Pick Yourself Up: The Wedding
All Dressed Up
Amber grinned at the totally finished and ready to go Apple-y Ever After room.
The paint worked perfectly with the decor. She’d used Stan Phail’s family photo as the centerpiece on one wall and surrounded it with more photos of Stan’s farm.
Fun items also graced the walls and the surfaces. Burnished brass apples, apples made of blown glass that shimmered in the light streaming through the windows.
The ancient school chalk boards decorated with apples on the edges added a touch of whimsy without being cheesy. She would use them to write welcome messages to the guests.
Because she would have guests. Very soon.
Excitement and nerves rippled through her. The online booking system was running and they would have their first guests arriving in a few weeks.
Four of the eight rooms were booked. With strangers.
Before that, she’d asked her new friends from Phail to fill the rooms to give her a practice run at running the Inn.
The Inn Cider Inn was a reality.
Soon it would be open to the public, but today was just for them.
Jolie knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for a response. “Are you ready?”
Amber laughed. “I am, which is a good thing as you didn’t give me a chance to answer.”
Not in the least bit repentant, Jolie hugged her then dragged her over to the full length mirror in the corner. They’d found it in the attic of the Inn. After a bit of sanding and refinishing, it gleamed. A perfect touch of romance and polish to the room.
Jolie edged Amber to stand in front of it while she hovered over her shoulder. Then she hugged her and Amber leaned into her.
Jolie’s voice held a hint of tears. “They’d all be so proud of you. And happy for you. I know they wish they could be here with you, even if just for the day.”
Amber blinked back tears as she nodded. “I miss them so much, Joles.”
Her sister nodded. “Me too. But they’re always with us.”
She nodded. Her parents and Fox were with her every day, guiding and supporting her. Making her who she was. Their love was her foundation. Same with her siblings.
Another knock sounded on the door but this time it didn’t open.
After another hug, Jolie released her to answer it.
Burke crossed into the room, looking handsome and happy. A look she wanted to see more from her brother.
“Ready to get married, Amber?”
Her eyes filled again and she blinked the tears away. She didn’t want blotchy skin and red eyes in the photos.
Burke hugged her. “You’re gorgeous, Amber. Claus is going to fall at your feet. You ready for this?”
To spend her life with Gray? “Absolutely.”
He grinned and held out his elbow. “Then let’s get started on your—” he paused and looked at the sign on the door. “On your Apple-y Ever After.”
No Place To Go
Gray wanted to pace the front room of the Inn Cider Inn but he managed to keep still. Mostly.
Amber’s Inn would be a reality soon. She’d worked so hard for months to get it ready for a spring opening. One that would coincide with the blossoms popping out on the apple trees.
And the spring flowers in his gardens popping to life. He’d been preparing for this day for weeks. Spring in Vermont was capricious and he hadn’t been able to rely on Mother Nature to provide flowers for the day.
Instead, he’d been growing flowers from seeds in every south facing window in the Inn. And a few more in the farmhouse. Then more under the grow lights.
It had been worth it.
While Amber had been upstairs getting ready for the ceremony upstairs, he’d had his friends help him set up the room. And the bedroom in the owner’s suite.
Today and tonight would be special in every way.
Flowers filled the room. Not cut flowers, but pots of overflowing blooms. All flowers of hope and promise.
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses. Wild Columbine and spring beauties. Roses and snowdrops.
The colors filled the space and scented the air. He knew his mamma and Angelina would approve of the abundance.
And of the woman.
Music hummed in the background. Soft and jazzy. Sexy. And when it changed, he knew.
His eyes arrowed in on the stairs. She was coming.
Jolie arrived first, bright and beautiful in her dress that echoed the flowers in the room.
She crossed the room and hugged him, then joined her brothers at his side. He and Amber hadn’t wanted anything formal. Instead they’d wanted a gathering of friends.
The fact that she hadn’t wanted just the two of them had been a bit of a surprise. But she’d wanted her family. Their new friends. Neighbors and friends from Phail and Midnight Lake filled the space.
None of them could tear his attention away from the steps.
Finally, she appeared on the arm of her brother, with Boomer walking at her other side. He knew the dog and Boss Man were there but Gray didn’t spare them a look.
His entire vision, his entire being, was captured by Amber.
His fiancée. His bride. About to be his wife.
His family.
All he truly needed.
She wore something soft and lacy, silk and lace swirling around her knees as she and Burke descended the stair case that had been made for this moment.
Her eyes captured his. Joy. Love.
He couldn’t see a sign of worries or nerves about the group watching.
Just joy.
Unable to stop himself, Gray moved forward and met the pair at the bottom of the staircase.
Burke laughed. “You’re usually better at following instructions, Claus.”
Gray didn’t bother to answer. Instead, he cupped Amber’s face in his hands and rested his forehead on hers. “You’re beautiful. Inside and out. I love you.”
Her smile widened. “I love you.”
She’d barely finished the words before he captured her smile and her words with a kiss.
'Fess Up
Amber’s brain fuzzed when Gray lifted his head from the kiss.
She thought she’d still be dizzy from his kisses when she was a hundred.
Burke cleared his throat noisily, making everyone laugh. Then he hugged her. “Happy for you, Amber.”
When he shook Gray’s hand, he growled. “Make her happy. Always.”
Gray laughed at the implied threat in Burke’s tone. “You got it, Boss Man. That’s my mission in life.”
Knox stood at a tall table with a pot of the daisies she loved on it. Then she realized the entire room was filled with flowers. She leaned her head into Gray’s shoulder. “The flowers are amazing. Thank you.”
“Anything for you, Amber. Always.”
Knox grinned. “That sounds like my cue to get on with the ceremony. It’s a huge pleasure to marry the two of you today. Especially here in this space you’ve transformed from a worn down farmhouse to a welcoming Inn surrounded by incredible gardens.”
Her brother gazed at her and his smile softened. “I’m so happy to see you happy, Amber. You’ve always worked so hard to make others happy, to take care of their needs. This Inn will thrive because of you and the love you bring to it. Your marriage will do the same.”
He grinned and turned to Gray. “We know that you’ll do anything for our sister. And we know you’d do that even if we weren’t here threatening you.”
Amber sighed heavily, making all her brothers laugh. Gray leaned down with a smile to kiss her. “Want me to beat him up?”
She laughed and kissed him back. “Not this time. I only want good memories of today.”
Knox chuckled as she reached up to kiss Gray. “Troy told me that the local wedding traditions include the groom not waiting to kiss his bride. Glad to see you’re both embracing those traditions. Who wants to say their vows first?”
Gray gestured at her then took both her hands in his. His eyes filled with love and had her taking a deep breath and forgetting about the people watching them.
“I love you, Gray. You’re such a good man. Your mamma and your sister would be so proud of the man you are. And they would love the gardens you’re creating here that honor them both.”
Gray’s eyes misted and he squeezed her hands.
She blinked away her own tears and swallowed. “From the first moment I saw those dark eyes, I knew everything would be okay. I knew you were the kind of man who would save the day. And me. I started to fall in love with you from that first moment.”
She drew in another breath to steady her voice. “When you moved here, the world was suddenly a safer place. And a much more interesting one.”
The group chuckled and Gray’s smile lit her up.
She squeezed his hands and managed to finish her vows. “I love you, Gray. Forever and with all my heart. I promise to love you forever.”
Apple-y Ever After
Gray had to swallow hard to contain his emotion. Amber hated being the center of attention. She preferred to watch and celebrate others.
Today, she’d spoken what was in her heart in front of their friends and family. For him.
He brushed a soft kiss over her forehead. “You’re the most amazing woman, Amber. Strong and fierce. In those first moments, I started falling for you as well. You put yourself at serious risk in order to do your job and protect a person you hadn’t met. I wish I’d been earlier to stop them hurting you at all.”
Amber leaned on her toes to kiss him lightly. “I’m okay. Thanks to you.”
He swallowed and smiled. “You’re more than okay. You’re amazing. Bright and thoughtful. Kind and giving. I want to be rocking out on that porch with you for decades to come.”
She smiled and whispered. “Me too.”
Man he loved this woman. “I promise to cherish you for every moment of those decades. Boomer and I will be at your side and at your back. We’re going to have an amazing life, Amber. I love you.”
And then he kissed her for real. With all the love and desire and hope that he felt poured into the kiss.
Finally, Boomer barked and he lifted his head to notice the people around them cheering and laughing. Gray grinned and ruffled the dog’s head. Amber laughed an leaned into his chest.
Knox sighed dramatically. “I guess I should repeat myself in case you missed it. You’re married. I hope you live Apple-y Ever After.”
The room erupted in more cheers so Gray did the only thing he could. He tilted up Amber’s chin and kissed her again.
Time's Up
Amber’s cheeks hurt from smiling.
Boomer sat beside her as she sat on the inn’s staircase. In both the front rooms, people laughed and danced. Ate the food everyone had contributed. Sipped at the champagne.
Between the inn and the farmhouse, they were hosting all the wedding guests for the night so everyone could have a glass or two of champagne. Or some of the craft beer from the Phail Brewery. Maybe she could get them to brew a specific beer for the Inn. Although getting someone to make cider would be better.
Boomer yawned and rested his head on her lap. She ruffled his fur. “Is thinking about business boring during a wedding?”
Gray grinned at her from across the room and approached, making her heart wobble. Hers. This gorgeous man was hers.
Forever.
His eyes darkened as he moved toward her and her entire body shimmered.
He dropped onto the step beside her and tucked her under his arm. He greeted Boomer with a head rub and leaned in to kiss Amber. “We’re married.”
She laughed and kissed him back. “We are.” Which brought her such joy. Not only did she have her family around her and her dog. She had her husband and a home.
She wished she could go back in time to tell that scared little nine year old that life would be good.
Fox would give them all a precious home and the strength to keep moving forward.
His brother would give the siblings another opportunity to create a home together.
And her job would bring her to this inn, this property, and to the man she loved more than she’d thought possible.
Gray brushed his hand over her cheek and kissed her softly. “We should celebrate that.”
It took her a second to make the connection. Celebrate being married. “I like that idea.”
His grin turned feral and in one smooth move, he stood with her cradled in his arms. Her favorite place to be.
Boomer barked happily and announced to the room that they were leaving. Not that they could have escaped quietly anyway.
Gray turned to the crowd. “Thanks for everything. Don’t burn the place down. We’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe.”
Laughter and cheers followed his words. Face flaming, Amber leaned into him and waved at the group. “Thank you.”
Teasing comments and best wishes followed them as Gray strode through the room and into the kitchen. Boomer followed on their heels and led the way to the owner’s suite.
Once inside, Gray leaned against the door. He grinned at her. “Turn the bolt for me.”
She grinned and did as he asked. No one would bother them but Gray never forgot about security.
Once the bolt was thrown, Gray adjusted his stance and slid Amber down his body until her feet touched the floor. Then he framed her face. “I know it makes me a caveman but I love that you’re mine. All mine.”
A laugh burst out of her. “I can let it slide because I love that you’re all mine.”
His lips coasted over her face and sent shivers everywhere. Then he pulled out his phone and pressed something. Sexy, jazzy music filled the air and he set the phone down on the table and swayed her into a dance.
As he turned them around she got a better look at their rooms. Flowers filled the space. Her favorite daisies in every color and more flowers than she could name. “Gray. The flowers. They’re gorgeous.”
He twirled her into a dance, holding her close. “Just like my wife.”
For long minutes, they swayed to the music and he turned them through the living room and into the bedroom where more flowers graced the dresser and night stand.
A bottle of champagne chilled in a bucket and two flutes stood ready.
Gray stopped them beside the champagne. “I think a private toast is in order.”
He popped the cork and poured, then handed her a glass. “To us. To the future. It’s going to be amazing.”
She held up her glass. “To us. To our future. To you. Thanks for loving me and giving me a home.”
He grinned. “I think the home part is all you, Amber.”
She tapped his glass. “To us then. To forever.”
“Forever.”
Saddle Up
Gray sprawled over the bed, trying to draw air into his lungs. Every time he and Amber made love it was better. And better.
Maybe his caveman was showing but making love with his wife made him feel like a conquering hero. Watching his wife shatter into thousands of brilliant shining pieces satisfied him in every possible way.
He managed to lift his arms and cradle Amber where she’d collapsed on his chest. At the touch she stirred and hummed, the sound full of sated pleasure.
Which of course revved his body right back up again.
She giggled and squirmed against him.
He ran his hands over her ass and pressed her into him even harder. “Gotta get rid of the condom. Be right back.”
She sighed and shifted to the side. When he returned to the bed, she held up the covers and he slid in then tucked her under him.
He leaned up to study her. His wife. That was never going to get old.
“So, husband, how’s it feel to be married?”
Her happy smile had him kissing her again and his body tightening predictably. Already.
He pressed her down into the mattress. “Better than I even imagined.”
“Me too. I love you, Gray.”
“Love you, too. So damn much.”
The kisses dialed hotter and in no time he was reaching for the condoms laid out on the nightstand.
Amber reached out and laid her hand on his. “Do we need one?”
He whipped his gaze back to her. Studied the love and desire he saw sparkling back at him. “I’d love to see a little girl with that smile, glorious hair and indomitable spirit running around the farm. Are you sure?”
Her smile answered him before he even asked the question. “Or a little boy full of adventure and kindness who is always ready to take on the world and make it better.”
A baby. A family.
“I’m Italian. I won’t want to stop at one baby.”
Her laugh sparkled. “Me neither. You’re sure?”
If his body was any more sure, he was going to explode before he even got inside her. “Completely. Let’s make a baby.”
She cupped his face. “You’re going to be the best dad.”
Emotion swamped him. He hoped like hell that was true. “We’re going to make this a real home, Amber. Filled with love and chaos.”
She laughed. “It’s going to be fabulous.”
And it was.
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 And Choose spotlighting Nash and Olivia
