Epilogue
The huge chapel in Jackson Hole was filled to bursting. Rachel cracked the wooden door, peeked in, and saw all her handsome brothers lined up in the front next to Abe. Abe shifted nervously from foot to foot, his well-built body and handsome face showcased perfectly in a tailored tux. They’d gotten word days ago that Preston and Angel had been found in Brazil. They were currently being extradited to America to await trial. Abe had been strangely nonplussed, much more interested in he and Rachel’s upcoming wedding. Oh, how she loved him.
“Somebody’s anxious,” Mar said from behind her.
“Get me married already,” Rachel demanded.
Mar laughed. “Slow down, girlie. At least let Paisley and Krew walk down the aisle.”
“Yeah, Aunt Rach, let me show off my pretty dress.” Four-year old Paisley twirled in her pale blue dress, looking adorable as ever.
Krew shrugged, her new nephew was the cutest little man. “I just wanna eat cake.”
Everybody laughed.
Rachel looked around at her sisters-in-law and sister. They all smiled at her in return. She was so blessed with wonderful people in her life. Her dad stood off to the side and offered his elbow. “Let’s do this.”
Rachel walked to his side, giving him a brief hug before linking their arms.
“All right.” Mar spoke into her headset. She’d insisted on coordinating the wedding and had done an incredible job so far. Mar swung the door wide and the entire congregation seemed to turn. Rachel strained to see Abe over all the heads and was rewarded with a peek before Mar gestured her back.
Paisley skipped down the aisle, chucking her flowers at everybody. Luckily, most people laughed. Caleb’s adorable little guy, Krew, followed, a few years older and much more serious as he held the rings on a satin pillow. Mar put her headset aside and strutted after Cosette, Breeze, Jade, and Emily down the aisle. Allison went next and then Eve and finally, finally it was Rachel’s turn.
“You look beautiful, love,” her dad murmured.
Rachel turned to him. Her veil covered her face, for now, but soon everyone would see her, all of her. Her white satin dress was strapless and fitted around the bodice then flowed softly around her legs with a long train. She knew Abe would love it. She had Abe to thank for the confidence to show her face, neck, and shoulder to the world, quite literally with how much attention her and Allison’s video had gotten. “Thanks. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Then the music changed to the wedding march and they started forward. Everyone stood but luckily Abe was straight down the aisle and she could see him clearly, see the look of love and devotion in his eyes. When they reached him, and her dad placed her hand in Abe’s, she felt the rightness of it clear through.
Abe leaned in close and whispered, “You’re perfect to me, Rachel Jewel.”
She squeezed his hand and said, “I know.”
He chuckled.
The preacher raised an eyebrow at them. He proceeded with all the wedding words and she tried valiantly to pay attention but all she could think about was she and Abe. Together. They were finally together.
The preacher pronounced them man and wife and Abe lifted her veil. His gaze swept over her with appreciation and love. He gently kissed her. Rachel grinned and wrapped her arms tight around his neck, pulling herself up close to him. “Not good enough,” she whispered against his lips and then she kissed him with wild abandon.
The audience clapped and hooted, but Rachel ignored them. She was with Abe. That was all that mattered to her.
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