Chapter 2

chapter

two

Greyson

Though I'd really fucking like to see her out of it more than in it. I run my hand over my beard, tugging it to remind myself what's about to happen. I'm going to marry the girl I've been in love with since I was a damn kid.

This is not exactly how I thought today would go. I shove my hand in the pocket of my starched Wranglers and palm the small ring box.

This box contains the ring I bought for Bella when I was just seventeen. I bought it because I was sure she'd one day be my bride. But then she moved away from Saddle Creek, and I thought those dreams were lost forever.

I kept the ring though. Over the years, I've needed the reminder that when life doesn't work out as you plan, you get up and keep going.

I brought this with me today to remind myself that Annabelle doesn't belong to me. This entire trip was intended to be my final goodbye.

Not to Bella herself, but the dream I'd always had of us ending up together.

Then, I got that text.

Maybe we're not as finished as I thought.

By the time I walk back through the hallway to get to the restaurant area, Bella's sister is there waiting for me.

She's smirking, but I don't even care. I grab her and pull her into a hug.

"Lizzie," I say into her hair.

"Hey, big guy. She texted me and I'm supposed to get you to the right spot."

I nod. "Let's do this."

She walks me around the main doors to another hall that leads to what I'm guessing are offices. Then she points to a door down to the left. "Right through there."

"Good to see you, Lizzie."

"You too. And thank you for what you're doing for us."

I don't think too much on the fact that she said us, but it is enough to stick in my mind. She probably just meant the fact that I'm helping Bella. They've always come as a pair. Like me and my brother, Landry.

Though admittedly Annabelle was always more protective than I was of my sibling, despite the fact that she's the younger sister. It helped that me and that fucker are about the same size. But also, those two girls had things a lot rougher than we did at the Hendricks house.

I step through the doors and find myself walking to the front of the crowd. It's not a large group of guests. Probably less than fifty. I glance at the wall of windows that showcase the crystal clear water beyond the resort.

Murmurs spread through the crowd, and no doubt they're noticing I'm not the groom they planned to see.

I have no idea what went sideways—why he's not here and I am.

Well, that idiot's loss is my gain.

Music starts, and the double doors at the back open to reveal Lizzie holding a bouquet. My periphery catches a glimpse of the white behind her.

My bride.

Won't my brother get a good laugh at how this trip is unfolding. Lizzie gives me a wink as she walks to stand in her place.

Then the wedding march begins, and the attendees come to their feet. I hear that more than see it because now my gaze is locked on the prettiest damn woman I've ever seen.

No veil, her blonde hair is pulled back in some sort of braid. All this means is I've got a clear view of her gorgeous face. She's smiling at me, and I know I'm grinning back at her. No doubt looking like a lovesick fool.

My eyes travel down her body, taking in the way her dress accents her full curves. The plunging neckline. The tight bodice that nips in at her waist and then flairs out for a full skirt. Fuck, her tits look fantastic in that.

Now is not the time to get a hard-on, I tell myself.

Finally, she reaches me and smiles up at me.

"Hi, stranger," she whispers.

"Hey, darlin'. You look," I have to swallow because it feels like I'm choking. "You look beautiful, Bella."

She beams at me. My mama used to call that her Greyson smile because she said she never saw Annabelle give it to anyone else.

The preacher or judge or whoever the guy in the suit is stands by us. He talks to the crowd, and I grab my bride's hands.

Something hard pokes into my palm and I realize she's handing me something. I grab it, recognizing the shape as a ring and give her a nod.

Seems strange she'd want to marry me with another man's ring, but there's no time to ask questions right now.

The ceremony goes relatively quickly until we hit the vows.

I stare into Annabelle's soft hazel eyes and repeat after the officiant. Despite the furious pounding of my heart, my voice comes out clear.

"I, Greyson Hendricks, take you, Annabelle Greer, to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'til death parts us."

I put the ring on her finger, briefly noticing that it's an enormous diamond. She'd probably laugh at the puny one in my pocket.

She repeats her vow, giving me the same promises I just gave her.

Then she slides a band on my left ring finger. The weight of the metal feels foreign, and right all at the same time.

"You may kiss your bride."

He doesn't have to tell me twice. I've imagined mine and Bella's first kiss so many times, it's ridiculous. Never in my mind did I think it would be at our wedding.

I cup her face and bring my lips down to hers. I intend to give her a quick, chaste kiss, but one touch from her soft lips and my intensions fly out the window. I slant my mouth across hers and deepen the kiss.

I will never get enough of this woman.

The officiant clears his throat. "May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Greyson Hendricks."

I grab Annabelle's hand and give her a smile.