Dad gives a sober nod, and soon enough he’s walking us at an even tempo until we hit the aisle runner and pause. Every guest stands at attention and looks my way, but the only face I see is my handsome fiancé’s.
“Jasper Wilder,” I whisper as my breathing picks up.
I float down the aisle, unaware of another living soul as my eyes remain trained on his. Jasper is dapper in his dark gray suit, that silver tie that matches his lighting bright eyes. His chest is broad as if he’s holding his breath, and his eyes begin to glint as they fill with tears.
Bizzy Baker. He nods my way. You outshine the sun. Your beauty leaves me speechless. Thank you for choosing me.
I hit the end of the aisle, and my father lands a kiss to my cheek before taking a seat.
Jasper sheds a slow spreading grin, and it never lets up.
Georgie Conner stands before us in a light pink kaftan bejeweled with sequins as she sparkles inside and out while leading Jasper and me straight into our vows. We exchange our heartfelt words, our unspoken sentiments, and just like that, we’re married.
Georgie nods to the crowd. “I’d like to introduce to you—Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Baker Wilder.”
The crowd erupts with cheers as Jasper pulls me in.
“Bizzy Baker Wilder,” he nods. “I love it. And I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Georgie belts out a sharp whistle. “Don’t just stand there, knock lips.”
And we do.
Jasper and I kiss as if we were the only two people on the planet, with all the time in the world.
Sherlock lets out a few sharp barks. Jasper gets the girl, and I get the bacon! Bacon, please, bacon!
Fish yowls. So the begging begins. Bizzy gets her happily ever after, and I get a fuzzball obsessed with fried meat. She mewls once again. What the heck, welcome to the family, Detective Bones.
Jasper and I run down the aisle amidst a sea of bubbles, and before long we’re surrounded by friends and family. All of Jasper’s brothers, his sister, her husband, and their sweet baby girl, Willow. His father, whom I met all of a couple of hours ago, and, of course, his mother, Gwyn, congratulate us.
“We’re family now.” Gwyneth looks to my father. “I knew we’d end up here one way or another.” She cuts a glance my way. Let’s hope they make it a year. She scans the crowd. Didn’t I see Camila here?
My mouth falls open as my mother and sister crop up.
“Oh, Bizzy.” My mother shakes her head with tears in her eyes. “Thank you for making a decent woman out of me.”
A laugh bubbles from me. “I think you have that backwards, sort of. Jasper made a decent woman out of me.”
“No, I meant it.” She waves it off. Her hair is feathered perfectly, and her lips are a stunning shade of red. “I’ve finally got a married daughter to brag about at bingo.”
Macy shrugs. “Better you than me, Bizzy. Congrats.” She pulls Alex in close, with his dark hair and green eyes. “That is, unless you’re feeling inspired?” She gives his ribs a pinch, and we all share a laugh.
Lottie, Everett, Noah, and Carlotta all offer up their congratulations.
Georgie comes over and quickly links arms with Carlotta.
“So where are we going, kid?” Georgie socks Jasper on the arm and he sucks in a quick breath.
“Careful,” I say. “He’s still healing.”
“I’m fine.” Jasper insists. “In fact, I’ve never been better.”
Everett nods our way. “Where’s the honeymoon?”
Jasper and I open and close our mouths.
I shrug over at the small crowd with their eyes feasted on us.
“We were going to stay here,” I say. “You know, the beach, the inn… We initially only thought we’d have a few days. I mean, Jasper has two weeks now, but I’m—”
“Not working,” Emmie says as she comes up from behind with Leo by her side. “I’m covering for you. Take the two weeks and go wherever you want. Consider it a wedding gift.”
“Emmie! It’s the best wedding gift ever!” I throw my arms around her as the crowd around us cheers.
Emmie pulls back. “So where are you headed? You’re not allowed to stay at my inn. I know you. You’ll be tempted to micromanage. And before we know it, you’ll be back behind the counter.”
“But we don’t have anywhere else to go, and I can’t imagine where we’d get a decent place at the last minute.”
Noah and Lottie exchange a look and he nods.
“I have an idea.” Noah wraps an arm around Lottie. “We happen to own the Maple Meadows Lodge near Honey Hollow. You’re welcome to stay there. Consider it our wedding gift.”
Lottie nods. “The honeymoon suite, of course. And it’s all-inclusive.” She gives a little wink. “With a steady supply of champagne—on the house.”
A laugh bubbles from me. “I guess we can’t say no.”
Georgie and Carlotta begin to whoop and cheer.
“Hear that, Gray?” Carlotta gives Georgie a little rattle in her matching pink sequined kaftan. Carlotta and Georgie are sticklers for dressing identically whenever they’re together. “We’re getting all the champagne we can drink!”
A dark laugh bleats from Georgie. “And, boy, can I put it away.”
Juni jumps into our circle, looking oddly formal in a black leather dress that looks as if it’s been vacuum-sealed to her body.
“You’re not leaving without me, Mama. Give me ten minutes to throw my fishnets in a bag.”
The crowd around us laughs at the thought, but Jasper and I exchange a brief look because we know they’re serious as that heart attack they’ll give us once they show up on our doorstep.
The photographer wrangles us, and we take enough pictures to fill ten albums and hard drives. Then right after, Leo and Emmie give impeccable and somewhat hilarious toasts. The buffet on the shore is perfect. The sunset is sublime. Jasper and I dance, slow and heated, we
