1

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Up to you.” His gaze moved from one officer to another. Paul Jordan was surrounded by cops. The spokesperson of the group met his gaze, then stepped forward. “What’s it going to be, buddy?”

“Come on. Let’s just for—”

“We aren’t forgetting anything. Easy or hard?”

“I need to go home.”

“Hard way it is.” The officers stepped forward, tightening the circle.

“Come on. I’m too old for a bachelor party.” He needed to go home to pack for the honeymoon.

“The way I look at it, if you’re too old for a bachelor party, then you’re too old to get married,” Jay said. He turned to the others in the group. “Am I right?”

The men hooted and hollered their agreement.

“Thanks for the support, big brother.”

“Anytime. Anytime, little brother.”

“What’s it going to be, Paul?” Eric Donelly grinned as he took another step towards him. “As your commanding officer, I think you need to listen to what I’m saying.”

“Fine. Fine. Let’s go party!” Paul held up his hands in surrender. It was the last thing he wanted to do, but it was all part of the tradition. “But there better not be any naked ladies. That’s all I’ve got to say. If there is, Maven will have my hide—and yours.”

Ray patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. Nothing like that. Just your buddies and you having a good time.”

Two hours later, Paul finally made it back to his condo, whistling “Here Comes the Bride.” He stopped in the middle of the song, unable to control the silly grin on his face. Whoever said happily ever after was only for fairytales didn’t know what they were talking about. And they sure didn’t know Maven. What a blessed man he was. Life was good.

Second marriages weren’t necessarily an easy thing to accept, but his family loved Maven. And she loved them. His daughter had not only been ecstatic when they announced their engagement, but had blessed their union as well.

And tomorrow was the big day.

Finally.

Paul walked into his bedroom and stared at the empty bed. This was the last night he’d be alone in it. Tomorrow he would marry Maven. And it couldn’t be a minute too soon as far as he was concerned. Of course, he wasn’t a starry-eyed teenager.

Whatever God had planned for Maven and himself, he knew it would be a wonderful adventure. Whatever time they had together, he would use it to make Maven happy. Just the way she made him happy.

What a woman. She’d even agreed to try camping. Of course, not in a tent. But they could rent a camper to see if she liked it enough to buy one. He laughed out loud—camping with Maven would be quite an experience.

His doorbell buzzed.

Who could that be? His brother again? No, he was probably still at the party along with most of Paul’s friends. It certainly wasn’t Maven. Lizzie Morton would make sure of that.

After the rehearsal dinner, Maven hadn’t come home with him, even though they lived next door to each other. Lizzie, her best friend, insisted Maven spend the night with her so that neither of them would be tempted to see each other on their wedding day.

Not that any of them believed in superstitions.

Still, there was something to be said for traditions. He smiled as he realized the next time he’d see Maven, she would be coming down the aisle to marry him.

He was truly blessed.

The doorbell buzzed again.

It might be his daughter, even though she said she wouldn’t be down until morning. She could have changed her mind.

Paul walked out of the bedroom. He had no more plans for the night. Whoever it was would have to understand that. He needed to spend some time with God.

Maybe, it was…

He opened the door.