“It’s time,” Emma Wade said quietly as she handed Autumn her bridal bouquet.
“Yay!” Blue exclaimed with a twirl, the knee-length light blue tulle dress she wore lifting as if floating around her.
Autumn didn’t have the heart to shush her, despite knowing everyone in the church on the other side of the closed doors had to have heard. This was a day of happiness for so many. Her gaze moved to the ribbon-wrapped bouquet of bluebells and baby’s breath she held in her hands. Tucker had special ordered the flowers for their wedding in memory of her sister. It had been such a thoughtful thing for him to do, considering his past with Summer. But then Tucker was that kind of man.
“My sentiments exactly,” Tucker’s momma said with a smile as she handed Blue the basket of silk rose petals she was to carry with her down the aisle. Ones the same shade as Autumn’s bouquet. “Remember what you’re supposed to do?”
Her niece nodded. “Put them on the floor so Aunt Autumn’s dress can scoop them up.”
Emma laughed softly. “Such a smart girl. Now Grandma’s going to go take her seat in the pew. When the music starts, Mrs. Pratt will open these doors and then you start down the aisle to your daddy. Your aunt Autumn will be right behind you.”
She was so grateful to have Emma there. Tucker’s momma had welcomed Autumn into her home for the three months she and Tucker had decided to wait to be married. Tonight, she would be sleeping in her own home, Tucker’s home, where they would start their life together raising Blue and any other children the good Lord saw fit to bless them with.
Emma stepped over to give Autumn an affectionate kiss on the cheek. “You look beautiful, honey.”
“Thank you, Emma. I feel beautiful today.”
“Grady and I are going to miss having you with us, but I’m getting something I’ve wanted for a very long time,” she said with a tender smile. “A daughter.”
“And I’m getting something I’ve only ever dreamed of having. A mother,” Autumn said, giving Emma a loving hug.
Tears filled the older woman’s eyes as she slipped into the church, closing the door behind her.
Moments later, the organ began to play and the large, ornate church door swung open. And there, at the end of the aisle, stood the man who held her heart, his two brothers by his side.
His gaze locked with hers and a wide smile slid across his tanned face.
Blue gave a quick wave to her daddy, who waved right back, before setting off down the white runner tossing flower petals to and fro with youthful exuberance. As soon as she reached the altar, her niece took her place next to Hope, who had flown from Texas with Logan to be Autumn’s matron of honor.
The “Wedding March” began to play and it was all Autumn could do not to run to Tucker in her eagerness to be at his side now and forevermore. Instead, she forced herself to move toward him in slow, mindful steps, taking it all in as she made her way past the rows of friends and family who had come to witness their becoming man and wife in the eyes of God.
As if reading her mind, or perhaps feeling the same need to be by her side, Tucker stepped toward her, meeting her halfway where he crooked his arm. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to start our marriage the way we’re going to live our lives together—meeting each other halfway and traveling down the road of life as one.”
“I’d love nothing more,” she told him as she slipped her arm through his. She would gain so much that day. A husband who loved her, the opportunity to take part in the raising of her precious niece, a family to call her own and a place to finally call home. She was truly blessed.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story, pick up these other
books by Kat Brookes:
HER TEXAS HERO
HIS HOLIDAY MATCHMAKER
THEIR SECOND CHANCE LOVE
Available now from Love Inspired!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from HIS NEW AMISH FAMILY by Patricia Davids.
Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003