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She led him back to the door, and to his relief, her hand ar to be okay, for today at least And h the way he hoped they would, everything would be even better soon…
…
The next half hour went by in a blur There was aof the face conducted by Cat and Courtney, the locating of a slightly muddy veil, and then asecond one down the aisle And once again, Lacey stood in front of the rip If roses produced juice, she could have provided their wedding party with soes by now
The blood buzzed in her ears as Galen turned to face her and Cat stuffed a ring into her hand This must be it She cleared her throat and waited for her cue The officiant , but the next words stood out loud and clear She was both surprised and grateful at the feeling of total cal; this ht They’d deal hatever ca up on the dreaave a painful squeeze at the thought, but she shoved it away The love of her life had so to say to her
"I, Galen, take you, Lacey" Galen’s gorgeous brown eyes glealow that had started as a tiny ember in her heart spread outward She didn’t take her eyes off hier
Now her turn
"To be my lawfully wedded husband To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish till death do us part" She repeated the words, coer, the guests erupted into cheers
"I now pronounce you husband and wife You ed her close and bent low, lifting her veil He kissed one corner of herher full on the lips "I love you, Mrs Thorin He scooped her up into his arms, and she let out a squeal
"You’re not supposed to carry me yet!"
"I’m your husband now I can carry you if I want to"
She was pretty sure that hadn’t been part of their vows, but she wasn’t about to argue He cut through the croolf-whistled and only encouraged him, and carried her into the center tent, to set her on the dance floor
The beginning of their wedding song began to play, and she wrapped her arether in perfect rhyth felt so easy It wouldn’t always be that way, but for tonight, it was enough
After dinner and a lovely chaot a little loose She and Galen were grinding on the dance floor when the DJ called her over to a chair in the center
"Mrs Thomas, I think you knohat time it is"
She was a little buzzed and h, she realized that it was alarter belt to cootten all about that The DJ called for all the single ladies to coe, and Cat and Courtney wound up in front Lacey eyed theet it straight to Cat, and then she spun around The crowd cheered, and she let it rip She turned around just in time to see Cat slip on a napkin and Courtney reach up a hand instinctively to avoid taking a bouquet straight to the face
Cat righted herself and busted out laughing at the horror on Courtney’s face
"Aw, honey, it’s just an old wives tale You’ll be fine"
Courtney nodded, looking dazed
Next it was up to Galen to get the garter He led Lacey to the chair of honor She peered down at her husband, who looked extrerinned "I put it up high, handsoht be there for a while"
His smile in return was ripe with prootta do what a otta do"
And boy, did he He slid his hands slowly, excruciatingly over her ankles and then higher to trace the ht?" she asked breathlessly
"Hoould I know that unless I checked?"
Their guests started hooting and screa and by the time he’d retrieved his prize, Lacey had broken out in a fine sweat He bent low and pressed a kiss to the inside of her knee "I think we needthe blue garter on his finger
"Single guys, front and center," he called The men lined up, and when he tossed it over his shoulder, it was headed straight for Shane Then, a hand shot out and snagged it froasped as Rafe held his prize aloft She shot a glance at Courtney, who looked like she’d been gut-punched She wet her lips nervously and see whether to back out or not when Rafe turned toward her with asmile
"Ready for me, Court?" he asked He didn’t wait for an answer and instead walked toward her Walked? Hell, he stalked, like a lion approaching his prey Even Galen was iarter on her or eat her?"
Lacey shrugged "Maybe both, if she’s lucky," she whispered Her husband chuckled and pulled her closer to settle in and enjoy the show