Pick Your Spot: The Wedding
Early Bird
Thea Zimmer hadn’t used the cabin in weeks. It had been her home when she’d first arrived at the farm with Jay. Her first home of her own. Well, she hadn’t paid rent, but Jay had given it to her as part of her wages.
The simple space was filled with leftovers from the farmhouses and appliances that were older than Thea. Being here filled Thea with so many good memories.
Memories of Jay, and the feeling of rightness that working here had given her. The first time Fox had loped into the cabin to take a treat from her.
And all the memories of her and Knox. Their first time making love had been outside but this cabin teemed with sexy memories.
Not that she should be thinking about that with Knox’s sister here with her.
Jolie sparkled in a sunny dress that showed off her long legs and happy nature. “You’re beautiful, Jolie.”
Her new friend laughed. “That’s my line, Thea. You’re absolutely stunning, and my brother is going to swallow his tongue.”
“Let me see.” Amber demanded from Jolie’s phone.
Knox’s other sister hadn’t been able to get away from work for the day but she didn’t want to miss it either. Jolie had her on video chat which worked because she’d finally got a new phone. Thea liked the quiet woman, and hoped she would someday make it to the farm as well.
Jolie held the phone and twirled her finger in the air. “Spin slowly for Amber. Let her see the details. The dress is perfect for you.”
That made Thea smile. It was. But then, she supposed all brides felt that way. Or she hoped they did. Wedding dresses should be perfect.
Jolie had helped her shop online and they’d found this one. Knee length with a skirt that danced.
Thea hadn’t wanted a fancy wedding. She’d never been a fancy person. But Knox had wanted them to have good memories, so she’d ordered a new dress. He’d never seen her in a dress because she couldn’t remember ever wearing one.
There wasn’t a full-length mirror in the cabin but Jolie snapped photos with her phone so Thea could see herself.
Amber smiled. “I love the dress. It fits you perfectly. Soft and simple with enough flirt in the skirt to have Knox turning stupid.”
Thea laughed. She wasn’t sure about that but the dress made her feel flirty and confident. “I can’t believe I’m getting married.”
She hadn’t meant to say that out loud but the other two women laughed. Jolie grinned. “The first Malssum to tie the knot. He’s going to make sure you’re happy.”
Thea smiled. “I know. He’s an amazing man. The best man I know.”
Jolie and Amber both blinked hard at her words. “We definitely got lucky in the brother department. They’re all great guys but I’m glad you’re biased toward Knox.”
A knock at the door preceded Elina’s voice calling out. “I bring flowers, and demands from a handsome groom to bring out his bride so he can be a married man.”
Laughing, Thea opened the door, and headed out to her future.
Can't Pick Your Family
Knox Malssum blew out another deep breath, and shot his cuffs through his jacket. His new jacket. Thea had suggested they just wear their best jeans but he’d wanted more.
Mostly because he didn’t think she’d had enough more in her life. No one had ever put her first, and she deserved that. Deserved so much more than that. She was incredible, and she deserved everything.
A loud whistle had him tearing his attention away from the direction of the cabin, to the road leading back up to the farmhouse.
Andy Gammon was in jail in Montpelier but Knox was never going to take Thea’s safety for granted.
Instead of a villain lurking in the trees trying to ruin their day, Knox spied his brothers walking down the road.
He whooped out a welcome, and jogged to meet them. Burke and Lawson laughed as they met in a tangle of arms and backslaps. “You came.”
Lawson grinned. “Of course we came.”
Burke nodded. “Wouldn’t miss it. Amber couldn’t get away but we switched around some schedules to get a couple of days. Couldn’t let the baby brother get married without us.”
Knox didn’t even bother to argue with the baby part. Over the years, they’d taken great joy in calling him the baby of the boys. Letting them know it got to him only made things worse.
“It’s so good to see you both. I can’t wait for you to meet Thea for real.”
Lawson laughed. “She’s great, and we’re going to love her. Just be glad she didn’t meet us first or you wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
Knox rolled his eyes. “With your ugly mugs? She’s all mine.”
Burke nodded. “And we’re happy for you.”
“Come and meet the others.” He quickly introduced them to his new friends but his eyes kept drifting to the path Thea would take to their impromptu wedding chapel.
Lawson grinned. “I can’t believe you’re getting married beside a compost facility.”
He laughed. “It’s a Worminator, thank you very much. And it’s perfect.”
Burke shoved him. “Because you’re full of shit?”
Knox laughed. “Not me, but we thought you two would feel at home.”
In reality, the Worminator had been one of the things that had brought the two of them together. While they’d have the small party at the farmhouse afterward, they wanted this to be where they exchanged their vows.
He knew Thea hoped Fox would appear but he worried there would be too many people for the dog. If they had the ceremony at the house, there was no chance he would show up. Here, there was a chance.
A ripple ran over his skin, and he turned to see the women walking through the trees. So far, he could only see glimpses of fabric, but Thea was there.
He could feel his bride walking toward him.
“Let’s get me married.”
Glow Worm
Thea bounced as they neared the site of their wedding. The white sneakers she wore weren’t as comfortable as her work boots but she hadn’t wanted to wear those. It would have made Knox laugh but she didn’t want to be embarrassed by the pictures later. The pretty sneakers with touches of lace were a perfect compromise.
Jolie and Elina also wore sneakers with their dresses. The orchard wasn’t a place for heels, and her friends weren’t any more used to wearing fancy shoes than she was.
Friends. She still struggled to believe she had so many. Good friends.
Love. She struggled with that one, too. But waking up with Knox’s arms around her every day had her believing. With her whole heart and soul.
She loved and was loved in return.
Unbelievable, yet she believed it.
Jolie smiled at her. “You’re glowing.”
Thea laughed. “I feel like it. As a kid, I would never have believed I would be this happy.”
Elina laughed. “I know the feeling. I’m so glad you’re getting your happy ending, Thea. Although, it’s not an ending. Not even close.”
She smiled. “You’re right. It’s our beginning.”
She knew they were closing in on the clearing by the Worminator, and she was thrilled to hear Fox’s happy bark as he bounded out of the trees toward them.
The dog jumped up to put his hands on her shoulders and she hugged him hard. “Hey, Fox. Thanks for coming. I was hoping you would. Any chance you want to walk me down the aisle so we can see Knox?”
The dog couldn’t possibly understand her but when he wiggled down, the other two women had walked a bit ahead. They knew Fox wasn’t a big fan of crowds, and they were giving him a bit of space.
“Let’s go see Knox. Come on.”
She was thrilled when Fox trotted along beside her. When they broke through the trees to see the group ahead of them, her eyes locked on Knox.
Knox’s smile was full of love, and drew her forward. She kept her hand on Fox’s head, hoping he would stay with her until he had a chance to greet his other favorite human.
She couldn’t look away from her groom but she heard the noise settle into a quiet hum. The people here knew Fox, and knew they’d hoped he would come.
Knox wore new jeans, a crisp white shirt, and a black jacket. She hoped she didn’t drool. The man could grace the cover of any magazine. And he was all hers.
As they got closer, Knox’s eyes never left hers. Not until Fox bounded forward, and up for his hug. She watched Knox’s smile as he returned the embrace then looked back at her.
So much love passed between them she wondered she didn’t melt into a pile of goo right on the spot.
Fox sat beside Knox as she reached the pair. Knox took her hands. “You’re absolutely stunning. Perfection.”
She laughed. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”
Then his lips were on hers. She heard the crowd laughing and cheering but she didn’t pull back from the kiss. Not until her legs were jelly.
Knox finally pulled back and rested his forehead on hers. “Love you, Thea. Let’s get married.”
Apple Of My Eye
Knox hadn’t expected to be overwhelmed by the moment. He knew he loved Thea, knew he wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with her.
But wearing the clothes, having his brothers show up unexpectedly, knowing Amber was watching through Jolie’s phone, being surrounded by friends, new and old? Overwhelmed he was.
Then he’d spied his bride through the trees.
Walking toward him through their orchard. He’d never seen her in a dress and this one fit her perfectly. The top tugged her curves, showed off her strong arms. The skirt swung around her gorgeous legs and he hoped he didn’t drool. She was heart-stoppingly gorgeous. Even better, she was heart-stoppingly brilliant and kind and wonderful.
And about to be his.
Fox loped towards her through the trees and gave her his traditional hug.
Knox wanted to cheer, knowing how much she’d wanted the dog to be part of their day. Thea looked up and her eyes locked with his. His heart damn near exploded with love at that moment.
With her hand ruffling the dog’s fur, Thea walked toward him. She murmured something to the dog and then Fox trotted up to Knox and gave him the same hug he’d gave Thea.
The dog had added Knox to the morning hug routine and it made him feel like a part of the farm’s family. Truly part of the whole place.
When Thea reached him as well, he couldn’t stop himself from taking her hands and then pouring himself into the kiss.
When they broke apart, Troy laughed as he raised his voice to the small crowd. “Without knowing, you’ve continued in one of the many fine Phail traditions. Your farm might only be Phail-adjacent, but kissing the bride before the ceremony, that’s full Phail fun. Well done.”
Troy gestured at them. “It’s a pleasure today to join you two in marriage. I’ve known Annie for a few years and he’s a great guy. We’re all glad you found your way to Phail and to the apple of your eye.”
Knox and Thea groaned along with the rest of the group.
Troy continued. “It’s an a-peeling place to be, and it’s great to see you both blossom here on the farm.”
The groans turned to laughter.
Even as he laughed with the rest, Knox kept his eyes on Thea as Troy talked them through the ceremony. Truth was, he couldn’t look away.
You Wormed Your Way Into My Heart
Thea hadn’t ever attended a wedding before but she’d bet her Worminator that none of them were as silly as this one. Troy was the perfect officiant for them. If she’d had any nerves, his puns would have made them vanish.
Even as Troy spoke, Thea couldn’t tear her eyes from Knox. Her everything.
Troy turned to her. “It’s time for your vows. Unless you’ve decided he’s a bad apple, why don’t you go first, Thea?
Laughing, she exchanged the flowers she carried for a ring that Jolie had been holding. Then she took a deep breath and smiled at Knox. “I came to this farm because my car broke down nearby, and I didn’t have the money to go anywhere else. I was lucky enough to hear Jay and some of his buddies talking about farming. Next thing I knew he’d offered me a job with terrible pay but a safe place to live and the pleasure of his company. At the time I thought it was the best deal I’d ever made.”
She squeezed his hands. “But it was only the beginning. When you came whistling through the orchard that first day, I was terrified that Jay’s heirs would want to immediately sell the farm. Instead, you chose to believe in Jay’s vision, and start to bring this farm to life.”
She took Knox’s hand again. “Even better, you saw me. The real me. And you let me see the real you. You’re everything I could ever want in my life. Kind. Giving. Loving. I didn’t believe in love, at least not for me. But now I know love is real, and that it truly makes everything better.”
She swallowed hard. “I love you with everything I am, Knox. I promise to respect and cherish you for the rest of my life.”
Her voice started to shake so she rolled her lips together and drew in a deep breath. She’d said all she needed to. She slipped the simple band they’d chosen on his finger.
Knox leaned down and brushed a soft kiss across her lips. He smiled at her. “I love you so much, Thea. You’re the strongest person I know. Definitely the most passionate about compost.”
She grinned as the group laughed.
“You dazzled me from the beginning. Your passion for the farm, your love of the land, of Fox and Jay, your determination to make the world a better place, one tree at a time.”
“To borrow one of Troy’s puns, you give me all the peels.”
She laughed at that one, and he leaned down to kiss her briefly again.
“I’m thrilled to be your family, Thea. I promise to always have your back, to walk at your side, and to love your for all the decades we have ahead of us.”
He lifted her finger and slipped on the wedding band that matched the engagement ring he’d given her.
Having the ring on her finger had tears filling her eyes. They were committed to each other in the most marvellous of ways. With love and so many hopes for the future.
She lifted on her toes and pressed her lips to his. “I love you, so much Knox.”
His arms banded around her, keeping her steady and safe. “I love you, Thea. You’re everything.”
And then they were kissing again as Troy pronounced them husband and wife. “May you live apple-y ever after.”
And they did.
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this bonus scene to the Heroes To The Core Romance series!
The next book in the series is Pick Your Battles spotlighting Ford and Jolie
