13. Dawson

Dawson stepped up to his spot at the front of the church and settled in. He clasped his hands in front of him just like Olivia had instructed him to do.

Now, how long did they have to stand here before things got started?

He scanned the familiar faces in the small chapel. The pews were filled from one end to the other. He waved when he spotted his mom and Jeremy in the crowd.

"Dad, is it time yet?" Jacob asked.

"Almost," Asa whispered back.

Seconds later, the music started. Lyric's mom walked down the aisle first. A few seconds later, Asa's mom made her way toward them. Betty Scott's smile was wide, and the crow's-feet beside her eyes were deep as she beamed at her son standing at the altar.

The next person to appear at the end of the aisle was Olivia. The sight of her in a dress, holding a bouquet, and walking toward him stole his breath.

He'd give anything to have a chance with her–a chance to show her how much he loved her. He would protect her with his life, provide for her every need and want, and never miss a chance to adore her.

Would that be enough? If she couldn't love him in a romantic way, would anything change her mind?

Olivia walked slowly to the front of the chapel. When she glanced up at him, he gave her a quick wink. She smiled and turned to take her place on the other side of the officiant.

Finally, Lyric and her dad made their way into the chapel. There were whispered awes above the music, and everyone's attention was on the bride. Lyric's dad looked happier than a kid in a candy store as he gave her away at the altar.

It had been a while since Dawson had attended a wedding ceremony, but Olivia assured him it would be a quick thing. He'd missed the rehearsal dinner last night because of work, so he tried to listen for the cues Olivia had given him this morning.

"These two have come here today in front of their family, friends, witnesses, and God to pledge a renewal. A renewal in Christ, and a coming together as one."

Man, Asa and Lyric were perfect for each other. Seriously, no one could tear those two apart. And a renewal in Christ? Dawson wanted to sign up for that kind of commitment. He wanted a life with a woman who was just as adamant in her faith as him.

But not with just anyone. Only the woman standing on the other side of the chapel. It had to be Olivia. No doubt about it.

His attention drifted to her again, and her gaze slipped to him. Her eyes darted toward the couple, urging him to pay attention.

He was paying attention, but what kind of trouble would he get in if he kept this up just to see Olivia make funny faces at him in front of a church full of people?

The officiant read from 1 Corinthians 13, and Dawson pictured that kind of love. A love for a lifetime with his best friend. It was actually a clear vision–easy to imagine.

He glanced out at the crowd, and shifting caught his attention. Trey rested his arm behind his date. The woman was nothing like Olivia. What screws had to be loose in a guy's head to make him think cheating was a good idea?

Then the flamboyant shirt he'd seen earlier stood out. Dawson wasn't looking forward to making small talk with Olivia's date for the evening.

Just as Olivia promised, the service was over quickly, and the newlywed couple kissed to cheers, whistles, and hoots. The music started up again as Asa and Lyric made their way out as a married couple.

Dawson walked down a couple of steps and held out an arm for Olivia. Any unease inside him settled when she took her place at his side. He tucked her close and imagined walking the aisle in a church with her again one day. They might be years from it right now, but he had plenty of hope left.

After the ceremony, Gloria led the bridal party outside for some group photos with Asa and Lyric. Dawson stood where he was told, which was usually beside Olivia, and smiled when prompted.

Jacob was right. Dawson's cheeks were already twitching. He should be conditioned for this. He smiled all the time.

The reception was held in an old barn at Silver Falls Ranch that the Bensons were hoping to get up and going for more events. The place was plenty big enough, and the twinkle lights and drapes Olivia had hung from the rafters gave it a romantic feel.

Once the bride and groom had been introduced, everyone was free to get food and move around. Asa and Lyric hadn't assigned seats, but Dawson made a point to claim his spot at Olivia's table.

Of course, that meant he had to share air space with the peacock. Thankfully, his friends Asher and Haley had claimed two other seats, and Lauren had another.

Lauren had been involved in an abduction and assault a few months back, and the sweet librarian had been on the Blackwater police force radar ever since. The tiny town was generally safe, but Lauren had brushed a little too close to death that night.

Dawson still had flashbacks about that gunshot–the one that hit Asa but was meant for Lauren. The Wilson brothers who'd held her against her will were up for trial soon, and hopefully, justice would be served.

Haley Harding set a plate on the table and took the seat on the other side of Lauren. "Hey, girl. How's the remodel going?"

Lauren's eyes lifted at the corners. The woman always lit up at the mention of the local library or the kids in her Sunday School classes.

"It's going great. I've been ready to get that old carpet from the seventies out of the library since I started. It was threadbare in some places."

Haley's husband, Asher, appeared at the table, bouncing their son, Caleb, on his hip.

"Hey, man. How's life?"

"Any better and I'd be you," Dawson said as he stood to shake hands. "How are your folks?"

"Good as gold." Asher jerked his head toward Lauren and leaned in to whisper, "You got any good news on the Wilsons?"

Lauren's abduction had rattled the whole county. She was the hometown sweetheart–the last person anyone expected to be targeted by criminals. Unfortunately, her cousin owed the brothers money, and they'd seen her as their bartering tool.

"Trial coming up. I imagine they'll be locked up for a while."

Asher shook his head. "No sign of Rome?"

"Not yet, but I'm hoping Zach will talk." Zach and Bobby Wilson had been tight-lipped about their brother's whereabouts since the incident, but Asa and Dawson had made their own opinions about what had gone on that night.

Bobby would have shot Lauren had Zach not interfered. That gave plenty of room for questions. The brothers were partners in crime, but it seemed they weren't on the same page when it came to murder.

"I'll sleep better at night knowing they're off the streets," Asher said.

Olivia marched over to the table with a plate in one hand and a punch cup in the other. Her eyes were wide, and she avoided eye contact until she plopped down in a seat next to Dawson.

Mark was right behind her and took the seat next to Asher. The conversation about the Wilsons would have to wait for another time.

Olivia spread her napkin in her lap. The smile on her face was completely fake. Dawson had seen it plenty of times before.

"Olivia! This wedding is gorgeous," Haley gushed. "Everly has been admiring your planning work all afternoon. You know she's one of the wedding planners at Wolf Creek Ranch."

"I heard about that." Now Olivia was truly smiling.

The women talked about the beautiful decorations and Lyric's dress, while the men tried to make baby Caleb laugh with ridiculous faces.

Well, that's what Asher and Dawson were doing. Mark was doing everything he could to sneak into the ladies' conversation. Dawson was focused on Caleb, but he kept one ear open for everything else happening around him. The guy was plain rude, and Olivia kept giving Lauren and Haley apologetic looks.

The guy hadn't even said anything about how beautiful Olivia was. He could have mentioned something while in line getting food, but since they'd been at the table, he hadn't said a word about anyone but himself.

Dawson glanced over at Olivia just as Mark reached his hand toward her under the table. Olivia kept her attention on Lauren, but her jaw tightened. Her arm slid toward him, clearly moving the guy's hand back into his own lap.

Dawson's neck heated as his hand fisted on the table. The guy definitely had a death wish. He had no idea how close he was to having that hand pinned behind his back.

Now, Dawson wasn't paying enough attention to baby Caleb, who started to cry. Asher stood and picked up a light-green backpack. "Duty calls."

Soon, everyone was milling around and dancing. Dawson took a few turns around the floor with some ladies, while keeping one eye on Olivia and Mark. The guy was definitely too touchy-feely.

After a few dances, Olivia stepped away from Mark and pointed toward the exit. Mark made a move to follow her, but she held up a hand, shooing him back with a plastered-on smile.

Dude, she's trying to get away from you. Back off.

Dawson was about to saddle up to the peacock to give a stern but gentle warning when Beau intercepted Mark first. He'd probably noticed Olivia trying to shed her date for a while, and Beau's warning wouldn't be easily dismissed. If Dawson hadn't known him since they were kids, he'd assume Beau was more bark than bite.

Perfect. Mark was getting spoon-fed the hint, Trey was brooding at a table in the corner while his date cha-cha'd a little too hard on the dance floor, and Dawson was overdue for some punch.