Chapter 29
was her wedding day. She and Dawson waited until after her shop was done being rebuilt. That way, it was one less stressor for them. The contractor had worked double-time, getting the rebuild done in four months.
The shop was doing better than ever. So much better, Zoey had to hire an assistant. She smiled as she watched her mother in the mirror.
“I can’t believe my baby is getting married.” Katrina dabbed at a stray tear.
“Mom, don’t cry because I’ll start and mess up my makeup.”
“I’m just so proud of you. Your dad would be too.”
Katrina had agreed to walk Zoey down the aisle since her dad died when she was younger. Zoey stood up, straightening her dress. It was a pure white satin gown that hugged her curves. The straps were covered in fabric flowers.
Zoey had opted to forgo the veil, pulling her hair up into a simple side twist. Baby’s breath was strategically placed in the fold of her twist, giving her a soft look. She and Dawson had married on the beach behind her mother’s house. Neither of them wanted a big wedding, so the setting was perfect.
“You ready?”
Donnelly. Besides being the fire chief, Donnelly was an ordained minister and happily agreed to marry them. Now, waiting at the end of the manmade walkway, Dawson fidgeted nervously in anticipation.
“Stop fidgeting.” The Chief patted his shoulder.
“I can’t help it.” Dawson smiled at him. “I want this to hurry so I can call her my wife.”
Donnelly laughed. “Soon enough, my friend. Soon enough.”
The music started, warning him of Zoey’s arrival. When Dawson glanced toward the end of the white runner, his breath left his lungs. Her red hair was swept up off her neck, littered with tiny white flowers. Her silken dress hugged her curves, leaving little to his imagination. Dawson shuffled on his feet, trying to hide the massive boner he could feel growing.
She was beautiful.
His eyes followed her as she glided up the walkway towards him. Her mother held her arm as she walked next to Zoey. He could see Katrina fighting back the tears as she escorted her daughter to him.
Dawson couldn’t stop smiling. His eyes filled with unleashed tears as Katrina handed Zoey off to him.
Dawson leaned down and placed a kiss on Katrina’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“Take care of my baby, Dawson.” Katrina kissed Zoey and took her seat in the front row.
“You look beautiful.” Dawson whispered into her ear as he gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek.
“You look pretty good, too.” Zoey giggled.
Dawson barely heard the Chief’s words as he spoke.
“Alright,” Donnelly cleared his throat, “The bride and groom have decided to share their own vows. Dawson?” He nodded to Dawson.
“Thanks.” Dawson took Zoey’s hands in his and faced her.
“Zoey. The first time I laid eyes on you was at Charlie’s. You didn’t know it, but I couldn’t take my eyes off you. Then, when our station responded to your business on a call… I knew after meeting you, I had to spend more time with you. You refused at first, but I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I wanted… no, I needed to make you mine. I know that sounds all caveman, but there was just something about you… something that called out to my soul.” Dawson took a deep breath, “Zoey, you lit my world on fire and the burn I feel for you can only by smoldered with your love. Yesterday, today, and forever, I promise to love you with all of me.”
Zoey shifted closer as Dawson slid the custom band on her ring finger. She inhaled and composed herself. Dawson’s words struck right to her core.
“Dawson. I’ve spent my life hiding. Hiding from people… Hiding from myself… Hiding from love. Then you burst into my life like a match igniting dry land. You make me feel like I’m worthy of love. That I deserve to have someone like you love, someone like me. You’ve taught me to see myself through your eyes—as a beautiful woman deserving of everything I want and have in life. The air I breathe. The ground I walk on. The life I want means nothing if you’re not part of it. I promise to love you with all that I am today, tomorrow, forever.” Zoey slid the band that matched hers onto his finger.
They laced their hands together, the black and red chrome bands gleaming in the sunlight. Chief Donnelly pronounced them husband and wife, but Zoey and Dawson had fused their lips together well before his words.
The world disappeared as they held each other close. Finally, taking a breath, Zoey and Dawson realized the crowd had erupted into cheers.
“I love you, Mrs. Ford.”
“And I love you, Mr. Ford.”
Dawson clenched Zoey’s hand tightly in his as they took their first steps as husband and wife in his as they took their first steps as husband and wife. The crew—no… her new family from station six was there to witness their nuptials, along with Zoey’s mom, and her new assistant, Lexi.
Everyone watched as Dawson and Zoey danced their first dance as a married couple. Dawson held her close, pressing tiny kisses to her neck.
Zoey spun around on the dance floor with each of the guys on Dawson’s crew. She was laughing at something Davey, the newest member on his team, had said when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“Mind if I cut in and steal back my wife?” Dawson grinned at Davey.
“She’s all yours.” He kissed her cheek and stepped back. “You’re a lucky bastard, Ford.”
“Don’t I know it?” He wrapped his wife in his arms.
“I hope he finds someone… Davey’s a good man. He’ll make some woman really happy.”
Dawson’s eyes panned his newest teammate. “He has demons of own. He keeps most people at arm’s length. It’s going to take someone special to break through his walls.” He pressed a kiss to her lips, his gaze filled with heat. “Do you think they’d be mad if we left?” He leaned in and whispered into her ear.
“Probably. Let’s give it another thirty minutes. Then we can go home, husband.”
“Damn, I love how that sounds on your lips.” His grin nearly melting her panties.
Zoey licked her lips. “I’m glad because you’re going to hear it all the time.”
He pressed a kiss against her mouth. “I’ll never be sick of hearing it.”
“I love you.” Zoey mashed her lips to his, kissing him like no one was watching. Her heart was ready to combust with love and desire. “You know what… let’s bail. I don’t care if they get mad.”
Zoey tugged his hand, leading him off the dance floor. After bidding farewell to everyone, Zoey and Dawson hurried towards his truck.
“You ready to start forever?” Dawson put the truck in drive.
“Are you ready?” Zoey smirked, pursing her lips at him.
“Baby… I was born ready.”
Zoey pinched herself. She still couldn’t believe she was married to the man sitting next to her. All her life, she felt like she wasn’t worthy of a love like this. Dawson knocked down all her barriers and set her soul on fire.
They pulled into their driveway. Dawson killed the engine. “Wait there.” He jumped out of the truck and ran around to Zoey’s side.
“Dawson, what are you doing?” Zoey smiled at her husband, standing in her doorway.
“I’m going to carry my wife over the threshold.” Dawson pulled her from the seat and cradled her in his arms.
“Dawson,” Zoey giggled.
“Zoey, I won’t get another chance to carry my wife into our house for the first time. Indulge me.”
Zoey nestled her face into the crook of his neck as he carried her through the door. Kicking it shut, Zoey whispered, “I love you, Dawson.”
“I love you, Zoey. Now—let’s start forever together.”