Pick Your Battles: The Wedding
Heading Into Battle
Ford answered the video call from his dad with a smile. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hello, Ford. How are you doing?”
He laughed. “Better than I ever expected.” Hell, he was about to marry a woman so much brighter than anyone he’d met. She filled him up and made him a better man just by existing.
He swallowed hard, making his dad’s eyes mist up.
Jim blinked and then grinned. “Can you handle some company?”
Ford’s heart filled. “You’re coming?”
Jim grinned. “We’re here. In your driveway.”
We? Ford disconnected, shoved his phone in his pocket and thundered down the stairs and out of the farmhouse.
He raced around to the driveway and stumbled to a stop.
Two vans were parked in the driveway and his entire family stood there. His dad, all his brothers, Mara.
Ford’s throat swelled and he had to blink hard to contain the emotion. He’d thought he was going to burst with joy before, but this made everything even better.
Then he was surrounded by hugs and laughter.
“I can’t believe you’re all here. Who’s running the company?”
Jim shrugged. “Who cares? My boy’s getting married and there’s nothing more important than being here.”
Ford laughed. His dad and brothers ran the physical parts of the business, but there were more employees who ran the office and helped with the construction.
He hugged his dad again. “It means so much to me that you’d be here.”
Will slapped his shoulder. “You love this place so much, we wanted to check it out. And be here for you.”
“Thanks. I’m so glad to see everyone.”
Mara grinned at him. “We all love Jolie, but it’ll be nice to meet her in person.”
Dan groaned. “Just don’t sing the Jolie Roger song and it’ll be great.”
Clark shook his head. “Or Holly Jolie Christmas.”
Mara laughed. “I could change it to a Holly Jolie Wedding.”
The men all groaned but of course that didn’t stop Mara from signing.
It was so good to have his wacky family here.
Battling Tears
Jolie flounced the skirt of the dress she wore. She’d bought it online from a woman who worked in Bloo Moose, Vermont. As well as creating new dresses from scratch, Nia Alexander blended together new designs from vintage wedding dresses. She designed them for each individual.
Jolie’s dress was fun and swung around her knees. The dress was white with soft yellow, blue, and pink flowers decorating the skirt. It made her feel feminine and happy. Still, she wasn’t sure. “I’m not used to wearing dresses. Are you sure I don’t look awkward?”
Amber laughed. “You look fabulous. Sexy and happy. Ford’s going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
“The boots don’t ruin it?” She’d ordered new rubber boots for the day. When she’d contacted the company that Ford had worked with to make her mermaid waders, they’d been thrilled with the new challenge.
These rubber boots rose to just over her ankles. They were mostly white, but they’d taken the flower pattern from Jolie’s dress and replicated it for the boots. To her, they were gorgeous.
Amber grinned. “They make it better, Joles. You’re you and wearing fun rubber boots is perfect. You know Ford finds you sexy in your boots.”
Very true. They’d had more than a few memorable moments that involved rubber boots and chest waders.
Jolie, Amber, and Thea were preparing for the day in Thea’s former cabin at the back of the property. It was the closest building to the pond where she and Ford had chosen to exchange their vows. The pond was the reason they’d spent so much time together. It was the reason she’d come to the farm and the place that had given her the chance to find the man she’d love for the rest of her life.
He’d asked her to marry him when he’d given her mermaid chest waders. She didn’t have to worry about being someone else when she was with Ford. She could be herself because he loved her.
Jolie blew out a slow breath and blinked. “He loves me.”
Thea grinned. “He sure does. His face lights up every time he sees you. You’ve got yourself a good one, Jolie.”
Heart full, Jolie nodded.
A knock on the door preceded a deep male voice. “Are you ladies ready?”
Burke.
Amber opened the door and her oldest brother entered.
His gaze locked on Jolie’s and his soft smile had her eyes filling. Then he looked over her outfit and he chuckled. “Only you, Jolie. You’re beautiful, baby sister. Dodge is going to fall at your feet.”
Then his strong arms wrapped her in a hug. He’d always been there for her. Before their parents had been killed, but even more so after their deaths.
“Thanks for doing this, Burke. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me over the years. You’re an amazing brother and I love you so much.”
His arms tightened and she heard him pull in a deep breath. “I love you too, Jolie. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become and I’m happy you’ve found a man who appreciates you.”
“So you don’t want to beat him up anymore?”
Burke laughed. “Not as long as he continues to worship you.”
She swallowed hard. “I wish they were all here.”
Burke nodded, knowing she meant their parents and Fox. “Me too. They’d all be happy for you. Proud of you, too.”
She blinked hard against the tears, not wanting to have red eyes and blotchy skin when she saw Ford.
Amber’s hands rubbed her arms. Her voice was watery when she spoke. “It’s time, Jolie. Let’s get you married.”
She couldn’t wait.
Battle Ready
Ford waited impatiently beside the arbour he’d built for the ceremony. The clearing by the pond was the perfect place for their wedding. The pond and this clearing were central to his relationship with Jolie.
Adding a pretty arbour covered in flowers brightened up the spot for her. As would the pots of flowers they’d added. He wanted her to smile every time she thought of their wedding and when they looked at the photos.
Ford resisted checking the time. He wanted it to hurry ahead so he could be married, make Jolie officially his.
Knox slapped him on the shoulder. “Boss Man says they’re ready. You?”
Ford grinned. “More than ready. Let’s do this.”
His buddy grinned and pointed Ford to his spot by the arbour.
Someone played music over a speaker. When the song clicked in his brain, he knew it was Mara. “Somebody’s Getting Married” from The Muppets Take Manhattan.
The silliness of the song had everyone laughing. He grinned at his sister and then his attention was snagged as Thea and Amber walked through the trees together.
He and Jolie hadn’t chosen a wedding party, instead they were surrounded by their families and close friends. Both of their families had come. All of them.
He figured the ones they’d lost were somehow watching. His mom, Jolie’s parents, Fox, and Jay. They’d all be happy to see the farm being full of life again. Full of love.
Then Ford’s breath snagged in his throat as Jolie walked through the trees on Burke’s arm.
Ford didn’t spare Boss Man a look. All he could see was Jolie.
Pretty dress with flowers dancing on the skirt and swirling around her gorgeous legs.
Short rubber boots with matching flowers that shouldn’t have been sexy as hell, but were.
He was marrying one hell of a woman. He grinned like an obsessed fool as they neared him.
Burke hugged Jolie then shook Ford’s hand. “Take care of her.”
“With my last breath.”
Jolie rolled her eyes, but the joy spreading on her face ruined the effect.
Ford lifted her hands to kiss them, then decided not to stop there. He leaned in and kissed her softly. “You’re stunning, Jolie. Sexy, gorgeous, and I love the boots.”
She laughed and kissed him, ran her hands up his new button-down that matched the blue flowers on her dress. “Thanks, Handsome.”
Knox cleared his throat dramatically. “Jumping the gun, Dodge. Hands to yourself for a few minutes.”
Ford grinned and kissed Jolie again, but managed to keep it short. He had the rest of his life to make up for it.
Victory
Jolie couldn’t stop smiling. Ford, dashing in his crisp new shirt and jacket, looked at her with such love in his eyes, she thought she might burst with happiness.
Their families surrounded them and she was sure she could feel the love of the others they’d lost.
Knox spoke again. “I know you were expecting Troy to perform the ceremony, but I thought it would be fun to get my celebrant qualifications, too.”
Ford squeezed her hands and chuckled.
Jolie grinned at her brother. “You became an officiant? For us?”
He nodded and she let go of one of Ford’s hands to hug him. “Thank you.”
Knox squeezed her back and then spoke for the crowd. “These two first met when my team and I were working overseas. I knew we were in trouble when Dodge started drooling and my baby sister had little hearts circling her head just like a cartoon.”
Jolie wanted to protest but she was pretty sure her brother was right about those hearts.
“I knew my best friend would fit right in here at the farm. I’m not surprised he fits right in with our family, and most importantly with Jolie.”
She blinked back tears when Knox asked her to say her vows. Ford squeezed her hands and she managed to clear her throat of tears. “I have to admit that Knox is completely right about my crush. But that crush changed. Instead of weakening, it grew as I got to know you. As I learned what an incredible man you are.”
Ford’s eyes never left hers.
“I love everything about you, Ford. Your inner strength, your commitment to helping, your moral goodness. You make me feel cherished, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you. I promise to love you always and to take care of your heart.”
Ford’s smile was soft and sweet. He lifted one hand to brush away the tear that had slipped out.
“I love you, Jolie. You are so bright and beautiful. I love your optimism and your love of potential.”
That had her smiling and the crowd chuckling.
“I love your commitment to improving the world and your love of birds and animals. I especially love your fashion sense and your fabulous boots.”
When the crowd laughed again, his eyes darkened. “I promise to love you, to protect you, to cherish you for now and for always. I love you, Jolie and I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it.”
His lips met hers even as she heard Knox declare them husband and wife.
Then Ford’s kiss made her forget everything else.
A Battle Of Wits
Ford watched Jolie dance with her brother Lawson. The clearing was crowded with people, with laughter, and with love.
He was the happiest he’d ever been and the future looked even better.
His dad’s hand slapped him on the shoulder. “Married. My youngest boy is married. How’s it feel, son?”
Ford grinned. “Amazing. I don’t think it’s possible to be any happier.”
Jim smiled. “I bet you’ll find out differently. That girl is a treasure and the two of you fit together. Your mom would have loved her.”
Ford nodded. “I think so, too. Jolie’s incredible. It’s impossible not to love her.”
“I know you’ll do just that for the rest of your life. I think it’s time I danced with the bride.”
Ford grinned as his dad crossed the pond and tapped Lawson on the shoulder so he could cut in. Bobby, his buddy’s callsign, laughed and executed a bow as he handed over Jolie’s hand.
She’d been thrilled to see Ford’s family and she’d fit right in.
Mara slid her arm around Ford’s and squeezed. “Congratulations, Ford. Jolie’s wonderful and proves you have excellent taste.”
He patted her hand. “Thanks. I bet the two of you will be great friends.”
Mara nodded. “I think so, too. Did you see how her face lit up when I played the Muppets song as she crossed the clearing? The woman has class.”
He laughed. “I think she lit up because she saw me.”
Mara patted his hand. “You keep on thinking that. Although you do look incredibly handsome. I sent you a playlist for tonight. Once you get back to the cabin, just hit play and it’ll set the mood.”
“More Muppets? Maybe Munchkins?”
Mara laughed. “No yellow-brick roads. Trust me.”
“Always.” Because as much as Mara loved anything silly, she had a heart of gold. He imagined the playlist would be sultry. Which sounded about perfect.
He checked the time. “Do you think I can pull her away from the party yet?”
Mara laughed. “Not yet. We still have cake and toasts.”
He groaned. “It’s just family. We don’t need toasts.”
She squeezed his arm. “And miss the opportunity for your brothers to rag on you? Not a chance.”
Hell.
On The Battlefield
Jolie laughed. Again. Ford’s family were having fun toasting their youngest brother. They’d all wanted to speak, and despite Ford’s protests, they had.
Hilariously. They’d told stories of how the youngest boy had tried to keep up with the rest. Pulling nails out of boards at three. Shooting a nail gun that almost took out Clark’s eye at four. Fixing the dining room table at five.
The stories had been sweet and fun. Ford had rolled his eyes more than once, but he’d also laughed with everyone else. No one was out to ruin the day or the mood.
Burke spoke up. “My turn.”
Oh no. She leaned into Ford and he tightened his arm around her. “It’s all good, Jolie. Boss Man loves you.”
True. Still, she braced herself.
Burke smiled at her and her worries vanished.
“I don’t know if being the youngest in a large family is the easiest or the most difficult.”
“Definitely the most difficult.” Mara’s grumble had everyone laughing.
Burke lifted his glass at Mara in acknowledgement. “I think Jolie might agree. She was always trying to keep up, always trying to do something better than the rest of us.”
He grinned. “It didn’t take long for Fox to help Jolie find her own way. The day she came home with two scraggly bean plants might be the day she decided her future. She and Fox spent hours cultivating her garden and learning about the environment. We never dared toss a recyclable in the garbage with either of them around.”
Burke’s eyes misted. “We’re all so damn proud of you and the woman you’ve become, Jolie. You’re a passionate defender of the environment and its creatures. I don’t know anyone else who would let her ducks wander about during her wedding.”
Jolie’s tears dried up. “They had to be part of the party.”
Ford kissed her hair and Burke laughed. “Exactly. We’re all happy for you, baby sis. Here’s to many decades of happiness ahead of you.”
Then he stared at Ford. “Don’t screw it up.”
The entire crowd laughed at that. Ford twirled her into a dance and then dipped her over his arm to kiss her. While the rest cheered, he whispered against her lips. “Never.”
Spoils Of War
Enough was enough.
Ford wanted his bride to himself. He’d loved having both families here for the ceremony and the party. Now, he was done.
Jolie was his.
He strode across the clearing to where Jolie was dancing with her brother, Knox.
“Cutting in.”
Knox grinned at him. “Finally? Surprised you lasted this long.”
Jolie’s eyes twinkled up at him as she melted into his arms. “Can we go?”
He nodded and turned them toward Thea’s former cabin. They’d stay there for the night while the rest of the crowd shared the farmhouse. He wanted privacy for their first night together.
They hadn’t planned a honeymoon as they were having way too much fun at the farm. Maybe in a slower season they’d get away for a few days. The details didn’t matter. Only Jolie did.
They tried to sneak off, but of course, that didn’t happen. Lawson called out. “The newlyweds are sneaking away.”
With a grimace, Ford sighed and turned around. “Thanks everyone. We’re thrilled you all were here.” He wanted to add Now, go away, but managed to hold it in.
Jolie smiled at him as if she could read his thoughts. “Thanks for everything. We love you all. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Ford’s smile grew feral and he swooped her up into his arms. “Or the next day.”
Then he strode off to cheers from the crowd. The music changed to Walking On Sunshine, making him laugh. Trust Mara to know exactly how he felt. Walking with Sunshine might be more appropriate but this was close.
It didn’t take long to reach the cabin. Soft light had from the windows had the cabin glowing softly.
He stopped outside the door and grinned down at the woman in his arms. “I’ll carry you over the threshold to our room another day, for now, we’ll use this one to cross into our new life.”
Jolie smiled. “Our married life. I love the sound of that.”
He walked in and kicked the door shut behind him.
Someone had been inside earlier.
Jolie gasped as she took in the soft lanterns lighting the space. Flowers stood in vases. Petals were strewn over the bed. A bottle of champagne cooled in a bucket on the table. Glasses, plates of chocolates and fruit sat beside it.
“Looks like Amber has been weaving her magic.”
He nodded. “Your sister is my new favorite person. She knows how to set a mood. Not that I need anything but you to have me on the edge of control, but this is nice.”
Jolie laughed and ran her arms around his neck. “I don’t need anything other than you either, husband.”
His body revved even higher at the word and her possessive tone. “Sounds good, wife.”
He shifted and lowered her feet to the ground before tugging her into a dance. “Mara set us a playlist and said to trust her.”
Jolie laughed. “Her Muppets choice made me happy.”
He grinned and clicked the playlist. Soft, sexy, music filled the air. Something jazzy and with a beat that matched the need pounding in his blood.
Jolie pressed her sexy body into his. “Perfect.”
Then she reached up to kiss him.
They danced, touching, teasing, building the anticipation.
He turned her gently as they danced until her back faced him. Tiny buttons ran from the top of the dress to her waist. And a little lower again.
He kissed her skin just above the neckline of the dress and undid the first button. Shivers covered her skin and he moved down to the next, kissing and licking the skin he exposed.
Jolie’s soft purrs spurred him on but he kept his pace as slow as he could manage. “You’re so beautiful, Jolie. I’m going to kiss every sexy inch. And then I’m going to do it again. And again. Forever.”
He slid down the top of her dress and brought his lips to her shoulders, down her spine.
When her knees wobbled, she moaned out his name and he twirled her again.
His started with her mouth, trailed down to her jaw, her collarbone, then to the valley between her breasts. He eased the dress over her hips, letting it pool on the floor.
A peek at her sexy lingerie had him chuckling and his need ramping up at the same time. “Sexy, silky lingerie with tiny yellow ducks. You bring me to my knees, Jolie.”
She laughed, but the sound was soft and breathless. “We’re such a perfect pair.”
He grinned and kissed her again. “We sure are.”
Ford lifted her and set her gently on the bed, kicked off his shoes. “Now, I think I’ll start with the duckies on the top and work my way down.”
He licked the duck that covered her nipple and then sucked it into his mouth. Jolie arched into his touch and her breathing grew shallow.
“One duck down, many to go.”
Jolie’s sexy laugh had him kissing the next duck.
By the time he reached the final duck on her panties, she’d flown over the edge three times and he was desperate for her.
“I need you, Ford.”
He shucked the rest of his clothes in record time and grab one of the condoms resting on the night stand. “I need you, too, Jolie. Forever.”
“For always.”
On her words he slid into her and they went soaring into the future together.
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this bonus scene to the No Fail Heroes Romantic Suspense series!
The next book in the series is Pick Yourself Up spotlighting Amber and Gray
