blaire passes out glasses to us.

“Understatement of the year.” I gulp the vanilla-flavored bubbly. It’s delicious, and I wonder if Zane chose it for me.

“I can’t believe we’re back home,” my mom laughs. “My head is spinning.”

“It feels right, though.” There is a sense of excitement surrounding us. I am Cinderella in this story. The thought makes me smile.

My sister’s phone buzzes and she turns it off. I make a face, wondering what it could mean. When our gazes meet, she slightly shakes her head and glances at our parents.

She hasn’t told them about her job.

As if she reads my mind, she leans in close.

“I’m trying to find a good time to drop the news.” Her voice is a whisper.

“I won’t say a word. What will you do? Stay in California?”

“I was thinking I’d move home for a little while. I miss it a lot.”

“Selfishly, I think it’s a great idea.”

“Staying with Mom and Dad for longer than two weeks sounds like a nightmare,” she admits.

“You can have my place. Take over my lease.”

She laughs. “Oh, that’s right. You’re getting married.” Her words trail off. “It seems like it worked out, doesn’t it?”

“An intelligent woman once told me it always does and that we shouldn’t stress about things that haven’t happened yet.”

“Are you nervous?” Winter asks.

Calmness washes over me. “No. Every day I’m with him, I’m living a dream. He has a good heart that should be protected at all costs. Earlier, he thought I was going to call this off. The expression he had…” I shake my head. “I never want to see that look again. It nearly destroyed me.”

“Because you love him.”

“Yes,” I whisper. “And I keep asking myself how it’s possible, how I can feel this strongly and deeply about someone so fast.”

“Hey.” She squeezes my hand. “Time is irrelevant when you’ve waited a lifetime for love like this. There isn’t a rulebook to life, sis. You’ve been obsessed with it for as long as I can remember. It’s why you wanted to write romance books. You found it, though. Some people never get to experience what you have. Don’t question it, embrace it.”

Ten minutes later, the car slows. When the door opens, a helicopter awaits us on a pad.

“This way,” the driver says, leading us across the path. The eight of us climb on board, putting on the headsets and buckling ourselves to the leather seats. It drips with luxury and extravagance.

My sister sits beside me and rests her hand on my shoulder as we lift off. I grab her hand like we used to when we were kids. Her fingernails are cut short, which is usually a sign that she’s stressed.

Time is passing fast and we’ll be in Cozy Creek quicker than I anticipated. It’s almost like having the wedding here was the plan all along.

Oliver, Katie, Blaire, and Julie take shots. My parents are focused on the view on the opposite side of the cabin.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I say to her.

“Me too.” Winter smiles, and we grow silent as we fly over mountain passes past the highway. The sun hangs low in the sky as wisps of clouds float in the distance. My thoughts go to Zane, and I wonder what he’s doing right now and if he’s thinking of me, too. Being apart is hard. Once we return from his father’s wedding, we’re not leaving the manor for a week.

I want to be with him and only him.

An hour later, I realize where we are—the secluded one-room chapel and white steeple church at the top of the resort, which is only reserved for the most notable events. White folded chairs with bows face the staged platform.

In my dream, when I married Mr. Dreamy, it wasn't at the Chapel of Love in Vegas. It was... here . I gasp, covering my mouth.

Winter bumps my body with hers. “How are you?”

“Happy,” I whisper.

The helicopter pads, where we land, are housed on the other side of the property. Once we’re back on the ground, I watch someone walk across the grass like it’s a runway. By the gait alone, it’s obvious it's Harper. When she is close, she smiles wide.

“Wow,” she says. “My brother won’t be able to hold it together when he sees you. And vice versa, he looks handsome.”

I blush. “I had a dream he was wearing a steel-gray tuxedo.”

“Recently?” She tilts her head at me and narrows her eyes.

“No,” I laugh. “Years ago.”

“Ah. I guess we’ll see.” She scans my face. “Makeup is still good. I told Oliver to make sure it was waterproof. He guaranteed you could go swimming and still have a face.”

I chuckle. “I’m grateful.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

We continue walking toward the staging area for me and find my father standing patiently in place, waiting for me. The sound of warming string instruments drifts quietly in the chilly mountain air. She checks her watch. “We’re right on time. Are you ready?”

I shove my hand in my pocket and feel the letter Zane gave me. “I will be in just one second. I have to read this.”

“I’ll give you some privacy,” she says as I unfold the paper and turn my back. My eyes scan over the handwriting, which looks like an elegant script.

Pumpkin,

My beautiful bride. How is this my life? It’s a question I’ve asked myself since the moment I saw you.

While you were sleeping this morning, I wrote this for you. Right now, you’re lying between the silk sheets, breathing softly, with your hair splayed across the pillow as sparkling sunlight leaks through the windows…I wish you could see how fucking gorgeous you are.

When our eyes meet, I know you’re the woman I’m supposed to be with for an eternity. Things are moving fast; I don’t care. I’ve waited a lifetime for you.

I try not to cry, not wanting to ruin my makeup. “Harper. I’m sorry, do you have a tissue?”

“Of course,” she tells me, pulling a package from the pocket of her burnt-orange dress with a swoop in the front. “I never attend weddings without them. Five minutes,” she says with a wink. “Time to get you hitched, sis.”

I nod, soaking up the tears that threaten to spill and continue reading.

Unfortunately, Harper’s prophecy was wrong for once. She said that I’d marry the love of my life in Cozy Creek. This will bother her for an eternity, and I won’t ever let her live it down. I hope you don’t either.

“What?!” I say out loud, rereading his words. “ Harper. ”

“Yes?” she singsongs.

I turn to face her.

“You knew I’d change my mind?” I study her, goosebumps covering my skin.

“Of course. How do you think all this happened so flawlessly? Booked it all on a hunch. I was waiting for you to wake up and realize it.”

“How?” I burst into laughter.

She shrugs. “Sometimes when you know, you just know. And oh, God, there is tons more to come.”

“Good stuff?”

She smiles wider. “Wonderful, beautiful, incredible, life-changing things. I’m fucking excited for you and my brother. Now, you have to speed read so you can exchange vows at the perfect time.”

“Okay,” I whisper, trusting she knows how this should go.

I’m sure Elvis will be great. I’m most excited about hearing him sing I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You. It’s my motto. I’ve repeated it to myself every day since we danced in the rain together. I fell for you like raindrops fall from the sky.

You’re my one true love, and I’m madly, deeply, obsessively in love with you. I’ve never been able to give anyone the real me until you. Autumn, you have me without barriers. No one else has ever made me feel safe. No one has ever made me feel seen. No one has ever loved me with all of themselves. I see it in your eyes and your heart. It's in mine, too. Love like this has only been reserved for you, my good luck charm.

My mother once told me to be known is to be loved. You know me. And I love you, Autumn. I love you like I’ve known you for a lifetime.

Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.

Your soon-to-be hubby,

Mr. Dreamy