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The following week, the sun shined brightly on a beautiful Saturday—the day of her quick wedding to Jake Carsen.
Sylvie could not believe she was actually doing this. This was really happening now, wasn’t it?
She was getting married. And not just to anyone. In a few hours, she would be Mrs. Carsen. Her heart fluttered in her chest just thinking about it. A wave of hope and love rolled over her.
Never would she have thought that she would enter into an arranged marriage of convenience. But here she was. And although this was a huge step for her. She felt it in her heart that it was the right step.
This was just what she’d needed. And she’d prayed and asked God for a sign if it was not the right thing to do. To show her the way. And well...
The sky was a cloudless blue. It all seemed so perfect.
Pastor Dave from the Sweet Rivers Church stood at the altar.
“You look beautiful, sis,” Louisa said to Sylvie. Louisa had the honor of being Sylvie’s maid of honor, even though this was all short notice.
In fact, it was Sylvie’s future sister-in-law, Jemma, who helped pick out lovely dresses at a nice bridal shop in town that was also well within their budgets.
“Thanks, Lou, so do you,” Sylvie said.
She was glad her sister encouraged her to go through with this. Not that she needed much encouragement.
The whole Carsen family was there at the ranch. They decided to have a nice ranch-style wedding at one of the renovated barns on the land, the one that was used for parties and receptions. It was a beautiful, massive place and she really appreciated how the family decorated everything so fast.
She’d already met her future sisters-in-laws at the family dinner at the main house. The families met up at least once a week.
Closeness.
She loved the way Jake and his family were tight and stuck together like honey on bread. She wanted to be a part of that.
If only this were a real wedding that would last forever. The way she felt with Jake, she hadn’t felt with no other man in her life before. Not even with her ex.
Jake had something special. She loved the way she felt around him. And she loved how he was with her little son.
Funny, she’d always dreamed of having a country wedding. A nice rustic-style reception.
“Mommy, you look pretty,” Jackson said and her heart melted. She leaned down to kiss him on the cheek.
“Thank you, sweetie. You look very handsome in your suit.” She was thrilled that her sister was able to get a nice suit for Jackson just in time while she looked around for more items for her wedding. She had no idea how much would be involved for such a short-notice small wedding. Then she realized. There was nothing small about any wedding.
Her son beamed and they proceeded to the altar.
Just then Luke came by to take her down the aisle since she didn’t have a father to do the honors.
Luke, one of Jake’s adoptive brothers—and the first of the bunch to get married as per their father’s will, was so sweet to offer to walk her down the aisle. She appreciated him stepping in like that.
Her heart squeezed in her chest, thinking this would all be over soon. This wonderful family of sweet cowboys and caring brothers would be out of her life soon.
The thought caused her to tumble emotionally but then she realized this was her big day. Fake wedding or not, she’d make the best of it.
***
Her groom-to-be was gorgeous!
When she got to the altar, her eyes swept over the tall, handsome cowboy standing before her as she faced him. Jake looked dashing in his dark tuxedo and cowboy hat.
His eyes captured hers and her heart turned over in her chest. He held her gaze for a moment with his beautiful eyes, then his sweet lips parted as he whispered to her, “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she whispered back. “So do you...I mean, you look handsome.”
A sexy grin curved his lips and for a fleeting moment she believed this was real. They were really falling in love. But were they? Or was it just the mood and the atmosphere, the magic of weddings?
“Dear friends and family,” Pastor Dave from the Sweet Rivers Church started, “We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Jake Carsen and Sylvie Rose in marriage.”
In marriage.
The words went straight to her heart. Why couldn’t this be real?
Her son looked jovial and excited as he watched. Her heart tugged in her chest knowing that after the year was done, they would be apart.
But she knew this would be her last chance to do what she had to do. She wasn’t getting any younger. She had to do this right.
Focus on the ceremony, Sylvie. Focus on your vows. One day at a time. One thought at a time.
Jake took off his sexy cowboy hat for the vows out of respect.
“We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the joining of Jake and Sylvie in marriage. With love and commitment, they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.”
Love and commitment?
She knew how she felt about him. She was growing attracted to him every moment she was with him. But could they be committed to each other after they’d agreed this would be a marriage in name only?
“May you always need one another, not to fill an emptiness, but to help one another know your fullness,” Pastor Dave moments later in the ceremony. “May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you embrace one another...”
The words struck a chord with her and she could tell it did with Jake too. Was he having thoughts about making this real? Deep down in her heart and soul she prayed so.
Later in the ceremony, Pastor Dave said, “Do you Jake, take Sylvie to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?"
“I do,” Jake said in his sexy deep voice, his gaze never wavering from hers. How could this not be real?
“And do you Sylvie, take Jake to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” she said, without hesitation as she looked into Jake’s loving eyes.
After they did the ring exchange, Pastor Dave said, “By the power vested in me by the State of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Joy filled her heart and she heard everyone clapping as the preacher said. “You may kiss your bride,” to Jake.
Jake leaned down and his sweet lips captured hers in a passionate loving kiss. Waves of tingles swept down her spine and through her belly.
What a kiss!
This man could really kiss. And he was her husband. For now at least.
Everyone clapped and cheered and threw confetti.
What a magical moment.
But the trouble was, this was only a moment. What was going to happen now?