“Honey, I think I have enough hair spray.” Luanne shielded her eyes from the aerosol attack.

Honey’s laugh could be heard back in Texas. “Oh, girl, you can never have too much hair spray, or good lovin’.”

Luanne examined herself in the mirror, then glanced around the room at Scarlett fussing with Aiden’s bow tie, Kyle coordinating things with the caterer, and Mimi and Leslie arranging the bouquets, and had to agree with Honey. “I guess you’re right.”

She was marrying Jack Avery in twenty minutes. Who could’ve ever predicted that? The ceremony was being held in Mimi’s church, with only family and a few of Mimi’s friends. They hadn’t done it as soon as Jack had wanted. She’d had to return to Zachsville to pass her cases off to another attorney in town, close her bank accounts, and sell her house and her car. That last one had hurt—she did love that car—but when she came to Jack it would be with every tie to her father severed.

Not only had it been about finishing with the past, it had been about securing a wonderful future. Details had to be hashed out. Excitement zipped through her at the thought of the new challenge before her. She wasn’t talking about living with her new husband, although that was sure to be an adventure. She was now an equal partner with Gavin and Jack in Honey Child Records.

Her birth family was nowhere to be seen, but the family of her heart was in attendance, and treating her like she was the most important thing in the world.

“Lou, look how adorable he is.” Scarlett stood Aiden up on a chair to show him off. Aiden promptly stuck his finger in his nose.

“He is adorable. Looks just like his father.”

Scarlett laughed. “Aiden, get your finger out of there.”

The kid giggled and kissed her on the lips.

Kyle clapped his hands. “Okay, ladies, it’s go time. Take your seats and your places and the bride and I will be out shortly.”

Scarlett hugged her and whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful, and so happy.”

She squeezed her best friend and matron of honor’s hand. “I’ve never been happier.”

“You swear on the collective souls of NSYNC?”

Luanne laughed. “I swear.”

Scarlett’s smile was beautiful. “See you at the altar.”

When the room was empty except for her and Kyle she blew out a huge breath. She wasn’t nervous at all—she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she and Jack were meant to be together. But the adrenaline overload made it hard to breathe.

Kyle smoothed out the fabric of her flowing wedding dress and adjusted the flower halo in her hair. “You look like a fairy princess. The silver in the dress brings out the light blue flecks in your irises so beautifully.”

She caught his hand and brought it to her lips. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for a thing.” He kissed her forehead. “I loved every minute of it.”

How he’d pulled together a wedding in only a few months was beyond her. She kissed his cheek. “Still, I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”

“I’m sorry your grandmother chose not to attend.” He handed her the bouquet.

“Me too, but I’m really okay with it.” She’d invited Gigi, but her grandmother had declined…by text. She’d also received an email stating that she’d been cut out of the will. That had been the most freeing day of her life.

“Thank you for the privilege of walking you down the aisle.” He straightened his tie in the mirror and smoothed back his hair.

He’d become more of a father to her in a few short months than Marcus had been in her whole life. “Who else would I pick? You’re my fairy godfather.”

He chucked her under the chin. “And don’t you ever forget it. Ready?”

She slipped her hand through his crooked arm. “Ready.”

* * *

It was a perfect day. Not a cloud in the sky, and the temperature was in the low sixties, but Jack was sweating like a pig.

“You okay, son?” Mitch slapped him on the back.

“Yeah.”

“You sure? You look a little green.”

Jack chuckled and scrubbed his face. “I’m not nervous about marrying, Luanne. I’m positive about that decision. It’s just…”

“Your dad?”

Emotion welled up in him and he couldn’t speak, so he nodded.

“I understand. He’ll come around. This is hard stuff. You can’t blame him for needing some time to process it.”

“You’re right. I know you’re right. I’d hoped he’d change his mind and come.”

“I get it. There’s no substitute for your dad.”

Jack squeezed Mitch’s shoulder. “Hey, you’re my dad too, and I’m happy about that.” And he was. Over the last few months, he and Mitch had begun to forge a relationship that he was grateful for.

Mitch looked away and blinked several times. “Me too, son.”

Jack’s world shifted off its axis and he sucked in a sharp breath.

“What?”

“He’s here.” Jack could barely speak around the ball of emotion in his throat.

Mitch did cry then. “Well, damn it, now I’m crying. I’m going to find my seat. I’m happy for you, Jack, for so many things.”

“Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”

“I’m going to find my seat before I make a scene.” He shook Jack’s hand and went to sit by Mimi.

Jack made his way to his father, who looked small in a suit that used to fit him but was now a size too large. “Hey, Dad.”

“Jack.”

“I’m so happy you came.”

For a minute his father looked uncertain, then he grabbed Jack in a bear hug. “Of course I came. My son’s getting married. Besides, your mama would kill me if I missed this.”

They broke apart, both wiping tears and laughing.

His dad shoved his hands in the pockets of his slacks. “But I can’t stay after and meet these people. Not yet, and maybe not ever. You understand?”

“Absolutely.”

“But you bring that new wife of yours to our house, and we’ll have a proper Cajun celebration.” He patted Jack’s cheek. “I love you, son.”

“I love you too, Dad.”

Ray pointed toward the altar. “Looks like things are about to start. I’ll sit back here if that’s okay.” He indicated the last row of chairs.

“It’s perfectly fine. I’ll call you in a couple of days.”

“You better.”

Jack made his way down the aisle of Mimi’s little church to the pastor. When he got to his spot Gavin shook his hand. “You ready for this, Jackson?”

“You bet your life I am.”

The music started, Beau began to sing, and a hush fell over the crowd.

“Who’s that?” Gavin said from the corner of his mouth.

“My cousin,” Jack whispered back.

“Did you sign him?” Gavin asked.

“Workin’ on it.”

“Work harder. We need him.”

He agreed, but when he saw Luanne and Kyle come through the double doors of the sanctuary, all thoughts of his cousin vanished. Gorgeous. A huge smile split his face when their eyes met. But when she saw him, she stumbled a step and pulled Kyle to a stop. His heart froze. What was she doing? He tried to ignore the voice in his head screaming, She’s a runner.

She whispered something in Kyle’s ear, and tried to tug her hand from his arm, while Kyle shook his head and tried to pull her back. When she got free, she picked up the front of her dress.

He’d seen this move before—it was how she’d looked when she ran out of the wedding venue the first time. Panic bloomed in his chest. Oh, hell no. But before he could take a step to go after her, she was running down the aisle to him.

When she was only a few steps away, she leaped. He caught her, and swung her around.

“You had me scared for a minute, trouble.”

She held his face in her hands. “Don’t be afraid. If I’m running, It’s only to be with you, sweet talker.”